Psalm 18

vs 41

The first half of this verse makes you assume that they were turning to false foreign gods, and so hence they received no help.

It's the second half that of course is more striking. They called out to God, but he didn't answer them either. Should we be surprised? They had set themselves against God's people, and then suddenly think they can summon him?

vs 42

Not exactly a charming image, but remember that the image is not to show how much defeat his enemies found, but more how much God was on David's side.

vs 43-44

David did have quite a few dealings with nations that weren't right up close. The ones up close were the ones he trampled and devoured. The ones far away seem to not just make peace, but out and out give up early so that he doesn't trounce them too.

vs 45

From their perspective, Israel has a king who is a great military genius, and a God that seems to smash all opposition - better to come cap in hand early and see if you can buy freedom cheaper than the lives of thousands of soldiers.

vs 46

God was a living God well before Jesus was incarnated. The idea of God being alive is that for one, he's not trapped in a little golden statue. And also, he is working and active. This thought that an active God can be relied upon, and will save his people, is something of great joy to David.

vs 47

I'm not quite sure what David had to avenge - perhaps the defeat and death of Saul, or even just the spankery that Israel had received for a long while.

vs 48

His foes were violent foes. They were out to kill him. But God didn't let that happen. So he is therefore awesome.

vs 49

The therefore probably refers to the whole psalm, not just the last bit. God is worthy of praise for all that he has done for David. Mostly in the defeat of his enemies and the success of David militarily. Those would be some pretty stressful issues though, so I assume they are worth writing 50 verses about.

vs 50

That's a good summary of this psalm.