He cloaks His glory in mystery, yet remains in complete control.
David, Israel’s second king (reigning approximately 1010 - 970 B.C.) and the author of this psalm, proclaims, “He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.” (v.11). The use of darkness here demonstrates how God’s power transcends human comprehension. Shadows and thick clouds evoke a sense of God’s unapproachable majesty, reminding believers that He is far beyond what any mortal can fully understand. In the ancient world, a king’s throne room was inaccessible to most, reflecting the separation between sovereign power and common subjects. In the same way, God’s canopy of darkness emphasizes His limitless glory and might, which we can revere but never fully penetrate.
When David describes God taking darkness as His hiding place, it underlines God’s dominion over the entire natural realm. The thick clouds of the skies symbolize His authority over creation, suggesting that nothing—neither the dim unknown nor raging storms—escapes His control. This imagery also aligns with other parts of Scripture where God is portrayed as enveloped in a cloud to display His presence (Exodus 13:21). It is a reminder that at times, God’s actions or presence may seem hidden, yet He is continually working for the good of His people. From a New Testament perspective, Jesus’s crucifixion was surrounded by darkness (Mark 15:33), a majestic sign of God’s purposeful, yet incomprehensible plan unfolding to redeem humanity.
This verse further reinforces the importance of standing in awe of God’s holiness and mystery. By emphasizing His use of seeming obscurity as a covering, the Scripture invites readers to trust God even when His ways are not immediately visible. Dark waters and thick clouds might appear overwhelming or fearsome, but they serve as signs of His magnificence rather than impenetrable barriers. Though God’s ways may not always be clear, faith calls us to lean on His sovereignty and embrace the truth that He is infinitely wiser and more powerful than we can imagine.
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Psalms 18:11 meaning
David, Israel’s second king (reigning approximately 1010 - 970 B.C.) and the author of this psalm, proclaims, “He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.” (v.11). The use of darkness here demonstrates how God’s power transcends human comprehension. Shadows and thick clouds evoke a sense of God’s unapproachable majesty, reminding believers that He is far beyond what any mortal can fully understand. In the ancient world, a king’s throne room was inaccessible to most, reflecting the separation between sovereign power and common subjects. In the same way, God’s canopy of darkness emphasizes His limitless glory and might, which we can revere but never fully penetrate.
When David describes God taking darkness as His hiding place, it underlines God’s dominion over the entire natural realm. The thick clouds of the skies symbolize His authority over creation, suggesting that nothing—neither the dim unknown nor raging storms—escapes His control. This imagery also aligns with other parts of Scripture where God is portrayed as enveloped in a cloud to display His presence (Exodus 13:21). It is a reminder that at times, God’s actions or presence may seem hidden, yet He is continually working for the good of His people. From a New Testament perspective, Jesus’s crucifixion was surrounded by darkness (Mark 15:33), a majestic sign of God’s purposeful, yet incomprehensible plan unfolding to redeem humanity.
This verse further reinforces the importance of standing in awe of God’s holiness and mystery. By emphasizing His use of seeming obscurity as a covering, the Scripture invites readers to trust God even when His ways are not immediately visible. Dark waters and thick clouds might appear overwhelming or fearsome, but they serve as signs of His magnificence rather than impenetrable barriers. Though God’s ways may not always be clear, faith calls us to lean on His sovereignty and embrace the truth that He is infinitely wiser and more powerful than we can imagine.