1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.The Psalmist is teaching that this God who controls the earth has put Himself on display from the heavens by giving His people the creative words in law, covenants, curses, statutes, promises and decrees. We speak the dark sayings of God who is surrounded by this darkness and mystery. The LORD is in heaven but His words of judgement are given to man. We see that not only do the nations outside of Israel rejoice over the big events of God but they know that God is working on behalf of His covenant people.
2Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Ps 18 I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.11  He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him- the dark rain clouds of the sky.The Psalmist is describing the parting of  the Red Sea in delivering Israel from Egypt .God answer his cry of the axioms and brought great judgements upon the armies of Egypt.14  He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
great bolts of lightning and routed them.The Psalmist describes how God responded to the cries of the law, covenants etc empowering him and causing him to destroy his enemies. 4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.18 12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. God responds to the axioms in the parting of the Red Sea. In Ps 18 the Psalmist is describing the personal effects on him in fighting against the nations by using the intervention of God as He parted the red sea. God controls the creation as well as giving the Psalmist power and wisdom to fight.32 It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
 33  He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
34  He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.
  You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD ,
before the Lord of all the earth. 6
The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.18 7The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.The Psalmist is describing the parting of the Red Sea and comparing to the super-naturalism of fighting in wars by the axioms. 18 22  All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees.