Psalms 18:29 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For by thee I have run through a troop, &c.— David mentions this as one instance of God's lighting up his lamp; or his purpose to advance him to the greatest splendours of royal majesty: his beating the troops of his enemies, and his reducing some remarkable city or fortress; both of them circumstances which render men glorious in the eyes of the world. David soon after his settlement on the throne drove the Jebusite garrison out of Jerusalem, and reduced the city to his obedience, making it the future capital of his kingdom. And I think he must refer to these actions, or to his two victories over the Philistines, mentioned 2 Samuel 5:17; 2 Samuel 5:25 because I apprehend this Psalm was composed soon after he had introduced the ark into Jerusalem. David's habitual piety should be here remarked; as he ascribes all his successes to the assistance of God, and in the two next verses celebrates—The unerring rectitude of his Providence: As for God, his way is perfect, in every thing just and kind:—The truth of his promises; the word of the Lord is tried, free from deceit, as gold refined by fire, and certainly to be performed:—And that powerful protection which he affords to good men; He is a buckler, a sure defence to all those who trust in him. To this he could bear witness from his own experience; and therefore he breaks out in that just acknowledgment, Psalms 18:31. Who is God, save Jehovoah? or, who is a Rock,—who can give absolute security from all dangers, save our God? He then goes on to enumerate the particular favours which God had bestowed on himself, and the various perils that he had been in, under which he experienced the divine protection. Chandler. Dr. Delaney advances a conjecture, that David composed the greater part of this Psalm after the deliverance he obtained from Saul's messengers, when they were sent to his house to take him, and when he was let down by Michal out of the window, and escaped over the garden-wall: But, as we think the above interpretation of Dr. Chandler very satisfactory, we shall only refer such of our readers as are curious to enter into the subject, to the above quoted part of the Life of David. Some render the latter clause, By my God have I taken a fort.