Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky. New Living Translation He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dark rain clouds. English Standard Version He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Berean Standard Bible He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him. King James Bible He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. New King James Version He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters And thick clouds of the skies. New American Standard Bible He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds. NASB 1995 He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. NASB 1977 He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. Legacy Standard Bible He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. Amplified Bible He made darkness His hiding place (covering); His pavilion (canopy) around Him, The darkness of the waters, the thick clouds of the skies. Christian Standard Bible He made darkness his hiding place, dark storm clouds his canopy around him. Holman Christian Standard Bible He made darkness His hiding place, dark storm clouds His canopy around Him. American Standard Version He made darkness his hiding-place, his pavilion round about him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. Contemporary English Version Darkness was your robe; thunderclouds filled the sky, hiding you from sight. English Revised Version He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion round about him; darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. GOD'S WORD® Translation He made the darkness his hiding place, the dark rain clouds his covering. Good News Translation He covered himself with darkness; thick clouds, full of water, surrounded him. International Standard Version He made darkness his hiding place, his canopy surrounding him was dark waters and thick clouds. NET Bible He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds. New Heart English Bible He made darkness his hiding place, his canopy around him thick clouds dark with water. Webster's Bible Translation He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion around him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him. World English Bible He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHe makes darkness His secret place, "" Around Him His dwelling place, "" Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. Young's Literal Translation He maketh darkness His secret place, Round about Him His tabernacle, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. Smith's Literal Translation He will set darkness his covering; his tent round about him darknesses of waters, thick clouds. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he made darkness his covert, his pavilion round about him: dark waters in the clouds of the air. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible He made darkness his cloak around him; his canopy, water-darkened stormclouds. New Revised Standard Version He made darkness his covering around him, his canopy thick clouds dark with water. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe made darkness his covert; his pavilion round about him was darkness of waters and thick clouds of the skies. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He set darkness for his refuge and his tabernacle around him, and darkness of waters in clouds of the air. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He made darkness His hiding-place, His pavilion round about Him; Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he made darkness his secret place: round about him was his tabernacle, even dark water in the clouds of the air. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The LORD is My Rock…10He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind. 11He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him. 12From the brightness of His presence His clouds advanced—hailstones and coals of fire.… Cross References Exodus 19:9 The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said. 1 Kings 8:12 Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. Job 22:14 Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven.’ Isaiah 45:15 Truly You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. Ezekiel 1:4 I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber, Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. Matthew 17:5 While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” Mark 9:7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!” Luke 9:34-35 While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. / And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!” Acts 1:9 After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. Revelation 10:1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire. Exodus 13:21-22 And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. / Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people. 