David Sings a Song of Praise

Psalms 18:1–3
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This psalm may have been written toward the end of David’s life when there was peace. God is being praised for His wonderful works and blessings. It seems that David sang this Psalm of praise after “the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.” At last his outlaw years were ended, a united kingdom had crowned David as king and his enemies had bowed before him. He saved him, protected him and strengthened him when Saul and his men had been determined to kill him. Bible scholars tell us that the word used for “love” in the first verse is not the usual word for love (v. 1). It means “to yearn over” or “with a desire to hug.” Having told the Lord he wants to hug Him the Psalmist uses up his vocabulary in telling the Lord all that He was and has been to him. The content of this psalm is also found in II Sam. 22. The second verse of this psalm is quoted in the New Testament in Heb. 2:13.

God’s protection is limitless and can take many forms. David praised Him for His loving care with five military symbols. He said God is like (vv. 2-3):

1. A rock that can not be moved by any who would harm us.
2. A fortress where the enemy can not follow us.
3. A shield that comes between us and harm.
4. A horn of salvation that serves as a symbol of might and power.
5. A stronghold that is high above our enemies.

It is interesting to note that these words of praise start with the rock beneath our feet and end with the high tower above our heads.

Application

Have I ever told the Lord that I love Him so much that I would like to hug Him? There should never be a day that I do not tell my wife that I love her and the same should be true of my Lord.