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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 18:11 He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/18-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/19_Psa_018_011.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 18:11 - The LORD is My Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him." /><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'; 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his pavilion round about him <i>were</i> dark waters <i>and</i> thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him <i>was</i> dark waters <i>And</i> thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He made darkness His hiding place (covering); His pavilion (canopy) around Him, The darkness of the waters, the thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He made darkness his hiding place, dark storm clouds his canopy around him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He made darkness His hiding place, dark storm clouds His canopy around Him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He made darkness his hiding-place, his pavilion round about him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Darkness was your robe; thunderclouds filled the sky, hiding you from sight. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion round about him; darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He made the darkness his hiding place, the dark rain clouds his covering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He covered himself with darkness; thick clouds, full of water, surrounded him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He made darkness his hiding place, his canopy surrounding him was dark waters and thick clouds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He made darkness his hiding place, his canopy around him thick clouds dark with water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion around him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He makes darkness His secret place, "" Around Him His dwelling place, "" Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> He maketh darkness His secret place, Round about Him His tabernacle, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He will set darkness his covering; his tent round about him darknesses of waters, thick clouds.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he made darkness his covert, his pavilion round about him: dark waters in the clouds of the air. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 17:12>And he set darkness as his hiding place, with his tabernacle all around him: dark waters in the clouds of the air.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He made darkness his cloak around him; his canopy, water-darkened stormclouds. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He made darkness his covering around him, his canopy thick clouds dark with water.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He made darkness his covert; his pavilion round about him was darkness of waters and thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He set darkness for his refuge and his tabernacle around him, and darkness of waters in clouds of the air.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He made darkness His hiding-place, His pavilion round about Him; Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he made darkness his secret place: round about him was his tabernacle, <i>even</i> dark water in the clouds of the air.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/18-11.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=1572" 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">10</span>He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7896.htm" title="7896: yā·šeṯ (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To put, set. A primitive root; to place.">He made</a> <a href="/hebrew/2822.htm" title="2822: ḥō·šeḵ (N-ms) -- From chashak; the dark; hence darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.">darkness</a> <a href="/hebrew/5643.htm" title="5643: siṯ·rōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A covering, hiding place, secrecy. Or cithrah,; from cathar; a cover.">His hiding place,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">and storm</a> <a href="/hebrew/5645.htm" title="5645: ‘ā·ḇê (N-cpc) -- Dark cloud, cloud mass, thicket. ">clouds</a> <a href="/hebrew/7834.htm" title="7834: šə·ḥā·qîm (N-mp) -- Dust, cloud. From shachaq; a powder: by analogy, a thin vapor; by extension, the firmament."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5521.htm" title="5521: suk·kā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A thicket, booth. Fem of cok; a hut or lair.">a canopy</a> <a href="/hebrew/2824.htm" title="2824: ḥeš·ḵaṯ- (N-fsc) -- Darkness. From chashak; darkness."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5439.htm" title="5439: sə·ḇî·ḇō·w·ṯāw (Adv:: 3ms) -- Circuit, round about. Or cbiybah; from cabab; a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly around.">around Him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>From the brightness of His presence His clouds advanced—hailstones and coals of fire.…<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="/exodus/19-9.htm">Exodus 19:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-12.htm">1 Kings 8:12</a></span><br />Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/22-14.htm">Job 22:14</a></span><br />Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-15.htm">Isaiah 45:15</a></span><br />Truly You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-3.htm">Nahum 1:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-5.htm">Matthew 17:5</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/9-7.htm">Mark 9:7</a></span><br />Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-34.htm">Luke 9:34-35</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/1-9.htm">Acts 1:9</a></span><br />After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/1-7.htm">Revelation 1:7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/10-1.htm">Revelation 10:1</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">Exodus 13:21-22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/22-12.htm">2 Samuel 22:12</a></span><br />He made darkness a canopy around Him, a gathering of water and thick clouds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/36-29.htm">Job 36:29</a></span><br />Furthermore, who can understand how the clouds spread out, how the thunder roars from His pavilion?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.</p><p class="hdg">secret</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/27-5.htm">Psalm 27:5</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/91-1.htm">Psalm 91:1</a></b></br> He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.</p><p class="hdg">thick</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/97-2.htm">Psalm 97:2</a></b></br> Clouds and darkness <i>are</i> round about him: righteousness and judgment <i>are</i> the habitation of his throne.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-11.htm">Deuteronomy 4:11</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2</a></b></br> 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, <i>even</i> to the years of many generations.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/16-18.htm">Canopy</a> <a href="/psalms/18-9.htm">Clouds</a> <a href="/psalms/17-8.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/psalms/18-9.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/18-9.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/psalms/17-12.htm">Hiding</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-38.htm">Hiding-Place</a> <a href="/psalms/9-12.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/job/36-29.htm">Pavilion</a> <a href="/psalms/11-6.htm">Rain</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/17-14.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/job/37-21.htm">Skies</a> <a href="/psalms/8-8.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/psalms/15-1.htm">Tabernacle</a> <a href="/psalms/15-1.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/psalms/18-9.htm">Thick</a> <a href="/psalms/6-6.htm">Water</a> <a href="/psalms/8-8.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/4-5.htm">Canopy</a> <a href="/psalms/18-12.htm">Clouds</a> <a href="/psalms/19-5.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/psalms/18-12.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/18-28.