Psalms 18:9
He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֣ט
He bowed
H5186
וַיֵּ֣ט
He bowed
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
1 of 6
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
שָׁ֭מַיִם
the heavens
H8064
שָׁ֭מַיִם
the heavens
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
2 of 6
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וַיֵּרַ֑ד
also and came down
H3381
וַיֵּרַ֑ד
also and came down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
3 of 6
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
Historical Context
Drawing on Israel's foundational memory of Sinai where God descended in cloud and darkness to meet Moses and give the covenant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's willingness to 'come down' inform your view of prayer?
- What does the Incarnation reveal about God's commitment to rescue?
Analysis & Commentary
God 'bowed the heavens and came down' with thick darkness under His feet. The Hebrew 'natah' (bowed/stretched) suggests pulling heaven down to earth. The 'araphel' (thick darkness) recalls Sinai's thick cloud (Exodus 20:21). This portrays God bridging infinite distance to rescue His servant. It anticipates the Incarnation—God descending to rescue humanity. Reformed theology sees God's transcendence and immanence held together.