April 25, 2023 -- Psalm 18:1-3 -- The Psalm Series: The LORD My Deliverer

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

18 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:1-3 ESV

This Psalm was first recorded in II Samuel 22. The Psalm before us is slightly modified from the original one in II Samuel. However, this song of David, recalling God's faithfulness before he became king of Israel, has been taken up by believers as a song of trust and deliverance. It is a psalm sung and memorized by generation after generation of believers.

David had experienced great hardships, betrayal by King Saul who had previously appointed him to his court. King Saul even had troops of soldiers hunting him down. Time after time the LORD rescued David. This Psalm of love and trust is a response to the goodness of the LORD in the life of His servant.

David’s declaration of love to the LORD echoes to the Living God His prior love to David. Consider all the imagery David uses to describe the LORD’s saving love. The LORD is “my rock”. When all the world around is sinking sand and unreliable, God is the sure foundation of one’s life. For the New Testament believer this is revealed as definitively true in Christ Jesus. The Devil would sink us in lies and defeat and self-condemnation, but Jesus disarmed the Devil at the cross (Colossians 2:15).

Dear family in Christ, think about the opening words of this Psalm. Reflect on the fact that the LORD our God is near. He is Your shield. Perhaps, unlike David, you have not escaped from the clutches of the enemy, be assured, as was David "In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From HIs temple He heard my voice" (verse 6). Give thanks to Him based on the ways you have seen His deliverance in your own life

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. With David, and the great company of believers of previous generations, we raise our voices in honour, love, and praise to You. Faithful Father thank You for Jesus, the Rock of our salvation. Thank You for the Spirit Who shields us from wiles of the Devil. Thank You for the protection You give to Your people so that we can face the challenges and trouble of this generation and through it all loudly declare Your love. Amen.

https://youtu.be/FfVyWMcVJaI
Psalm 18 Song -- Abe and Liz Philip 
 

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