Psalms 18:30
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Original Language Analysis
הָאֵל֮
As for God
H410
הָאֵל֮
As for God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
1 of 11
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
תָּמִ֪ים
is perfect
H8549
תָּמִ֪ים
is perfect
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
2 of 11
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
דַּ֫רְכּ֥וֹ
his way
H1870
דַּ֫רְכּ֥וֹ
his way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
3 of 11
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְרוּפָ֑ה
is tried
H6884
צְרוּפָ֑ה
is tried
Strong's:
H6884
Word #:
6 of 11
to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)
מָגֵ֥ן
he is a buckler
H4043
מָגֵ֥ן
he is a buckler
Strong's:
H4043
Word #:
7 of 11
a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
ה֝֗וּא
H1931
ה֝֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 11
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לְכֹ֤ל׀
H3605
לְכֹ֤ל׀
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.Proverbs 30:5Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.Psalms 12:6The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.2 Samuel 22:31As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.Revelation 15:3And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.Psalms 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.Psalms 25:10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.Psalms 119:140Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.Daniel 4:37Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.Psalms 17:7Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
Historical Context
Written after experiencing God's faithfulness through decades of trials, each confirming Scripture's reliability and God's protective care.
Questions for Reflection
- How has testing in your life proven God's word reliable?
- In what ways do you actively take refuge in God?
Analysis & Commentary
God's way is perfect ('tamim'—complete/blameless), His word is 'tested' ('tsaraph'—refined), and He is a shield to all who take refuge. The testing metaphor recalls purifying precious metals. God's word has proven reliable through generations of testing. The shield imagery portrays God as protector. This anticipates Psalm 119's extensive meditation on Scripture's perfection and Jesus' use of Scripture as defensive weapon against Satan (Matthew 4).