Psalms 18:31

KJV

For who [is] God save the LORD? or who [is] a rock save our God?

KJV (with Strong's)

For who is God {H433} save {H1107} the LORD {H3068}? or who is a rock {H6697} save {H2108} our God {H430}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"For who is God but ADONAI? Who is a Rock but our God?

Berean Standard Bible

For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

American Standard Version

For who is God, save Jehovah? And who is a rock, besides our God,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 18:31 serves as a powerful and triumphant declaration of God's absolute uniqueness and unwavering reliability, forming a pivotal theological statement within King David's psalm of thanksgiving and deliverance. Following a dramatic account of divine rescue from all his enemies, particularly Saul, David articulates a profound affirmation of the LORD's singular sovereignty and unshakeable strength, asserting that no other deity or source of security can compare to the God of Israel. This verse encapsulates the core monotheistic conviction of Israelite faith, presenting God as the sole, incomparable source of ultimate refuge and power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 18 is presented as a "song of David" (superscription), paralleled almost verbatim in [2 Samuel 22](/2_samuel/22 "2 Samuel 22 - David's Song of Deliverance"). It is a grand psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating God's deliverance of David from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. The psalm begins with David's passionate declaration of love for God (Psalm 18:1-3), then vividly recounts his distress and desperate cry for help (Psalm 18:4-6). The central section (Psalm 18:7-19) describes God's majestic and terrifying descent to rescue him, employing powerful cosmic imagery. Following this dramatic intervention and a reflection on his own blamelessness (Psalm 18:20-30), Psalm 18:31 serves as a climactic theological conclusion, a rhetorical question affirming God's unparalleled nature before the psalm transitions into further praise for God's empowering presence in battle (Psalm 18:32-45) and a final doxology (Psalm 18:46-50).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by King David, a warrior-king who faced relentless opposition from both foreign powers (Philistines, etc.) and domestic enemies (Saul, Absalom), this psalm is deeply rooted in his lived experience of warfare and political intrigue. In the ancient Near East, various nations worshipped their own pantheon of gods, often associated with natural phenomena or national power. The rhetorical questions in Psalm 18:31 directly challenge this polytheistic worldview, asserting the exclusive supremacy of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The metaphor of "rock" (Hebrew: *tsûr*) would have resonated strongly in a land characterized by rugged terrain, where rocky outcrops and cliffs served as natural fortresses and places of refuge from enemies or wild animals. For David, a fugitive hiding in caves and strongholds, the imagery of God as an unassailable "rock" was not merely abstract but deeply personal and culturally relevant.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 18:31 encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent in the Psalter and broader Old Testament. Firstly, it powerfully asserts [God's absolute uniqueness and sovereignty](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - God as the First and the Last"), contrasting Him with all other so-called gods. This monotheistic declaration is a cornerstone of Israelite faith, repeatedly emphasized in passages like [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel"). Secondly, the verse highlights [God's steadfastness and reliability](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God as the Rock, perfect in work"), portraying Him as an unshakeable "rock" – a metaphor for strength, stability, and refuge. This imagery assures the worshiper of God's unchanging nature and His ability to provide ultimate security in times of peril, a theme echoed in Hannah's prayer in [1 Samuel 2:2](/1_samuel/2-2 "1 Samuel 2:2 - Hannah's Prayer, No Rock Like Our God"). Finally, the verse implicitly underscores the theme of [divine faithfulness and deliverance](/psalms/144-1-2 "Psalm 144:1-2 - God as My Rock and Deliverer"), as David's personal experience of rescue forms the backdrop for this theological affirmation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôwahh'_):** This term, a singular form related to the more common plural *ʾĕlōhîym*, refers to a deity or the Deity. In Psalm 18:31, when used in conjunction with "the LORD" (YHWH), it functions as a universal term for divine being, emphasizing the singular, supreme nature of the God of Israel. It challenges the efficacy or existence of any other divine entity, asserting that only YHWH truly embodies the essence of "God."
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, personal, covenantal name of God (often rendered Yahweh), signifying His self-existence, eternal nature, and His active presence in the lives of His people. The use of *Yᵉhôvâh* here distinguishes the God of Israel as the *only* true and living God, in stark contrast to the impotent idols and false deities worshipped by other nations. It underscores His unique identity as the one who exists eternally and acts powerfully.
* **Rock (Hebrew, _tsûwr'_):** More than just a stone, *tsûwr* denotes a craggy cliff, a mountain stronghold, or a massive, immovable boulder. It powerfully symbolizes absolute stability, unyielding strength, and an impenetrable refuge. For David, this metaphor conveyed God's unshakeable character, His protective presence, and His role as an ultimate, secure foundation in the face of all threats. It suggests a place of ultimate safety and defense, an enduring and protective presence that cannot be moved or overcome.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For who [is] God save the LORD?":** This is a rhetorical question that functions as a powerful, emphatic declaration. The word "save" (from the Hebrew H1107, *bilʻădêy*, meaning "except" or "besides") asserts that there is no other true deity, no other being possessing divine attributes or power, apart from YHWH. It is a direct challenge to polytheism and idolatry, proclaiming the exclusive and singular nature of the God of Israel. It implies that any other claimant to divinity is false and impotent, incapable of true divine action or existence.
* **"or who [is] a rock save our God?":** This second rhetorical question reiterates and reinforces the first, using a profound metaphor. "Our God" (Hebrew: *ʾĕlōhênû*) emphasizes the personal, covenantal relationship God has with His people. The "rock" imagery (from H6697, *tsûwr*) underlines God's unshakeable strength, stability, and role as an ultimate refuge. The question declares that no other entity—no human king, no foreign deity, no earthly power—can provide the absolute security, steadfastness, and protection that the God of Israel offers. He alone is the dependable foundation, the unmoving stronghold in times of peril.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 18:31 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, where the questions "For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?" are not posed to elicit information but to make a strong, emphatic assertion. They compel the listener to acknowledge the self-evident truth of God's unparalleled nature and expose the futility of seeking security elsewhere. Closely related is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second line ("or who is a rock save our God?") echoes and intensifies the meaning of the first line ("For who is God save the LORD?"), using different but related imagery. This repetition reinforces the central message of God's uniqueness and steadfastness. Finally, the verse utilizes **Metaphor** by portraying God as a "rock." This concrete image vividly conveys abstract qualities of God such as strength, stability, reliability, and refuge, making His character tangible and relatable for the worshiper and emphasizing His role as an ultimate, unyielding protector.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 18:31 is a foundational declaration of monotheism, asserting the absolute singularity and supremacy of Yahweh, the God of Israel. It stands as a theological bulwark against polytheism and idolatry, not merely denying the existence of other gods but affirming that only the LORD possesses the inherent power, faithfulness, and steadfastness to be truly called "God" and to serve as an unshakeable "rock." This verse underpins the entire biblical narrative of redemption, which is predicated on the unique nature of the God who acts in history. It teaches us that ultimate security, salvation, and truth are found in Him alone, challenging any reliance on human strength, worldly systems, or false deities. It calls believers to an exclusive devotion rooted in the incomparable nature of the One True God.

