Psalm 18:34
New International Version
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

New Living Translation
He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.

English Standard Version
He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Berean Standard Bible
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

King James Bible
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

New King James Version
He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

New American Standard Bible
He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

NASB 1995
He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

NASB 1977
He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Legacy Standard Bible
He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Amplified Bible
He trains my hands for war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Christian Standard Bible
He trains my hands for war; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He trains my hands for war; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

American Standard Version
He teacheth my hands to war; So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.

Contemporary English Version
You teach my hands to fight and my arms to use a bow of bronze.

English Revised Version
He teacheth my hands to war; so that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He trains my hands for battle so that my arms can bend an [archer's] bow of bronze.

Good News Translation
He trains me for battle, so that I can use the strongest bow.

International Standard Version
who teaches my hands to make war, and my arms to bend a bronze bow.

Majority Standard Bible
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

NET Bible
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend even the strongest bow.

New Heart English Bible
He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.

Webster's Bible Translation
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.

World English Bible
He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Teaching my hands for battle, "" And a bow of bronze was brought down by my arms.

Young's Literal Translation
Teaching my hands for battle, And a bow of brass was brought down by my arms.

Smith's Literal Translation
Teaching my hands to war, and a bow of brass was bent by mine arms.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who teacheth my hands to war: and thou hast made my arms like a brazen bow.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It is he who trains my hands for battle. And you have set my arms like a bow of brass.

New American Bible
Who trained my hands for war, my arms to string a bow of bronze.

New Revised Standard Version
He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He trains my hands to war; and he strengthens my arms like a bow of brass.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He teaches my hands to war and strengthens my arms like a brass bow.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who traineth my hands for war, So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He instructs my hands for war: and thou hast made my arms as a brazen bow.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD is My Rock
33He makes my feet like those of a deer and stations me upon the heights. 34He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35You have given me Your shield of salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your gentleness exalts me.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 22:35
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalm 144:1
Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Ephesians 6:10-17
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. ...

2 Corinthians 10:3-4
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.

Isaiah 45:1
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:

1 Samuel 17:34-37
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.” ...

2 Timothy 2:3-4
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.

Isaiah 41:10
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.

Jeremiah 51:20
“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin.

Judges 3:10
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.

1 Chronicles 12:2
they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin):

Zechariah 10:5
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.

1 Samuel 17:50
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.

1 Kings 20:11
And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”

2 Kings 13:15-17
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.”


Treasury of Scripture

He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.

teacheth

Psalm 144:1
A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

2 Samuel 22:36
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Isaiah 28:6
And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

so that

Psalm 46:9
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.

Jeremiah 49:35
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

Hosea 1:5
And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

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Psalm 18
1. David praises God for his manifold and marvelous blessings














He trains my hands for battle
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.

my arms can bend a bow of bronze
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.

(34) So that a bow.--Better, and mine arms bend a bow of copper. For the copper bow comp. Job 20:24. Nechushah, ??????, is certainly not steel, whether the custom of hardening iron was known to the Jews or not (see Jeremiah 15:12, and art. "Steel," in Smith's Biblical Dict.). 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--

"So the great master drew the mighty bow,

And drew with ease."--Odyssey, POPE'S trans.

Verse 34. - He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms (comp. Psalm 144:1). "A bow of steel" is a mistranslation, since nechusha (נְחוּשָׁה) 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).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He trains
מְלַמֵּ֣ד (mə·lam·mêḏ)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3925: To exercise in, learn

my hands
יָ֭דַי (yā·ḏay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

for battle;
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

my arms
זְרוֹעֹתָֽי׃ (zə·rō·w·‘ō·ṯāy)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2220: The arm, the foreleg, force

can bend
וְֽנִחֲתָ֥ה (wə·ni·ḥă·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5181: To sink, descend, to press, lead down

a bow
קֶֽשֶׁת־ (qe·šeṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris

of bronze.
נְ֝חוּשָׁ֗ה (nə·ḥū·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5154: Copper, bronze


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OT Poetry: Psalm 18:34 He teaches my hands to war so (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 18:33
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