Psalms 18:3
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Original Language Analysis
מְ֭הֻלָּל
who is worthy to be praised
H1984
מְ֭הֻלָּל
who is worthy to be praised
Strong's:
H1984
Word #:
1 of 6
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
אֶקְרָ֣א
I will call
H7121
אֶקְרָ֣א
I will call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
2 of 6
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֑ה
upon the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
upon the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Psalms 91:15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.Psalms 145:3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.Luke 1:71That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;Psalms 62:8Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.2 Samuel 22:4I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.Psalms 96:4For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.Psalms 55:16As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.Psalms 50:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Nehemiah 9:5Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.Revelation 4:11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Historical Context
Written after experiencing multiple deliverances from mortal danger, establishing a pattern of prayer and divine rescue that built David's faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How consistently do you call on God when facing threats or difficulties?
- What past deliverances strengthen your confidence to call on Him now?
Analysis & 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.