Psalms 18:11 - He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
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What does "Psalms 18:11" mean?
Psalm 18:11, "He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies," is a powerful metaphor describing God's power, mystery, and majesty. Let's break down the meaning:
"He made darkness his hiding place...": This speaks to God's transcendence and inscrutability. Darkness is often associated with the unknown, the mysterious, and the things beyond human comprehension. God is not fully knowable or accessible in a direct, simplistic way. He is beyond our ability to fully grasp. It suggests that God's essence and plans are often veiled, hidden from plain sight. It's not that He's trying to deceive us, but rather that His being is beyond our limited human understanding.
"...his pavilion around him...": A pavilion is a tent or shelter. This implies a protective covering or enclosure. God is surrounded by darkness, not as a prison, but as a royal guard or shield. It speaks to His power and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. He is shielded by something that we cannot easily penetrate.
"...darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies": This further clarifies the "darkness" of the verse. It's not simply an absence of light, but specifically the darkness associated with:
"Waters": In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the waters above the sky were seen as a chaotic and powerful force. These waters were a source of both life-giving rain and destructive floods. The darkness of these waters is symbolic of God's control over chaotic forces.
"Thick clouds of the skies": Thick clouds can obscure the sun, bringing darkness and sometimes storms. They represent God's power to obscure and control the elements. They also suggest His presence is majestic and awe-inspiring like a storm cloud.
Overall Meaning:
The verse is a poetic way of saying:
God is Powerful and Majestic: The darkness and clouds are associated with immense power and uncontrollable natural forces.
God is Mysterious and Transcendent: We cannot fully see or understand God. His ways are beyond our human capacity to fully comprehend.
God is Protected and Sovereign: He is surrounded by his own power and glory. The darkness is not a threat to Him, but a sign of His control and majesty.
God is Both Creator and Controller of Chaos: The reference to waters echoes creation narratives, implying God's dominion over the chaotic forces of the universe.
In essence, the verse inspires awe and reverence for God, highlighting His incomprehensible power and the limitations of human understanding. It reminds us that God is not easily defined or contained by our human perspectives.
Psalms 18:11 - He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
What does "Psalms 18:11" mean?
Psalm 18:11, "He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies," is a powerful metaphor describing God's power, mystery, and majesty. Let's break down the meaning:
"He made darkness his hiding place...": This speaks to God's transcendence and inscrutability. Darkness is often associated with the unknown, the mysterious, and the things beyond human comprehension. God is not fully knowable or accessible in a direct, simplistic way. He is beyond our ability to fully grasp. It suggests that God's essence and plans are often veiled, hidden from plain sight. It's not that He's trying to deceive us, but rather that His being is beyond our limited human understanding.
"...his pavilion around him...": A pavilion is a tent or shelter. This implies a protective covering or enclosure. God is surrounded by darkness, not as a prison, but as a royal guard or shield. It speaks to His power and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. He is shielded by something that we cannot easily penetrate.
"...darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies": This further clarifies the "darkness" of the verse. It's not simply an absence of light, but specifically the darkness associated with:
"Waters": In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the waters above the sky were seen as a chaotic and powerful force. These waters were a source of both life-giving rain and destructive floods. The darkness of these waters is symbolic of God's control over chaotic forces.
"Thick clouds of the skies": Thick clouds can obscure the sun, bringing darkness and sometimes storms. They represent God's power to obscure and control the elements. They also suggest His presence is majestic and awe-inspiring like a storm cloud.
Overall Meaning:
The verse is a poetic way of saying:
God is Powerful and Majestic: The darkness and clouds are associated with immense power and uncontrollable natural forces.
God is Mysterious and Transcendent: We cannot fully see or understand God. His ways are beyond our human capacity to fully comprehend.
God is Protected and Sovereign: He is surrounded by his own power and glory. The darkness is not a threat to Him, but a sign of His control and majesty.
God is Both Creator and Controller of Chaos: The reference to waters echoes creation narratives, implying God's dominion over the chaotic forces of the universe.
In essence, the verse inspires awe and reverence for God, highlighting His incomprehensible power and the limitations of human understanding. It reminds us that God is not easily defined or contained by our human perspectives.