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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 18:28 For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/18-28.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/19_Psa_018_028.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 18:28 - The LORD is My Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/18-28.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/18-28.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 28</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/18-27.htm" title="Psalm 18:27">◄</a> Psalm 18:28 <a href="/psalms/18-29.htm" title="Psalm 18:29">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For Thou dost light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For You light my lamp; Yahweh my God illumines my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For You cause my lamp to be lighted <i>and</i> to shine; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />LORD, you light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br /> LORD, You light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For thou wilt light my lamp: Jehovah my God will lighten my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You, the LORD God, keep my lamp burning and turn darkness to light. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For thou wilt light my lamp: the LORD my God will lighten my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />O LORD, you light my lamp. My God turns my darkness into light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />O LORD, you give me light; you dispel my darkness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For you, LORD, make my lamp shine; my God enlightens my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, you are my lamp, LORD. My God illuminates the darkness around me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For you light my lamp. The LORD my God lights up my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For you will light my lamp, Yahweh. My God will light up my darkness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For You light my lamp, "" My God YHWH enlightens my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For Thou -- Thou lightest my lamp, Jehovah my God enlighteneth my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For thou wilt enlighten my lamp Jehovah my God will give light to my darkness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For thou lightest my lamp, O Lord: O my God enlighten my darkness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 17:29>For you illuminate my lamp, O Lord. My God, enlighten my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For you, LORD, give light to my lamp; my God brightens my darkness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />It is you who light my lamp; the LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For thou wilt light my lamp; the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You will light my lamp, LORD JEHOVAH; my God will enlighten my darkness.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For Thou dost light my lamp; The LORD my God doth lighten my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For thou, O Lord, wilt light my lamp: my God, thou wilt lighten my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/18-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=1690" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm">The LORD is My Rock</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">27</span>For You save an afflicted people, but You humble those with haughty eyes. <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">You,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/215.htm" title="215: tā·’îr (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To be or become light. A primitive root; to be luminous.">light</a> <a href="/hebrew/5216.htm" title="5216: nê·rî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A lamp. Or nir; also neyr; or ner; or nerah; from a primitive root properly, meaning to glisten; a lamp or light.">my lamp;</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">my God</a> <a href="/hebrew/5050.htm" title="5050: yag·gî·ah (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To shine. A primitive root; to glitter; causatively, to illuminate.">lights up</a> <a href="/hebrew/2822.htm" title="2822: ḥā·šə·kî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- From chashak; the dark; hence darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.">my darkness.</a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>For in You I can charge an army, and with my God I can scale a wall.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a></span><br />Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/22-29.htm">2 Samuel 22:29</a></span><br />For You, O LORD, are my lamp; the LORD lights up my darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Isaiah 42:16</a></span><br />I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4-5</a></span><br />In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Ephesians 5:8</a></span><br />For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-5.htm">1 John 1:5-7</a></span><br />And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-19.htm">Isaiah 60:19-20</a></span><br />No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. / Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14-16</a></span><br />You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Proverbs 4:18</a></span><br />The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-6.htm">2 Corinthians 4:6</a></span><br />For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-8.htm">Micah 7:8</a></span><br />Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/27-1.htm">Psalm 27:1</a></span><br />Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-78.htm">Luke 1:78-79</a></span><br />because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, / to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Isaiah 9:2</a></span><br />The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For you will light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.</p><p class="hdg">thou wilt</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4</a></b></br> Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: <i>he is</i> gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/18-6.htm">Job 18:6</a></b></br> The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/29-3.htm">Job 29:3</a></b></br> When his candle shined upon my head, <i>and when</i> by his light I walked <i>through</i> darkness;</p><p class="hdg">candle.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/132-17.htm">Psalm 132:17</a></b></br> There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/22-29.htm">2 Samuel 22:29</a></b></br> For thou <i>art</i> my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/11-36.htm">1 Kings 11:36</a></b></br> And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.</p><p class="hdg">my God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Isaiah 42:16</a></b></br> And I will bring the blind by a way <i>that</i> they knew not; I will lead them in paths <i>that</i> they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/4-16.htm">Matthew 4:16</a></b></br> The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/1-79.htm">Luke 1:79</a></b></br> To give light to them that sit in darkness and <i>in</i> the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/37-22.htm">Bright</a> <a href="/psalms/18-8.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/job/29-3.htm">Candle</a> <a href="/psalms/18-12.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/18-11.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/psalms/13-3.htm">Enlighten</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-29.htm">Enlighteneth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-29.htm">Illumines</a> <a href="/psalms/17-8.htm">Light</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-29.htm">Lightens</a> <a href="/psalms/16-11.htm">Makest</a> <a href="/psalms/4-6.htm">Shine</a> <a href="/psalms/16-5.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/job/30-30.htm">Turns</a> <a href="/psalms/18-27.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/34-5.htm">Bright</a> <a href="/psalms/38-1.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Candle</a> <a href="/psalms/35-6.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/35-6.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/psalms/105-39.htm">Enlighten</a> <a href="/psalms/119-130.htm">Enlighteneth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Illumines</a> <a href="/psalms/19-8.htm">Light</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-29.htm">Lightens</a> <a href="/psalms/21-6.htm">Makest</a> <a href="/psalms/31-16.htm">Shine</a> <a href="/psalms/32-5.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/psalms/107-33.htm">Turns</a> <a href="/psalms/21-9.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/18-1.htm">David praises God for his manifold and marvelous blessings</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For You, O LORD, light my lamp;</b><br>This phrase acknowledges the LORD as the source of guidance and illumination. In biblical times, lamps were essential for lighting homes and pathways, symbolizing guidance and protection. The imagery of God lighting a lamp suggests divine guidance and the dispelling of confusion or ignorance. This is reminiscent of <a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Psalm 119:105</a>, where God's word is described as a lamp to the feet and a light to the path, emphasizing the role of divine revelation in providing direction. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people, highlighting His faithfulness and personal involvement in the believer's life.<p><b>my God lights up my darkness.</b><br>Darkness often symbolizes chaos, danger, or the unknown in Scripture. Here, the psalmist expresses trust in God to illuminate the darkness, which can represent personal trials, spiritual confusion, or moral dilemmas. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God as light, as seen in 1 <a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a>, where God is described as light, and in Him, there is no darkness. The phrase also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the "light of the world" in <a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a>, bringing spiritual illumination and salvation. The personal pronoun "my" indicates a personal relationship with God, emphasizing trust and reliance on His power to overcome darkness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm">Psalm 18</a>, David is expressing his gratitude and praise to God for deliverance from his enemies and from the hand of Saul. This psalm is a song of thanksgiving and victory.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness. In this verse, God is depicted as the source of light and guidance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/darkness.htm">Darkness</a></b><br>Symbolic of distress, confusion, or danger. David refers to his personal experiences of peril and uncertainty, which God transforms with His light.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god_as_our_light.htm">God as Our Light</a></b><br>Just as David experienced God's illumination in his life, we too can trust God to guide us through our darkest times. His light brings clarity and direction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>Recognize that our own strength and wisdom are insufficient. We must rely on God to light our path and dispel the darkness in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_illumination.htm">Spiritual Illumination</a></b><br>Beyond physical or situational darkness, God provides spiritual insight and understanding. Seek His wisdom through prayer and Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/christ,_the_light_of_the_world.htm">Christ, the Light of the World</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to reflect the light of Christ in our lives, bringing hope and truth to those around us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_septuagesima,_etc._sundays.htm">What does 'The Lord is my light and salvation' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_those_who_love_him_like_the_sun.htm">Are those who love Him like the sun?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_colonialism_and_imperialism_differ.htm">What makes a righteous man's prayer powerful and effective?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_amos_5_18_contradict_hopeful_texts.htm">Amos 5:18 - If the 'Day of the Lord' is described here as darkness, does this contradict other biblical texts that portray it as a time of hope or victory?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(28) <span class= "bld">For thou wilt.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">Thou makest bright my lamp. </span>In Samuel, "It is thou Jehovah who art my lamp." This obvious metaphor is common in Hebrew, as in all literature. Light is an emblem of prosperity, happiness, or life itself. (Comp. <a href="/job/18-6.htm" title="The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.">Job 18:6</a>; <a href="/job/21-17.htm" title="How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft comes their destruction on them! God distributes sorrows in his anger.">Job 21:17</a>; <a href="/proverbs/13-9.htm" title="The light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.">Proverbs 13:9</a>, &c). It happens to be used very frequently of David and his family (<a href="/1_kings/11-36.htm" title="And to his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.">1Kings 11:36</a>; <a href="/1_kings/15-4.htm" title="Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:">1Kings 15:4</a>; <a href="/2_kings/8-19.htm" title="Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him always a light, and to his children.">2Kings 8:19</a>). Comp. <a href="/psalms/132-17.htm" title="There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.">Psalm 132:17</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 28-45.</span> - As in the former narrative section (vers. 4-24) David seems to have had his earlier troubles in mind, so, in the present one, his troubles since he entered upon the kingdom seem especially to engage his thoughts. These consisted chiefly of wars with foreign enemies, in which, while he incurred many dangers, he was, upon the whole, eminently successful. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For thou wilt light</span> <span class="cmt_word">my candle;</span> rather, my <span class="accented">lamp</span> - <span class="accented">the</span> word generally used of the lamps supported by the seven-branched candelabrum of the tabernacle (see <a href="/exodus/25-37.htm">Exodus 25:37</a>; <a href="/exodus/37-22.htm">Exodus 37:22, 23</a>; <a href="/exodus/40-25.htm">Exodus 40:25</a>). David himself is called "the lamp of Israel" in <a href="/2_samuel/21-17.htm">2 Samuel 21:17</a><span class="cmt_word">. The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness</span>. The true lamp of David, which "enlightened his darkness," was "the light of God's countenance." While this shone upon him, his whole path was bright, and he himself, reflecting the Divine rays, was a lamp to others. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/18-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֭תָּה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">light</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּאִ֣יר</span> <span class="translit">(tā·’îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_215.htm">Strong's 215: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become light</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my lamp;</span><br /><span class="heb">נֵרִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(nê·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5216.htm">Strong's 5216: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lamp, light</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">enlightens</span><br /><span class="heb">יַגִּ֥יהַּ</span> <span class="translit">(yag·gî·ah)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5050.htm">Strong's 5050: </a> </span><span class="str2">To glitter, to illuminate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my darkness.</span><br /><span class="heb">חָשְׁכִּֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·šə·kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2822.htm">Strong's 2822: </a> </span><span class="str2">The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/18-28.htm">Psalm 18:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/18-28.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 18:28 For you will light my lamp Yahweh (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/18-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 18:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/18-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 18:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:29" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>