King James Version
Psalms 18:9 in the King James Version says “He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.”
Psalms 18:9 · KJV
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. out of his nostrils: Heb. by his, etc
He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“He bowed”
H5186to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
“the heavens”
H8064the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
“also and came down”
H3381to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
“was under his feet”
H7272a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
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.
Psalms 18:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Psalms 18:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge