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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 18:34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/18-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/19_Psa_018_034.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 18:34 - The LORD is My Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></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/18-34.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/18-34.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 34</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="/ad1.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/18-33.htm" title="Psalm 18:33">◄</a> Psalm 18:34 <a href="/psalms/18-35.htm" title="Psalm 18:35">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </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 />He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He trains my hands for war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He trains my hands for war; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He trains my hands for war; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He teacheth my hands to war; So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You teach my hands to fight and my arms to use a bow of bronze. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He teacheth my hands to war; so that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He trains my hands for battle so that my arms can bend an [archer's] bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He trains me for battle, so that I can use the strongest bow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />who teaches my hands to make war, and my arms to bend a bronze bow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend even the strongest bow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Teaching my hands for battle, "" And a bow of bronze was brought down by my arms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Teaching my hands for battle, And a bow of brass was brought down by my arms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Teaching my hands to war, and a bow of brass was bent by mine arms.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who teacheth my hands to war: and thou hast made my arms like a brazen bow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 17:35>It is he who trains my hands for battle. And you have set my arms like a bow of brass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Who trained my hands for war, my arms to string a bow of bronze. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He trains my hands to war; and he strengthens my arms like a bow of brass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He teaches my hands to war and strengthens my arms like a brass bow.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Who traineth my hands for war, So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He instructs my hands for war: and thou hast made my arms <i>as</i> a brazen bow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/18-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=1731" 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">33</span>He makes my feet like those of a deer and stations me upon the heights. <span class="reftext">34</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3925.htm" title="3925: mə·lam·mêḏ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. to teach:(un-) accustomed, X diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er,ing).">He trains</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏay (N-fdc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">my hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: lam·mil·ḥā·māh (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">for battle;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2220.htm" title="2220: zə·rō·w·‘ō·ṯāy (N-fpc:: 1cs) -- Arm, shoulder, strength. Or zroao; and zrowpah; or zrowah; from zara'; the arm, or the foreleg; figuratively, force.">my arms</a> <a href="/hebrew/5181.htm" title="5181: wə·ni·ḥă·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To go down, descend. A primitive root; to sink, i.e. Descend; causatively, to press or lead down.">can bend</a> <a href="/hebrew/7198.htm" title="7198: qe·šeṯ- (N-fsc) -- A bow. From qashah in the original sense of bending: a bow, for shooting or the iris.">a bow</a> <a href="/hebrew/5154.htm" title="5154: nə·ḥū·šāh (N-fs) -- Copper, bronze. Or nchushah; feminine of nachuwsh; copper.">of bronze.</a> </span><span class="reftext">35</span>You have given me Your shield of salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your gentleness exalts me.…<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="/2_samuel/22-35.htm">2 Samuel 22:35</a></span><br />He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/144-1.htm">Psalm 144:1</a></span><br />Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-10.htm">Ephesians 6:10-17</a></span><br />Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-3.htm">2 Corinthians 10:3-4</a></span><br />For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Isaiah 45:1</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34-37</a></span><br />David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-3.htm">2 Timothy 2:3-4</a></span><br />Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. / A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a></span><br />Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-20.htm">Jeremiah 51:20</a></span><br />“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/3-10.htm">Judges 3:10</a></span><br />The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-2.htm">1 Chronicles 12:2</a></span><br />they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin):<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/10-5.htm">Zechariah 10:5</a></span><br />They will be like mighty men in battle, trampling the enemy in the mire of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put the horsemen to shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-50.htm">1 Samuel 17:50</a></span><br />Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-11.htm">1 Kings 20:11</a></span><br />And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/13-15.htm">2 Kings 13:15-17</a></span><br />Elisha told him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So Jehoash took a bow and some arrows. / Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So the king put his hand on the bow, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. / “Open the east window,” said Elisha. So he opened it and Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And Elisha declared: “This is the LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.</p><p class="hdg">teacheth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/144-1.htm">Psalm 144:1</a></b></br> <i>A Psalm</i> of David. Blessed <i>be</i> the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, <i>and</i> my fingers to fight:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/22-36.htm">2 Samuel 22:36</a></b></br> Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-6.htm">Isaiah 28:6</a></b></br> And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.</p><p class="hdg">so that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/46-9.htm">Psalm 46:9</a></b></br> He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/49-35.htm">Jeremiah 49:35</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/1-5.htm">Hosea 1:5</a></b></br> And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/18-32.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/job/41-8.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/psalms/17-13.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/psalms/18-9.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/job/41-27.