2 Samuel 22:12 He made darkness a canopy around Him, a gathering of water and thick clouds. Job 36:29 Furthermore, who can understand how the clouds spread out, how the thunder roars from His pavilion? Treasury of Scripture He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. secret Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. Psalm 81:7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. thick Psalm 97:2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Deuteronomy 4:11 And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. Joel 2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. Jump to Previous Canopy Clouds Covering Dark Darkness Hiding Hiding-Place Maketh Pavilion Rain Round Secret Skies Sky Tabernacle Tent Thick Water WatersJump to Next Canopy Clouds Covering Dark Darkness Hiding Hiding-Place Maketh Pavilion Rain Round Secret Skies Sky Tabernacle Tent Thick Water WatersPsalm 18 1. David praises God for his manifold and marvelous blessingsHe made darkness His hiding place This phrase suggests the transcendence and mystery of God. In biblical context, darkness often symbolizes the unknown or the divine presence that is beyond human comprehension. In Exodus 20:21, Moses approaches the thick darkness where God was, indicating that God's presence is often shrouded in mystery. This imagery can also be seen in 1 Kings 8:12, where Solomon acknowledges that God has said He would dwell in thick darkness. Theologically, this can be understood as God’s way of concealing His full glory, which is too overwhelming for humans to behold directly. It also reflects the idea that God is sovereign and operates beyond human understanding. and storm clouds a canopy around Him Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 18, David is expressing his gratitude and awe for God's deliverance and protection. This psalm is a song of praise after God rescued him from his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2. God The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as majestic and powerful, using elements of creation as His dwelling and covering. 3. Darkness and Storm Clouds These natural elements are used metaphorically to describe God's mysterious and awe-inspiring presence. They symbolize His transcendence and the hidden nature of His ways. Teaching Points God's Majesty and MysteryGod's ways are often beyond human understanding, symbolized by darkness and storm clouds. This should lead us to a posture of humility and reverence. Protection and Presence Just as darkness and clouds can provide cover and protection, God's presence offers us refuge and safety, even when we cannot see His full plan. Faith in the Unseen Believers are called to trust in God's presence and power, even when He seems hidden or His ways are not immediately clear to us. God's Sovereignty Over Creation The imagery of storm clouds and darkness reminds us of God's ultimate control over the natural world, encouraging us to trust in His sovereignty in all circumstances. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 18Why does God allow so many of His followers to doubt His existence? What does the Bible say about Christian horror movies? 2 Chronicles 6:1–2: If God is said to dwell in “thick darkness,” how does this align with other passages presenting God as light? How does David's claim of righteousness in Psalm 18:20-24 align with accounts of his moral failures elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., 2 Samuel 11)?(11) Secret place.--Better, veil. Comp. Job 22:14; Lamentations 3:44. A better arrangement of the members of this verse is, He made darkness His veil round about Him; His tent He made of dark waters and black clouds. Literally, darkness of waters and blacknesses of clouds. (Comp. Psalm 97:2; Job 36:29.) In Samuel, instead of "blacknesses" of clouds, the expression used is "bendings," or "collectings," and the parallelism is marred by the omission of "his veil." Always present to the Hebrew imagination, God is still invisible, veiled by thick clouds, and far withdrawn in His own ineffable brightness. This verse gives suggestion of that momentary lull so common before the final fury of a storm bursts. In the Hebrew imagery Jehovah stays His winged car, and draws round Him, as if to take up His abode within them, thick curtains of cloud. "We often see, against some storm, . . . Verse 11. - He made darkness his secret place; i.e. he hid himself amid clouds and thick darkness. In executing his judgments he did not allow himself to be seen. God's action is always secret and inscrutable. His pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. The original runs as follows: "He made darkness his secret place - his pavilion round about him - dark waters, thick clouds of the skies." The whole forms one sentence, "his pavilion" being in apposition with "secret place," and the last clause, "dark waters, thick clouds of the skies," being exegetical of the "darkness" in the first clause. God's "pavilion," or "tent" (סבּה), is mentioned again in Psalm 27:5 and Psalm 31:20.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He madeיָ֤שֶׁת (yā·šeṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular Strong's 7896: To put, set darkness חֹ֨שֶׁךְ ׀ (ḥō·šeḵ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness His hiding place, סִתְר֗וֹ (siṯ·rōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5643: A covering, hiding place, secrecy [and] storm מַ֝֗יִם (ma·yim) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen clouds עָבֵ֥י (‘ā·ḇê) Noun - common plural construct Strong's 5645: An envelope, darkness, a, cloud, a copse a canopy סֻכָּת֑וֹ (suk·kā·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5521: A thicket, booth around Him. סְבִֽיבוֹתָ֥יו (sə·ḇî·ḇō·w·ṯāw) Adverb | third person masculine singular Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around Links Psalm 18:11 NIVPsalm 18:11 NLT Psalm 18:11 ESV Psalm 18:11 NASB Psalm 18:11 KJV Psalm 18:11 BibleApps.com Psalm 18:11 Biblia Paralela Psalm 18:11 Chinese Bible Psalm 18:11 French Bible Psalm 18:11 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 18:11 He made darkness his hiding place his (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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