Psalms 18:4

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

The sorrows {H2256} of death {H4194} compassed {H661} me, and the floods {H5158} of ungodly men {H1100} made me afraid {H1204}.

"For the cords of death surrounded me, the floods of B'liya'al terrified me,

The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.

The cords of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

Commentary

Psalms 18:4 vividly describes a moment of extreme peril and deep fear experienced by the psalmist, King David. It paints a picture of being utterly surrounded by life-threatening dangers and overwhelmed by the aggressive hostility of wicked adversaries, highlighting the desperate need for divine intervention.

Context

This verse is part of Psalm 18, a powerful psalm of thanksgiving and praise that David composed after the LORD delivered him from all his enemies, especially from King Saul. This psalm finds a parallel account in 2 Samuel 22. Verses 4-6 of Psalm 18 set the scene by detailing the immense distress David faced, where he felt encircled by deadly threats and terrorized by his foes, before he passionately cried out to the Lord for salvation.

Key Themes

  • Overwhelming Distress: The phrase "sorrows of death compassed me" conveys an intense feeling of being trapped and suffocated by life-threatening dangers or the severe anguish associated with impending death. It underscores a profound sense of helplessness and vulnerability in the face of overwhelming odds.
  • Fear from Wicked Opposition: "The floods of ungodly men made me afraid" illustrates a torrent of hostile, wicked individuals assaulting David. This imagery evokes a sense of being swept away or drowned by their malicious intent and overwhelming force, speaking directly to the experience of persecution and intense opposition from those who defy God.
  • The Precursor to Deliverance: While this verse focuses on distress, it is crucial to the psalm's overall narrative. This profound fear and overwhelming situation serve as the backdrop for David's fervent prayer and God's subsequent, mighty act of rescue, which is powerfully described in the verses that follow (e.g., Psalms 18:6).

Linguistic Insights

  • The KJV rendering "sorrows of death" translates the Hebrew word chevlei (ื—ึถื‘ึฐืœึตื™). This term can mean "cords," "snares," or "birth pangs." In this context, it powerfully suggests being bound, entangled, or seized by the inescapable cords of death, emphasizing a feeling akin to being caught in a deadly trap. It brings to mind the imagery of walking through the valley of the shadow of death, where dangers are ever-present and menacing.
  • "Ungodly men" is derived from the Hebrew beliyya'al (ื‘ึฐึผืœึดื™ึทึผืขึทืœ), which literally means "worthlessness" or "wickedness." It describes individuals who are utterly depraved, destructive, and without moral restraint, often associated with rebellion against God. The "floods" imagery (nachalei - ื ึทื—ึฒืœึตื™) accentuates their overwhelming number and destructive force, much like an uncontrollable, raging river.

Practical Application

David's raw expression of fear and being overwhelmed resonates deeply with believers today who face severe trials, personal crises, or intense opposition from those hostile to their faith. This verse acknowledges the legitimate human emotion of profound fear in the face of seemingly insurmountable dangers. It reminds us that:

  • It's Human to Feel Afraid: The psalmist's honest admission of fear validates our own emotions when we encounter overwhelming circumstances.
  • God is Our Ultimate Refuge: Even when we feel "compassed" by the sorrows of death or threatened by "floods of ungodly men," this psalm ultimately points to God as the faithful deliverer and an unshakeable fortress. Our response, mirroring David's, should be to turn to God for strength and refuge, knowing He is our ever-present help in trouble.
  • Prayer is a Powerful Response: David's distress immediately led him to cry out to the Lord, and God responded with mighty deliverance. This verse encourages us to bring our deepest fears, anxieties, and overwhelming circumstances to God in earnest prayer, trusting in His sovereign power to deliver and sustain us.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 116:3

    The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

  • Matthew 27:24

    When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it].

  • Matthew 27:25

    Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:9

    But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

  • Mark 14:33

    And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

  • Mark 14:34

    And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

  • Matthew 26:47

    ยถ And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
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