PSALM 18 - Anchored in the Rock
"One with God is a majority." William Carey
Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey. Hymn by John Sammis
David had trusted in God.
This is repeated in 2 Samuel, but this is when he penned it, when it was happening in his life.
Solomon says at the end of Ecclesiastes 12:13, "Fear God, and obey his commandments, for this is the duty of every person."
Where am I in this psalm? Look back in my life and look at why I love Him so much.
1 John 4:19 We love each other because He loved us first.
David now enters a time of worship --
The object of his worship is God.
David isn't just saying, "I love you." He is saying, "I am so determined to show you how much I love you."
Verse 1
He says, "I love you, Lord."
He is speaking to God, not at Him.
He is determined to choose God and God alone.
my
What is God that I can't put my in front of? Why can't I? God/Jesus is Savior but many can't say, "He is my Savior."
Who is God to me? What about Him have I not experienced?
This psalm is a summary of David's whole character and attitude through life.
Does our praise to God summarize our lives? Do we rely on the words of others?
Knowing who God is gives strength to faith.
David talks of his experiences with who God is. He lines up that walk of experience with who God is. His testimony is then- “He is the God I can trust.”
God delivered David from
-- very personal We don't have to share Him with anyone else. He is so personal and intimate.·
the lion and bear as he tended the sheep·
being overlooked, when God was choosing the king (not who he knew but who he was!)·
fear·
peer pressure·
insecurity due to circumstances·
the giants in his life, ie. Goliath, Kings·
Saul - throne seekers - Absalom·
the wisdom of men (advisors)·
backsliding - thoughts - false pride·
enemies of the Most High God and His chosen people·
sin, the power of sin, the bondage of sin·
physical need·
death·
David says, "I love You, Lord."
1 John 4:19 ..."because You loved me first."
Knowledge of God, combined with our experience with God, forms our praise for Him.
Verse 2
You are and have been
hopelessness·
my strength (Rock) - my sure foundation·
my fortress, Savior, deliverer·
my Rock (different word), my strong defense (I find protection in)·
my shield·
the horn of my salvation (power in battles)·
God won't allow anyone or anything to keep David from his mission in life.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He will do it.
Verse 3
Reflecting on who God is leads you/David to call on His name and praise Him for who He is.
Job says, "I heard but now I have seen." Job 42:5
Women at the well -- We must see Him for ourselves.
David - taste and see for yourself.
Saves
God will do it. God Himself will be, is my Savior.
Verses 3-6 David's Prayer
I am on the brink of ruin - physically, emotionally, socially.
In my distress, I cried out.
Verses 7-18 Action By God
V6 Heard the cry
V7-8 God acted in power
V10 in haste
V13 in majesty.
V16 He reached down and rescued me.
V17 He delivered me.
V18 He was my support; upheld me.
V19 He led me to a place of safety.
Verses 19-24 Reasons God Took The Actions
- continuous action my stronghold (presence of your protection)·
He delights in me. Zephaniah 3:17·
He rewarded me for my obedience. Blessings follow obedience every single time.·
In verse 24, innocence means righteousness, not that David has never sinned.
Christ's Righteousness
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. 1 Corinthians 1:30
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21
That which you are to God -- He is to you. Matthew 7:2
V25 to the faithful He is faithful
V25 to those with integrity He shows integrity
V26 to those who are pure He shows Himself pure
V26 but to the wicked He shows Himself hostile
In verses 25-27, this is like the reciprocity in the Sermon on the Mount.
Nothing puts us beyond the need for mercy.
Verses 28-29 God brings to David:
1. Light Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light
for my path. Psalm 119:105
2. Strength Ephesians 6:10 Be strong in His mighty power.
3. Confidence Phil. 4:13 I can do everything in Christ who gives me strength.
Verses 31-46 David knows the Source of his deliverance. As for God:
He rewarded me for doing what was right.·
His way is perfect.·
His Word is proven.·
He is a shield -- if you trust Him.·
He is the Lord.·
He is a Rock.·
He is my strength and power.·
He makes my way perfect.·
He makes my feet like the feet of deer - sure and secure.·
He sets me on high places.·
He teaches my hands (for David to make war).·
He provides, enables me for the task (arms bent and a bow of bronze).·
He has given me the shield of salvation.·
He has made me gentle by His gentleness (relationship).·
He has enlarged my path.·
God, You did it all. Blessed be my Rock. May the Lord of my salvation be exalted!
God is my Rock, so what do I have to fear? My God:
He has secured my feet.·
avenges me·
subdues the people under me·
Therefore, I will:
delivers me·
give thanks to You·
sing praises to Your name·
"He is the ground of our hope. Let Him be the subject of our praise. Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon also says, "To be saved singing is to be saved indeed!"
God, I will sing of Your mercy! You are worthy of my praise.
tell the world of Your unfailing love He didn't lean on his own understanding. He didn't go after Saul to kill him; David waited on God's timing.
top