Psalms 18:16
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
Original Language Analysis
יִשְׁלַ֣ח
He sent
H7971
יִשְׁלַ֣ח
He sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 6
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מִ֭מָּרוֹם
from above
H4791
מִ֭מָּרוֹם
from above
Strong's:
H4791
Word #:
2 of 6
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
Cross References
2 Samuel 22:17He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;Psalms 144:7Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;Psalms 18:43Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.Psalms 57:3He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.Exodus 2:10And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
Historical Context
The 'many waters' may refer to David's many dangers or use flood imagery common in ancient Near Eastern chaos mythology, now controlled by Yahweh.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing salvation as God's initiative humble you?
- From what 'many waters' has God drawn you out?
Analysis & Commentary
God 'sent from on high' and 'took' David, drawing him from 'many waters.' The Hebrew 'shalach' (send) and 'laqach' (take) portray divine initiative in salvation. The 'many waters' ('mayim rabbim') represent overwhelming danger. This anticipates Christ's incarnation—God sending His Son from on high to rescue those drowning in sin. Reformed theology emphasizes salvation as entirely God's initiative, not human achievement.