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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 18:4 The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/18-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/19_Psa_018_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 18:4 - The LORD is My Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me." /><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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the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The pangs of death surrounded me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of death encompassed me, And the torrents of destruction terrified me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me, And the torrents of vileness terrified me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The cords of death surrounded me, And the streams of ungodliness <i>and</i> torrents of destruction terrified me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of death were wrapped around me; the torrents of destruction terrified me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of death were wrapped around me; the torrents of destruction terrified me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The cords of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Death had wrapped its ropes around me, and I was almost swallowed by its flooding waters. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The cords of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The ropes of death had become tangled around me. The torrents of destruction had overwhelmed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The danger of death was all around me; the waves of destruction rolled over me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The cords of death entangled me; the rivers of Belial made me afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The waves of death engulfed me, the currents of chaos overwhelmed me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The waves of death surrounded me, and the currents of ungodliness overwhelmed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The cords of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Cords of death have surrounded me, "" And streams of the worthless make me afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Compassed me have cords of death, And streams of the worthless make me afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The pains of death surrounded me, and the torrents of Belial made me afraid.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The sorrows of death surrounded me: and the torrents of iniquity troubled me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 17:5>The sorrows of death surrounded me, and the torrents of iniquity dismayed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction terrified me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of perdition assailed me;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the pains of death surrounded me, and the rush of ungodly men have confused me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because the destructions of death surrounded me and the torrents of evil ones troubled me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The cords of Death compassed me, And the floods of Belial assailed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The pangs of death compassed me, and the torrents of ungodliness troubled me exceedingly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/18-4.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=1520" 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">3</span>I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2256.htm" title="2256: ḥeḇ·lê- (N-mpc) -- A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin.">The cords</a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: mā·weṯ (N-ms) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">of death</a> <a href="/hebrew/661.htm" title="661: ’ă·p̄ā·p̄ū·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- To surround, encompass. A primitive root; to surround.">encompassed me;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5158.htm" title="5158: wə·na·ḥă·lê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Or nachlah; or nachalah; from nachal in its original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; a valley; also a shaft.">the torrents</a> <a href="/hebrew/1100.htm" title="1100: ḇə·lî·ya·‘al (N-ms) -- Worthlessness. From bliy and ya'al; without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness.">of chaos</a> <a href="/hebrew/1204.htm" title="1204: yə·ḇa·‘ă·ṯū·nî (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp:: 1cs) -- To fall upon, startle, terrify. A primitive root; to fear.">overwhelmed me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted 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/22-5.htm">2 Samuel 22:5</a></span><br />For the waves of death engulfed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/2-3.htm">Jonah 2:3-6</a></span><br />For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me. / At this, I said, ‘I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.’ / The waters engulfed me to take my life; the watery depths closed around me; the seaweed wrapped around my head. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-1.htm">Psalm 69:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck. / I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3</a></span><br />The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8-11</a></span><br />Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, / when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, / when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-10.htm">Isaiah 51:10</a></span><br />Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-54.htm">Lamentations 3:54-55</a></span><br />The waters flowed over my head, and I thought I was going to die. / I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/42-7.htm">Psalm 42:7</a></span><br />Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/124-4.htm">Psalm 124:4-5</a></span><br />then the floods would have engulfed us, then the torrent would have overwhelmed us, / then the raging waters would have swept us away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-28.htm">Isaiah 30:28</a></span><br />His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Matthew 12:40</a></span><br />For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-25.htm">Luke 21:25</a></span><br />There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-8.htm">2 Corinthians 1:8-10</a></span><br />We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. / He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-35.htm">Romans 8:35-39</a></span><br />Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-55.htm">1 Corinthians 15:55-57</a></span><br />“Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” / The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. / But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.