When’s the last time you had an amazing day where something big happened? Celebration from everyone around. Your heart feels so full it could burst and you’re thankful for the obvious blessings of God surrounding you.
Context
This is where David is when singing Psalm 18 to God. So far in his story, he’s been anointed king by God’s prophet, developed into a famous soldier, and then been the target of a tormented, delusional King Saul. He’s been running for his life, hiding in caves, completely desperate for the provision of God to keep him alive.
And God did just that. No, He did more! He saved David from Saul and fulfilled His promise to make David Israelite’s next king. Psalm 18 is a song of David lifting praises to God and giving all credit where credit is due.
In Part One, we looked at David recounting the near death trials of running from Saul. We learned that God is always our stronghold.
In Part Two, we listened to David speak of the Lord rewarding him for continually following Him. We also dealt with his imperfections and sins that pop up later in life; this man after God’s own heart.
And here in Part Three, we find David continuing to point his finger upward to the heavens, like a football player in the end zone
A Psalm of David
31For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?- 32the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. 33He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. 34He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. 36You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. 37I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. 38I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet.
39For you equipped me with the strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. 40You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed. 41They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them. 42I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets.
43You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. 44As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. 45Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses. 46The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation- 47the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, 48who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence.
49For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name. 50Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.
HIGHLIGHTING
Ok! Before diving in further check out my post on studying the Bible on your own for what colors mean what and where I get that info. Verses can almost always fit into multiple categories. Good Morning Girls has the free printable for the color categories that I use, so print a few out and keep them in your Bible, your journal, and your highlighters case.
- Verse 31= God
- Verse 32= God; blessings
- Verse 33= power of God
- Verse 34= power of God
- Verse 35= salvation; compassion
- Verse 36= God; power of God
- Verse 37= people/history
- Verse 38= people/history
- Verse 39= power of God
- Verse 40= miracles; people
- Verse 41= people/history; God
- Verse 42= history
- Verse 43= miracles
- Verse 44= miracles
- Verse 45= miracles
- Verse 46= God
- Verse 47= God
- Verse 48= blessings
- Verse 49= praise
- Verse 50= salvation; love; people
MY NOTES
I can’t help but sing “My God is Mighty to Save” when I read Psalm 18. God is mighty!
What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Stronger
I love how David talks about God equipping him with strength. All that time living in the wilderness was really, really hard. But it was in the middle of those hard times that God used the trials to grow David. Let’s remember the saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. Now we’re singing Kelly Clarkson lol!
My personal example is when my husband decided to go back to school. We had three babies and I was a stay-at-home mom. We used our savings to restore (I use that word very lightly!) an old family farmhouse in the country with the agreement that we could live in it rent free while he went to school.
It was a family of five living off one part time income. Note – daycare cost more money than I would’ve made going to work. Just feel like I needed to clarify that. 😉 We had no heat or air conditioning. The water pipes were constantly freezing and spiders, snakes, and rats were plentiful.
It was in that hard, hard season that we learned to budget, shop second hand, garden, cook, enjoy free entertainment, and appreciate things more. As hard as it was and as many tears as I cried, I look back on that season of life with appreciation and affection for what God did. Credit for survival of a marriage, health among obstacles, a new career, and the lessons learned goes to Him.
If you’re in a hard season, hang in there friend. He is working. If you have to, simply tell yourself over and over and over again that “this too shall pass”. Imagine the lessons that God is teaching you. The strength He is building in you. Dream of what He’s going to do in the future. Look at David’s reign as an example!
Miracles
Have you ever done something and then looked back and wonder how on Earth you actually did it?! I feel like that’s how David is feeling here. “My feet didn’t slip?! I made it?! But how?!” God. That’s how. And I know this. I just have to remind myself to mentally recognize it.
The power of God is still mighty. He is as mighty today as He was when He gave Sarah a baby at 99, split the Red Sea, threw manna from the sky, and all the other miracles you read about in the Old Testament. The barren couple who decides to adopt miraculously gets pregnant. Weather stations report bizarre out of this world winds, floods, fires. A news story of a little boy who filtered sea water through his shirt and survived a time lost in the ocean.
David is recounting all the amazing things that have been happening and he’s pointing to God. God did that. That time he conquered his enemies? God did that. When people gave up before the battle even started?! A miracle of God.
I also think it’s worth noting that David recognized that these miracles of God would have multigenerational effects. That’s a really cool point.
Takeaway
After all the running and hiding, the fighting and the crying, Psalm 18 is the victory dance, confetti covered field, gatorade drenched coach, last second game winning point with God as the MVP. And I want to sing a song like David, giving all the credit to where credit is due. All my successes are because of this crazy amazing grace of God!
Every victory is His.
To get to know me better, read about me & my saved love.
Want some scripture to go with you wherever you are? Download these bible verse cards and post them wherever you need them the most…like the car dashboard!
Read Next:
- Psalm 18; Part 2 – No One Is Perfect
- Psalm 18 Bible Study; Part 1. A Powerful God is Always Our Stronghold. Believing That He’s Got This.
- Are You a Hot Mess?! Why That’s Ok…and Can Even Be a Good Thing
- A Perspective Overwhelmed: Overwhelming an Overwhelmed Perspective…in a Good Way
- David’s Psalm 5 – Lead Me in Your Righteousness