Psalm 18:34-35
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The strength described here isn't just raw power, but a divinely-given ability to break through what seems impossibly strong, like a bow made of bronze. This isn't about David's natural prowess, but a supernatural empowerment from God that equips him for the impossible tasks he faces.
He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this psalm, David recounts how God has equipped him for battle, making him incredibly strong and skilled in warfare. This comes after he describes God's powerful intervention in delivering him from all his enemies, comparing it to a divine storm. He emphasizes that his strength and success, like his ability to bend a bronze bow, are entirely gifts from God, not his own doing.
Ever feel like you're thrown into a fight without any training? David understood that feeling, but he also knew who the real coach was.
A God Who Equips
David declares, 'He teaches my hands to war.' This isn't just about military skill; it's a profound statement about God's active involvement in equipping us for life's challenges.
More Than Just Muscle
What does it mean to bend a 'bow of bronze'? It's more than just brute strength; it speaks to a divine capacity that defies natural limits.
Strength Beyond Measure
The phrase 'bow of bronze' (or copper, in some translations) is a powerful metaphor for extraordinary strength and the ability to overcome immense obstacles.
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Understanding the Metaphor
Understand the original words
yeshuah · Hebrew Noun
The divine intervention that rescues, delivers, and preserves a person from spiritual and physical enemies; it is the comprehensive work of God for the benefit of His people.
yamin · Hebrew Noun
A symbol of power, authority, and active divine intervention; in Scripture, it is the primary instrument of God's work, judgment, and upholding of the righteous.
anavah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to God's condescension, humility, and tender care toward His people despite His infinite majesty; it is the grace that transforms the humble.
This verse speaks to the immense physical strength and martial skill David attributed to God's direct empowerment, likely during his many military campaigns as king.
c. 1010 BC— this verse
David becomes King of Israel
After years of conflict with Saul, David is finally established as the sole king over all Israel, consolidating his power and beginning his military campaigns.
c. 1000 BC
David conquers Jerusalem
David captures the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem, making it his capital and a strategic military base for his growing kingdom.
c. 990 BC
David expands his kingdom
David wages successful wars against surrounding nations like the Philistines, Moabites, and Syrians, significantly expanding Israel's territory and influence.
This passage describes David picking up stones to fight Goliath, highlighting his reliance on God for strength and skill in combat, similar to how he trusts God to train his hands for war in Psalms 18.
2 Samuel 22:35This verse, which is a parallel account to Psalms 18, also attributes David's military prowess and strength to God, reinforcing the idea that his abilities were divinely enabled.
Jeremiah 15:12This verse speaks of breaking the 'northern iron and bronze' and shows a similar concept of God empowering His people to overcome seemingly insurmountable strength, much like David bending a bronze bow.
Ephesians 6:10-11This New Testament passage calls believers to put on the 'full armor of God' to stand against spiritual forces, drawing a parallel to David's reliance on God for protection and equipping in his earthly battles.
ellicottPsalms 18:34: "He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms."
(34) So that a bow. —Better, and mine arms bend a bow of copper. For the copper bow comp. Job 20:24 . Nechushah, χαλκὸς , 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 fam…
calvinPsalms 18:33-36: "He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places."
- Making my feet like hinds' [427] feet, and he hath set me upon my high places. 34. Teaching my hands to war: and a bow of steel [428] will be broken by my arms. 35. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation; and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy clemency hath increased me. 36. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, and my feet have not staggered.
David, having taken many strongholds…
The strength described here isn't just raw power, but a divinely-given ability to break through what seems impossibly strong, like a bow made of bronze. This isn't about David's natural prowess, but a supernatural empowerment from God that equips him for the impossible tasks he faces.
In this psalm, David recounts how God has equipped him for battle, making him incredibly strong and skilled in warfare. This comes after he describes God's powerful intervention in delivering him from all his enemies, comparing it to a divine storm. He emphasizes that his strength and success, like his ability to bend a bronze bow, are entirely gifts from God, not his own doing.
In this psalm, David recounts how God has equipped him for battle, making him incredibly strong and skilled in warfare. This comes after he describes God's powerful intervention in delivering him from all his enemies, comparing it to a divine storm. He emphasizes that his strength and success, like his ability to bend a bronze bow, are entirely gifts from God, not his own doing.
"He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great." — The strength described here isn't just raw power, but a divinely-given ability to break through what seems impossibly strong, like a bow made of bronze. This isn't about David's natural prowess, but…
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Last reviewed October 2026