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/psalms/32-7.htm">Hiding</a> <a href="/psalms/32-7.htm">Hiding-Place</a> <a href="/psalms/18-32.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/psalms/19-5.htm">Pavilion</a> <a href="/psalms/18-13.htm">Rain</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/18-45.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Skies</a> <a href="/psalms/18-13.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/psalms/19-4.htm">Tabernacle</a> <a href="/psalms/19-4.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/psalms/18-12.htm">Thick</a> <a href="/psalms/18-15.htm">Water</a> <a href="/psalms/18-15.htm">Waters</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>He made darkness His hiding place</b><br>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 <a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Exodus 20:21</a>, 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 <a href="/1_kings/8-12.htm">1 Kings 8:12</a>, 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.<p><b>and storm clouds a canopy around Him</b><br>Storm clouds as a canopy emphasize God's majesty and power. In ancient Near Eastern culture, storm imagery was often associated with divine power and authority. This is evident in the depiction of deities like Baal, who was considered a storm god. However, the Bible reclaims this imagery to demonstrate Yahweh's supremacy over creation. In <a href="/job/38.htm">Job 38:1</a>, God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, showcasing His control over the natural elements. The canopy of storm clouds also signifies protection and the impenetrable nature of God's presence. This imagery is echoed in <a href="/psalms/97-2.htm">Psalm 97:2</a>, where clouds and thick darkness surround Him, righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. The storm clouds can also be seen as a type of Christ, who, in His first coming, veiled His divine nature in human form, and in His second coming, will return with power and great glory, as described in <a href="/matthew/24-30.htm">Matthew 24:30</a>.<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 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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as majestic and powerful, using elements of creation as His dwelling and covering.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/darkness_and_storm_clouds.htm">Darkness and Storm Clouds</a></b><br>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.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_majesty_and_mystery.htm">God's Majesty and Mystery</a></b><br>God's ways are often beyond human understanding, symbolized by darkness and storm clouds. This should lead us to a posture of humility and reverence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/protection_and_presence.htm">Protection and Presence</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_the_unseen.htm">Faith in the Unseen</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_creation.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Creation</a></b><br>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.<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/why_do_believers_doubt_god's_existence.htm">Why does God allow so many of His followers to doubt His existence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_horror_films.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian horror movies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_god_dwell_in_darkness_and_light.htm">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? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_18_20-24_align_with_2_sam_11.htm">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)?</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>(</span>11<span class= "ital">)</span> <span class= "bld">Secret place.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">veil. </span>Comp. <a href="/job/22-14.htm" title="Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he sees not; and he walks in the circuit of heaven.">Job 22:14</a>; <a href="/lamentations/3-44.htm" title="You have covered yourself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.">Lamentations 3:44</a>. A better arrangement of the members of this verse is, <span class= "ital">He made darkness His veil round about Him; His tent He made of dark waters and black clouds. </span>Literally, <span class= "ital">darkness of waters and blacknesses of clouds. </span>(Comp. <a href="/psalms/97-2.htm" title="Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.">Psalm 97:2</a>; <a href="/job/36-29.htm" title="Also can any understand the spreading of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?">Job 36:29</a>.) 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."<p>Always present to the Hebrew imagination, God is still invisible, veiled by thick clouds, and far withdrawn in His own ineffable brightness.<p>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.<p>"We often see, against some storm, . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He made darkness his secret place</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> 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. <span class="cmt_word">His pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.</span> 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" (<span class="hebrew">סבּה</span>), is mentioned again in <a href="/psalms/27-5.htm">Psalm 27:5</a> and Psalm 31:20. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/18-11.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">He made</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֤שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(yā·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7896.htm">Strong's 7896: </a> </span><span class="str2">To put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">darkness</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹ֨שֶׁךְ ׀</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·šeḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine 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 /><br /><span class="word">His hiding place,</span><br /><span class="heb">סִתְר֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(siṯ·rōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5643.htm">Strong's 5643: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covering, hiding place, secrecy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] storm</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֝֗יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">clouds</span><br /><span class="heb">עָבֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5645.htm">Strong's 5645: </a> </span><span class="str2">An envelope, darkness, a, cloud, a copse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a canopy</span><br /><span class="heb">סֻכָּת֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(suk·kā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5521.htm">Strong's 5521: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thicket, booth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">around Him.</span><br /><span class="heb">סְבִֽיבוֹתָ֥יו</span> <span class="translit">(sə·ḇî·ḇō·w·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5439.htm">Strong's 5439: </a> </span><span class="str2">A circle, neighbour, environs, around</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/18-11.htm">Psalm 18:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/18-11.htm">Psalm 18:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/18-11.htm">Psalm 18:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/18-11.htm">Psalm 18:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/18-11.htm">Psalm 18:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/18-11.htm">Psalm 18:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/18-11.htm">Psalm 18:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/18-11.htm">Psalm 18:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/18-11.htm">Psalm 18:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/18-11.htm">Psalm 18:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/18-11.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 18:11 He made darkness his hiding place his (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/18-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 18:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/18-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 18:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:12" /></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>