Psalms 18:30

The one true God acts in a faithful manner; ¹  the Lord’s promise ²  is reliable; ³  he is a shield to all who take shelter ⁴  in him.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

As for God, his way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every GOD-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him Makes it.

As for God, his way is completely good; the word of the Lord is tested; he is a breastplate for all those who put their faith in him.

This God—his way is perfect; the promise of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

The one true God acts in a faithful manner; ¹  the Lord’s promise ²  is reliable; ³  he is a shield to all who take shelter ⁴  in him.

¹ tn Heb “[As for] the God, his way is blameless.” The term הָאֵל (ha’el, “the God”) stands as a nominative (or genitive) absolute in apposition to the resumptive pronominal suffix on “way.” The prefixed article emphasizes his distinctiveness as the one true God (cf. Deut 33:26). God’s “way” in this context refers to his protective and salvific acts in fulfillment of his promise (see also Deut 32:4; Pss 67:2; 77:13 [note vv. 11-12, 14]; 103:7; 138:5; 145:17).

² sn The Lord’s promise. In the ancient Near East kings would typically seek and receive oracles from their god(s) prior to battle. For examples, see R. B. Chisholm, “An Exegetical and Theological Study of Psalm 18/2 Samuel 22” (Th.D. diss., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1983), 241-42.

³ tn Heb “the word of the Lord is purified.” The Lord’s “word” probably refers here to his oracle(s) of victory delivered to the psalmist before the battle(s) described in the following context. See also Pss 12:5-7 and 138:2-3. David frequently received such oracles before going into battle (see 1 Sam 23:2, 4-5, 10-12; 30:8; 2 Sam 5:19). The Lord’s word of promise is absolutely reliable; it is compared to metal that has been refined in fire and cleansed of impurities. See Ps 12:6.

⁴ sn Take shelter. See the note on the word “shelter” in v. 2.