King James Version

What Does Psalms 18:3 Mean?

Psalms 18:3 in the King James Version says “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”

Psalms 18:3 · KJV

Salvation

Context

1

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

2

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. my strength: Heb. my rock

3

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4

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

5

The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. sorrows: or, cords

Read Psalms 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David calls on Yahweh who is 'worthy to be praised' and finds salvation from enemies. The Hebrew 'halal' (praised) means to boast or celebrate loudly. Calling on God in faith results in deliverance. This pattern—invocation, trust, salvation—appears throughout Scripture and anticipates Romans 10:13: 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' Reformed theology sees effectual calling as God drawing us to cry out.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written after experiencing multiple deliverances from mortal danger, establishing a pattern of prayer and divine rescue that built David's faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. How consistently do you call on God when facing threats or difficulties?
  2. What past deliverances strengthen your confidence to call on Him now?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
מְ֭הֻלָּל1 of 6

“who is worthy to be praised”

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

אֶקְרָ֣א2 of 6

“I will call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

יְהוָ֑ה3 of 6

“upon the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּמִן4 of 6
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אֹ֝יְבַ֗י5 of 6

“from mine enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

אִוָּשֵֽׁעַ׃6 of 6

“so shall I be saved”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 18:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 18:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 91:15Psalms 62:8Psalms 145:3Romans 8:31-39Luke 1:712 Samuel 22:4

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 18 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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