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/psalms/11-3.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/job/41-27.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/esther/1-13.htm">Expert</a> <a href="/psalms/18-24.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/psalms/18-33.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/job/20-24.htm">Steel</a> <a href="/job/35-11.htm">Teaches</a> <a href="/job/36-22.htm">Teacheth</a> <a href="/psalms/2-10.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-35.htm">Traineth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-35.htm">Trains</a> <a href="/job/40-7.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/37-17.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/psalms/18-39.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/psalms/37-14.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/psalms/20-8.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/psalms/18-39.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/68-25.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/psalms/22-15.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/psalms/68-31.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-5.htm">Expert</a> <a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/psalms/18-35.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-12.htm">Steel</a> <a href="/psalms/25-9.htm">Teaches</a> <a href="/psalms/25-9.htm">Teacheth</a> <a href="/psalms/32-8.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/psalms/144-1.htm">Traineth</a> <a href="/psalms/144-1.htm">Trains</a> <a href="/psalms/24-8.htm">War</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/psalms/18.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>He trains my hands for battle</b><br />This phrase emphasizes the divine preparation and empowerment that God provides to His followers. The Hebrew word for "trains" is "לָמַד" (lamad), which implies teaching or instructing. In the context of ancient Israel, warriors were often trained rigorously for physical combat. Spiritually, this suggests that God equips His people with the necessary skills and wisdom to face life's challenges. The imagery of "hands" signifies action and capability, indicating that God not only prepares the heart and mind but also the physical abilities needed for spiritual warfare.<p><b>my arms can bend a bow of bronze</b><br />The phrase "arms can bend a bow of bronze" illustrates extraordinary strength and capability. In ancient times, a bow made of bronze would be incredibly difficult to bend, symbolizing a level of strength beyond natural human ability. The Hebrew word for "bend" is "נָחַת" (nachat), which can also mean to descend or to bring down, suggesting a powerful force. This imagery conveys that with God's empowerment, believers can achieve what seems impossible. Historically, bronze was a symbol of durability and strength, further emphasizing the supernatural empowerment that God provides to His faithful. This verse, therefore, serves as a reminder of the divine strength available to believers, enabling them to overcome formidable challenges.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(34) <span class= "bld">So that a bow.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">and mine arms bend a bow of copper. </span>For the <span class= "ital">copper bow </span>comp. <a href="/job/20-24.htm" title="He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.">Job 20:24</a>. <span class= "ital">Nechushah, </span><span class= "greekheb">??????</span>, is certainly not <span class= "ital">steel, </span>whether the custom of hardening iron was known to the Jews or not (see <a href="/jeremiah/15-12.htm" title="Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?">Jeremiah 15:12</a>, and art. "Steel," in Smith's <span class= "ital">Biblical Dict.</span>)<span class= "ital">. </span>The LXX. and Vulgate have, "thou hast made mine arms a bow of copper." For this test of strength we naturally compare the famous bow of Ulysses--<p>"So the great master drew the mighty bow,<p>And drew with ease."--<span class= "ital">Odyssey, </span>POPE'S <span class= "ital">trans.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 34.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He teacheth my hands to war,</span> <span class="cmt_word">so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/144-1.htm">Psalm 144:1</a>). "A bow of steel" is a mistranslation, since <span class="accented">nechusha</span> (<span class="hebrew">נְחוּשָׁה</span>) is not "steel," but "brass," or rather "bronze "-and bows of steel were unknown to the ancients. Compare the comment on Job 20:24 ('Homiletic Commentary,' p. 352). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/18-34.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 trains</span><br /><span class="heb">מְלַמֵּ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(mə·lam·mêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3925.htm">Strong's 3925: </a> </span><span class="str2">To exercise in, learn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my hands</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֭דַי</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for battle;</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(lam·mil·ḥā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> </span><span class="str2">A battle, war</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my arms</span><br /><span class="heb">זְרוֹעֹתָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(zə·rō·w·‘ō·ṯāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2220.htm">Strong's 2220: </a> </span><span class="str2">The arm, the foreleg, force</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can bend</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽנִחֲתָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ni·ḥă·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5181.htm">Strong's 5181: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sink, descend, to press, lead down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a bow</span><br /><span class="heb">קֶֽשֶׁת־</span> <span class="translit">(qe·šeṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7198.htm">Strong's 7198: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bow, for, shooting, the iris</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of bronze.</span><br /><span class="heb">נְ֝חוּשָׁ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ḥū·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5154.htm">Strong's 5154: </a> </span><span class="str2">Copper, bronze</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/18-34.htm">Psalm 18:34 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/18-34.htm">Psalm 18:34 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/18-34.htm">Psalm 18:34 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/18-34.htm">Psalm 18:34 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/18-34.htm">Psalm 18:34 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/18-34.htm">Psalm 18:34 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/18-34.htm">Psalm 18:34 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/18-34.htm">Psalm 18:34 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/18-34.htm">Psalm 18:34 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/18-34.htm">Psalm 18:34 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/18-34.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 18:34 He teaches my hands to war so (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/18-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 18:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/18-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 18:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:35" /></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>