* [Deuteronomy 32:3-4](/deuteronomy/32-3-4 "Deuteronomy 32:3-4 - The Rock, His Work is Perfect")
* [Isaiah 45:5-6](/isaiah/45-5-6 "Isaiah 45:5-6 - I Am the LORD, and There Is None Else")
* [1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - The Spiritual Rock Was Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 18:31 offers profound comfort and a clear directive for our lives today. In a world characterized by shifting values, uncertain futures, and countless competing ideologies and sources of supposed security, this verse calls us back to the singular, unshakeable truth: only God is truly God, and only He is our dependable Rock. When we face personal crises, societal upheaval, or spiritual battles, our natural inclination might be to seek refuge in human strength, financial stability, political solutions, or even self-reliance. However, this psalm reminds us that all these are ultimately "shifting sand." Our ultimate security, our unyielding foundation, and our impenetrable refuge are found solely in the LORD. This truth should inspire unwavering confidence in His character, lead us to place our trust exclusively in Him, and motivate us to worship Him as the one incomparable God. It calls us to live lives that reflect this conviction, demonstrating by our trust and obedience that indeed, there is no God save the LORD, and no rock save our God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to seek security or strength outside of God?**
* **How does understanding God as my "Rock" change my perspective on current challenges or fears?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my reliance on God alone, rather than on worldly resources or my own abilities?**

### FAQ
**What does "save the LORD" mean in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "save the LORD" (from the Hebrew H1107, *bilʻădêy*, and H2108, *zûwlâh*) means "besides the LORD" or "apart from the LORD." It is a strong exclusionary statement. In the context of a rhetorical question, "For who is God save the LORD?" it emphatically declares that there is no other true God, no other being that possesses divine attributes or power, apart from Yahweh. It's a declaration of God's unique and exclusive deity, asserting that any other claimants to godhood are false and impotent. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on monotheism, as seen in [Deuteronomy 4:35](/deuteronomy/4-35 "Deuteronomy 4:35 - The LORD, He Is God; There Is None Else").

**Why is God referred to as a "rock" so often in the Bible?**

Answer: The metaphor of God as a "rock" (Hebrew: H6697, *tsûwr*) is one of the most powerful and frequently used images in Scripture to describe God's character. A rock, especially a craggy cliff or mountain stronghold, symbolizes absolute stability, unyielding strength, and an impenetrable refuge. In ancient times, such formations provided natural fortresses and places of safety from enemies or harsh elements. When applied to God, it conveys His unchangeable nature, His steadfast faithfulness, and His ability to provide ultimate security and protection for His people. He is the solid, enduring foundation upon which we can build our lives, a place of safety in times of trouble. This imagery is deeply comforting and assuring, as seen in [Psalm 62:6-7](/psalms/62-6-7 "Psalm 62:6-7 - My Rock and My Salvation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 18:31, with its declaration of God as the unique "God" and unshakeable "Rock," finds its ultimate and fullest expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm extols the Father, the New Testament reveals Christ as the very embodiment of God's unique power and steadfast refuge. He is the ["image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature"](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God"), through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together, echoing the unparalleled nature of God. Furthermore, Jesus is explicitly identified as the spiritual "Rock" upon which God's people stand. Paul declares in [1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - The Spiritual Rock Was Christ") that the Israelites in the wilderness "drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." He is the [cornerstone rejected by builders but chosen by God](/1_peter/2-7 "1 Peter 2:7 - Christ, the Living Stone"), the very foundation [upon which His church is built](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church's Foundation"). In Christ, we find the ultimate, unshakeable security and deliverance that David experienced in a partial way. He is the unique Son of God, who alone can provide salvation and stand as our eternal, unmoving refuge in a shifting world, fulfilling the promise that [there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation Through No Other Name").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 32:31

For their rock [is] not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves [being] judges.

Psalms 86:8

¶ Among the gods [there is] none like unto thee, O Lord; neither [are there any works] like unto thy works.

Isaiah 45:5

¶ I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

2 Samuel 22:32

For who [is] God, save the LORD? and who [is] a rock, save our God?

Deuteronomy 32:39

¶ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

1 Samuel 2:2

[There is] none holy as the LORD: for [there is] none beside thee: neither [is there] any rock like our God.

Isaiah 45:21

Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside me.