Day 36

Psalm 18: Read here – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2018&version=NASB

Psalm 18; Recorded twice (See 2Sam 22.) Notice the introduction. 

Since he was taken from the sheepfold and anointed the future king of Israel, David had lived about 20 years as a courtier then fugitive, and as a man who had lost everything. He lost his safety, youth, family, career, rights, his connection with the covenant people of God, he lost his comforts, and at times he even lost his close relationship with God. Despite all, he remained steadfast to the Lord.  God – in His timing – delivered David and fulfilled the long-ago promise of his anointing. 

Notice the 8 claims in v1&2 of what God is to David. What He was to David He is to you. Every Christian should be both fugitive and fighter (see 1Tim 6:11-12) God is our shield for defence and our horn for offence. Vs1-3 is the introduction. Vs7-15 is a description of a storm. Notice how David sees God in the storm. Vs 16 – 19 are one of David’s He/me reflections. From Vs18 to 45 we are given the connection between God’s action on behalf of men and man’s attitude to God. 

Vain were the idols of the ancient world, Baal and Jupiter; as vain are those of modern times – pleasure, honour, and profit. They cannot bestow content, or make their followers happy below; much less can they deliver from death or open the everlasting doors above. 

V4-19 is described in devout imagination. In 32 – 35 is the language of grateful experience. Vs46 -50 is the conclusion. 

When reading the last verse consider the great deliverance that has been given to you in Christ and notice also the lovingkindness – God’s faithful covenant of love – that is equally yours in Christ. 

The chiastic structure: 

1a) Ps 18:1-3, God is my deliverer;
   1b) Ps 18:4-6, I cried out to God and He heard me;
      1c) Ps 18:7-19, God’s might in warfare;
         1d) Ps 18:20-24, My righteousness;
             central axis) Ps 18:25-27, 
         2d) Ps 18:28-30, God’s grace;
      2c) Ps 18:31-40, God’s empowerment of my might for warfare;
   2b) Ps 18:41-42, My enemies cried out to God, and He did not hear them;
2a) Ps 18:43-50, God is my deliverer.