Nephi’s Psalm

David Grant Stewart, Sr.

In this installment, I will provide a metric whereby the accuracy of transcription and translation of the Old Testament may be assessed. This seems so simple, though, that surely others must have also noted this similarity, so I am adding to it something that I do not think is known to anyone else, yet I explained in a previous installment - namely, that Psalm 18 is a prophetic description of the man called Nephi in the Book of Mormon. I have put everything together here for your convenience, so you can judge everything for yourself and establish your own conclusions.

First, the promised internal metric in the Old Testament: It turns out that Psalm 18 is repeated identically in 2 Samuel. Any differences are due to scribal error or translation differences.

Which is the more accurate? Let’s ask another question - which is older, the second book of Samuel, or the book of Psalms? Psalms is older. How do I know? Consider this:

1 Samuel 9:9
9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for [he that is] now [called] a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)
In a previous installment, I shared my discovery that the Urim and Thummim were taken from Jerusalem at the time of its fall under the siege of the army of Nebuchadnezzer, about 588 B.C. The books of Samuel were written after this time as you can see. The book of Psalms was written about one thousand B.C.

Now, for your amusement, you have several tools below. First, Psalm 18. Then the version of Psalm 18 recorded in the 2nd book of Samuel. From these two you may assess the degree of transcription and translation variance in two manuscripts half a millennium apart. Finally, there are inserted the references in the Book of Nephi which allow you to judge for yourself what prophet the psalmist is referring to - it certainly is not himself (King David) which you can tell by the repeated claims that he has clean hands and has never broken a serious commandment - a claim which does apply in fact, to Nephi.
I hope you find this interesting.

Psalms 18:1
And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
Psalms 18:2
2 The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.
2 Samuel 22:2
2 And he said, The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
2 Samuel 22:3
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
2 Nephi 4:30
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
2 Nephi 4:31
31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

Psalms 18:3
3 I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
2 Samuel 22:4
4 I will call on the LORD, [who is] worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Psalms 18:4
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
2 Samuel 22:5
5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;

Psalms 18:5
5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
2 Samuel 22:6
6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;

Psalms 18:6
6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.
2 Samuel 22:7
7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry [did enter] into his ears.

Psalms 18:7
7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
2 Samuel 22:8
8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.

Psalms 18:8
8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
2 Samuel 22:9
9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

Psalms 18:9
9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness [was] under his feet.
Samuel 22:10
10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness [was] under his feet.

Psalms 18:10
10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
2 Samuel 22:11
11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
[I should note here that in old manuscripts, the word for spirit is often used interchangeably with the word wind - for example, Latin “spiritus” may be translated either way - a “spiritus lentus” as any Latin scholar knows, is a direction for a light breathing or aspiration in pronouncing a word.]
2 Nephi 4:25
25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

Psalms 18:11
11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies.
2 Samuel 22:12
12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, [and] thick clouds of the skies.

Psalms 18:12
12 At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire.
2 Samuel 22:13
13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.

Psalms 18:13
13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire.
2 Samuel 22:14
14 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
1 Nephi 16:39
39 And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, even the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them, and did chasten them exceedingly; and after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger, and did repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food, that we did not perish.

Psalms 18:14
14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
2 Samuel 22:15
15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.

Psalms 18:15
15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
2 Samuel 22:16
16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

Psalms 18:16
16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
2 Samuel 22:17
17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
2 Nephi 4:20
20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

Psalms 18:17
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
2 Samuel 22:18
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, [and] from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
1 Nephi 7:17
17 But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.
1 Nephi 7:18
18 And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again.

Psalms 18:18
18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
2 Samuel 22:19
19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

Psalms 18:19
19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
2 Samuel 22:20
20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Psalms 18:20
20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
2 Samuel 22:21
21 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

Psalms 18:21
21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
2 Samuel 22:22
22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

Psalms 18:22
22 For all his judgments [were] before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
2 Samuel 22:23
23 For all his judgments [were] before me: and [as for] his statutes, I did not depart from them.

Psalms 18:23
23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
2 Samuel 22:24
24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.

Psalms 18:24
24 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
2 Samuel 22:25
25 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.

Psalms 18:25
25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
2 Samuel 22:26
26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, [and] with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.

Psalms 18:26
26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
2 Samuel 22:27
27 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.

Psalms 18:27
27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
2 Samuel 22:28
28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes [are] upon the haughty, [that] thou mayest bring [them] down.

Psalms 18:28
28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
2 Samuel 22:29
29 For thou [art] my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.

Psalms 18:29
29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
2 Samuel 22:30
30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
Psalms 18:30
30 [As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him.
2 Samuel 22:31
31 [As for] God, his way [is] perfect; the word of the LORD [is] tried: he [is] a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Psalms 18:31
31 For who [is] God save the LORD? or who [is] a rock save our God?
2 Samuel 22:32
32 For who [is] God, save the LORD? and who [is] a rock, save our God?

Psalms 18:32
32 [It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
2 Samuel 22:33
33 God [is] my strength [and] power: and he maketh my way perfect.

Psalms 18:33
33 He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet], and setteth me upon my high places.
2 Samuel 22:34
34 He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet]: and setteth me upon my high places.
1 Nephi 3:26
26 And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands of Laban.
1 Nephi 11:1
1 FOR it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

Psalms 18:34
34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
2 Samuel 22:35
35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
1 Nephi 16:18
18 And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food.

Psalms 18:35
35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
2 Samuel 22:36
36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Psalms 18:36
36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
2 Samuel 22:37 37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.

Psalms 18:37
37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
2 Samuel 22:38
38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.

Psalms 18:38
38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
2 Samuel 22:39
39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
1 Nephi 4:7
7 Nevertheless I went forth, and as I came near unto the house of Laban I beheld a man, and he had fallen to the earth before me, for he was drunken with wine.

Psalms 18:39
39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
2 Samuel 22:40
40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
1 Nephi 4:21
21 And he supposed me to be his master, Laban, for he beheld the garments and also the sword girded about my loins.

Psalms 18:40
40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
2 Samuel 22:41
41 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
1 Nephi 4:17
17 And again, I knew that the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands for this cause--that I might obtain the records according to his commandments.
1 Nephi 4:18
18 Therefore I did obey the voice of the Spirit, and took Laban by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own sword.

Psalms 18:41
41 They cried, but [there was] none to save [them: even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
2 Samuel 22:42
42 They looked, but [there was] none to save; [even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
1 Nephi 15:8
8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?
1 Nephi 15:9
9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

Psalms 18:42
42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
2 Samuel 22:43
43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, [and] did spread them abroad.

Psalms 18:43
43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; [and] thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people [whom] I have not known shall serve me.
2 Samuel 22:44
44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me [to be] head of the heathen: a people [which] I knew not shall serve me.

Psalms 18:44
44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
2 Samuel 22:45
45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.

Psalms 18:45
45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
2 Samuel 22:46
46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.

Psalms 18:46
46 The LORD liveth; and blessed [be] my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
2 Samuel 22:47
47 The LORD liveth; and blessed [be] my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
2 Nephi 4:30
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Psalms 18:47
47 [It is] God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
2 Samuel 22:48
48 It [is] God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,

Psalms 18:48
48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
2 Samuel 22:49
49 And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
1 Nephi 3:27
27 And it came to pass that we fled into the wilderness, and the servants of Laban did not overtake us, and we hid ourselves in the cavity of a rock.

Psalms 18:49
49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
2 Samuel 22:50
50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

Psalms 18:50
50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
2 Samuel 22:51
51 [He is] the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.