</p><p class="hdg">sorrows</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3</a></b></br> The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/22-5.htm">2 Samuel 22:5,6</a></b></br> When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Isaiah 13:8</a></b></br> And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces <i>shall be as</i> flames.</p><p class="hdg">floods</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12,13,16</a></b></br> Many bulls have compassed me: strong <i>bulls</i> of Bashan have beset me round… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jonah/2-2.htm">Jonah 2:2-7</a></b></br> And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, <i>and</i> thou heardest my voice… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/26-47.htm">Matthew 26:47,55</a></b></br> And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people… </p><p class="hdg">ungodly men [Heb.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/3-6.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-5.htm">Assailed</a> <a href="/psalms/2-3.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/job/34-18.htm">Belial</a> <a href="/psalms/17-11.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/2-3.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/psalms/17-9.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/9-6.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/psalms/17-11.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-6.htm">Entangled</a> <a href="/psalms/17-3.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/15-4.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/job/38-34.htm">Floods</a> <a href="/psalms/14-5.htm">Overwhelmed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-5.htm">Perdition</a> <a href="/psalms/17-11.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/8-8.htm">Seas</a> <a href="/psalms/16-4.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Streams</a> <a href="/psalms/17-11.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/job/41-25.htm">Terrified</a> <a href="/job/38-25.htm">Torrents</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-5.htm">Ungodliness</a> <a href="/psalms/3-7.htm">Ungodly</a> <a href="/psalms/4-2.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/18-45.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-5.htm">Assailed</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/psalms/41-8.htm">Belial</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/18-8.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Entangled</a> <a href="/psalms/18-21.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/18-45.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/psalms/24-2.htm">Floods</a> <a href="/psalms/38-4.htm">Overwhelmed</a> <a href="/john/17-12.htm">Perdition</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/24-2.htm">Seas</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/psalms/18-15.htm">Streams</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/psalms/48-5.htm">Terrified</a> <a href="/psalms/74-15.htm">Torrents</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Ungodliness</a> <a href="/psalms/35-16.htm">Ungodly</a> <a href="/psalms/31-6.htm">Worthless</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>The cords of death encompassed me;</b><br>This phrase evokes a vivid image of being trapped or ensnared by death, suggesting a situation of extreme peril or distress. In biblical times, cords or ropes were often used to bind or capture, symbolizing a lack of freedom and impending doom. The imagery of being surrounded by death can be seen in other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3</a>, where the psalmist speaks of the "cords of death" and "anguish of the grave." This reflects a common theme in the Psalms, where the writer often finds themselves in dire situations, calling out to God for deliverance. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who faced the ultimate cords of death on the cross, yet overcame them through His resurrection, offering believers hope and victory over death.<p><b>the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.</b><br>The term "torrents" suggests a powerful, rushing flood, which in ancient Near Eastern culture often symbolized overwhelming trouble or judgment. The word "chaos" here can be understood as a state of disorder and confusion, reflecting the psalmist's experience of being engulfed by life's tumultuous challenges. This imagery is reminiscent of the floodwaters in Genesis, which brought destruction but also led to a new beginning for Noah and his family. In a broader biblical context, water often represents both judgment and salvation, as seen in the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and Jesus calming the storm (<a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39</a>). The overwhelming nature of these torrents can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual battles, where believers may feel overpowered by sin and evil, yet are reminded of God's sovereignty and power to save.<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 delivering him from his enemies, including King Saul. This psalm is a song of thanksgiving for God's deliverance and protection.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/cords_of_death.htm">Cords of Death</a></b><br>This phrase symbolizes the threats and dangers that David faced, which felt like being ensnared by death itself. It reflects the perilous situations he encountered.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/torrents_of_chaos.htm">Torrents of Chaos</a></b><br>This imagery represents overwhelming challenges and turmoil, akin to being swept away by a flood. It signifies the intense trials David experienced.