Commentary on Psalms Volume 1 John Calvin
COMMENTARY ON PSALMS
God covers the air with dark clouds, it is as if he spread a thick veil between him and men, to deprive them of the sight of his countenance, 402 just as if a king, incensed against his subjects, should retire into his secret chamber and hide himself from them. Those take a mistaken view of this verse who bring it forward to prove, in general, the hidden and mysterious character of the glory of God, as if David, with the view of restraining the presumption of human curiosity, had said that God is hidden in darkness in regard to men. God, it is true, is said to dwell in the light which no man can approach unto" (1 Timothy 6:16;) but the form of expression which David here employs, I have no doubt, ought to be restricted, according to the scope of the passage, to the sense which I have given.
Psalm 18:12-19
12. At the brightness which was before him, his clouds passed away; there was hail-storm and coals of fire. 13. Jehovah thundered in the heavens, and the Highest sent forth his voice; there was hail-storm and coals of fire. 14. He sent out his arrows, and scattered them, [or put them to flight;] he multiplied lightnings, 403 and put them into confusion. 15. The sources of the waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were disclosed at thy rebuke, O Jehovah! at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 404 16. He sent from on high, he took me, and drew me out of great waters. 17. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from my adversary; for they were too strong for me. 18. They had prevented me in the day of my calamity; but Jehovah was my support. 19. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he had a good will to me, [or because he loved me.]
12. At the brightness, etc. The Psalmist again returns to the lightnings which, by dividing and as it were cleaving the clouds, lay open the heaven; "C'est comme s'il tendoit un voile espes entre luy et les hommes, afin de leur oster le regard de sa face." — Fr.
In our English version it is, He shot out lightnings. The Hebrew word,רבבrabab, signifies both to multiply and to shoot. As the shooting of arrows is mentioned in the first clause of the verse, it may be presumed that it is the shooting of lightnings which is meant in the second clause, arrows and lightnings being contrasted. The reading of the Septuagint, Chaldee, Syriac, Vulgate, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, however, is the same as that of Calvin, — He multiplied lightnings.
"Ou de ton ire." — Fr. marg. "Or at thy wrath."