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a></b><br>While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm includes David's adversaries, particularly King Saul, who sought his life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_deliverance.htm">God's Deliverance</a></b><br>The overarching event in this psalm is God's intervention and rescue of David from his dire circumstances, highlighting God's power and faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_warfare.htm">Understanding Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Recognize that the "cords of death" and "torrents of chaos" can represent spiritual battles and trials in our lives. We must be vigilant and rely on God's strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_in_deliverance.htm">God's Faithfulness in Deliverance</a></b><br>Just as God delivered David, He is faithful to deliver us from our own trials. Trust in His timing and methods.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_in_times_of_distress.htm">Prayer in Times of Distress</a></b><br>Like David, we should turn to God in prayer when overwhelmed. He hears our cries and is our refuge.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_testimony.htm">The Power of Testimony</a></b><br>Sharing our experiences of God's deliverance can encourage others and strengthen their faith, just as David's psalm has done for generations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Hope in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Even when chaos surrounds us, we can have hope because God is sovereign and in control, working all things for our good.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">The sorrows of death.</span>--The Hebrew word may mean either <span class= "ital">birth pangs </span>(LXX. and <a href="/acts/2-24.htm" title="Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held of it.">Acts 2:24</a>, where see Note, <span class= "ital">New Testament Commentary</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>or <span class= "ital">cords. </span>The figure of the hunter in the next verse, "the snares of death," determines its meaning there to be <span class= "ital">cords </span>(see margin). It is best, therefore, to keep the same rendering here: but there can be little doubt that the version in Samuel, <span class= "ital">breakers, </span>or <span class= "ital">waves, </span>is the true one, from the parallelism--<p>"Waves of death compassed me,<p>And billows of Belial terrified me."<p>For <span class= "ital">Belial, </span>see <a href="/deuteronomy/13-13.htm" title="Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known;">Deuteronomy 13:13</a>. Here the parallelism fixes its meaning, "ruin." For the ideas of peril and destruction, connected by the Hebrews with waves and floods, comp. <a href="/psalms/18-16.htm" title="He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.">Psalm 18:16</a>, also <a href="/psalms/32-6.htm" title="For this shall every one that is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come near to him.">Psalm 32:6</a>; <a href="/psalms/42-7.htm" title="Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterspouts: all your waves and your billows are gone over me.">Psalm 42:7</a>; <a href="/psalms/69-1.htm" title="Save me, O God; for the waters are come in to my soul.">Psalm 69:1</a>. Doubtless the tradition of the Flood and of the Red Sea helped to strengthen the apprehensions natural in a country where the river annually overflowed its banks. and where a dry ravine might at any moment become a dangerous flood. The hatred of the sea arose from quite another cause--viz., the dread of it as a highway for invasion. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The sorrows of death compassed me</span>. Here begins the narrative of David's sufferings in the past. "'The sorrows' - or rather, 'the cords' - of death," he says, "encompassed me," or "coiled around me" (Kay). Death is represented as a hunter, who goes out with nets and cords, encompassing his victims and driving them into the toils. David's recollection is probably of the time when he was "hunted upon the mountains" by Saul (<a href="/1_samuel/26-20.htm">1 Samuel 26:20</a>), and expected continually to be caught and put to death (<a href="/1_samuel/19-1.htm">1 Samuel 19:1</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/23-15.htm">1 Samuel 23:15</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/27-1.htm">1 Samuel 27:1</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And the floods of ungodlymen made me afraid</span>; literally, <span class="accented">the torrents of Belial</span>, or <span class="accented">of ungodliness.</span> The LXX. have <span class="greek">χείμαῥῤοι</span>, <span class="greek">ἀνομίας</span>. Streams of ungodly men, the myrmidons of Saul, cut him off from escape. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/18-4.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">The cords</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶבְלֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḥeḇ·lê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2256.htm">Strong's 2256: </a> </span><span class="str2">A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of death</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֑וֶת</span> <span class="translit">(mā·weṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">encompassed me;</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲפָפ֥וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·p̄ā·p̄ū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_661.htm">Strong's 661: </a> </span><span class="str2">To surround, encompass</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the torrents</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽנַחֲלֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·na·ḥă·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5158.htm">Strong's 5158: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of chaos</span><br /><span class="heb">בְלִיַּ֣עַל</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·lî·ya·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1100.htm">Strong's 1100: </a> </span><span class="str2">Without profit, worthlessness, destruction, wickedness </span><br /><br /><span class="word">overwhelmed me.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְבַֽעֲתֽוּנִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḇa·‘ă·ṯū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1204.htm">Strong's 1204: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall upon, startle, terrify</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 18:4 The cords of death surrounded me (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/18-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 18:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/18-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 18:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:5" /></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>