Psalms

Psalms 18: The LORD delivers His king

Begin in prayer

Before we hear David's song after deliverance from Saul and his other enemies, let us remember who gives saving strength. Ask God to turn our boasting into thanks and show us His victorious Son.

Therefore you are great, Yahweh God. For there is no one like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

2 Samuel 7:22

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the living LORD gives His king victory and keeps His loving kindness forever. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David sings to the LORD after deliverance from all his enemies and from Saul, calling God his strength, rock and fortress. His cry in mortal danger reaches heaven, and God answers with power pictured in shaking earth, thunder and lightning. The LORD draws him out of deep waters and rewards the integrity with which he has kept God's ways. God humbles the proud, lights David's darkness and gives him strength and footing for battle. Enemies are defeated, their cries unanswered, and foreign peoples submit to the king God has delivered. David ends by praising the living LORD among the nations for loving kindness to him and his offspring forever.

As you read Psalms 18, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The living LORD gives His king deliverance and shows loving kindness to David and his offspring forever.

The title names David as the LORD's servant and makes his victories occasions for gratitude to God. Rock, fortress and shield give different pictures of the same saving strength on which he depends. The storm describes the majesty of God's intervention, with creation trembling as the Deliverer comes to His servant's help. David's clean hands concern his integrity under attack, rather than a claim to be a sinless man. God's perfect way explains His mercy to the merciful and His opposition to the crooked and proud. Even David's skill and courage in battle are gifts from the Lord who trains and sustains him. The victory includes enemies destroyed and cries to the LORD unanswered. Paul cites David's praise among the nations in Romans 15 verse 9 to show Gentiles glorifying God for mercy. The final promise reaches David's offspring forever and finds its lasting fulfilment in Jesus, the Son of David (Luke 1 verses 32 and 33).

How does Psalm 18 show us that the living LORD gives His king deliverance and shows loving kindness to David and his offspring forever?

The LORD hears and rescues His servant.

Death surrounds David, and his cry reaches God's ears. The terrifying storm pictures the Lord's power at work for the man who cannot save himself. God draws him out and brings him into a large place.

The LORD deals justly and gives strength.

David has kept God's ways amid the conflict, and the LORD rewards that integrity. The same God brings proud eyes down and saves the afflicted. He arms David for battle and gives him feet that do not slip.

The living LORD gives victory and lasting loving kindness.

David's enemies are destroyed, and even their cries to the LORD receive no answer. Foreign peoples submit, while David gives the glory to the God who executes vengeance for him. The song ends with loving kindness to God's anointed king and his offspring forever.

Memorise

As for God, his way is perfect. Yahweh’s word is tried. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 18:30

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what strength am I claiming as my own instead of thanking Jesus?

David says, “He delivered me from my strong enemy,” and admits that his foes were too mighty for him. The living LORD gave the rescue, the strength for battle and the king's victory. Loving kindness to David's offspring carries the song's hope beyond David's lifetime.

Jesus, the Son of David, won His saving victory through the cross. He bore the punishment of His people's sins and defeated death when He rose. His rescue is accomplished, with everything needed for the forgiveness of sinners who come to their living King.

Turn from sin and trust this victorious King. Everyone who rests in Him receives forgiveness through His finished work. Bring Him the sins and fears too strong for you to master. Give Him the thanks your strength cannot claim, and follow the living Lord whose kingdom will endure forever.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God gave David victory, and explain the battle judgment in verses 37 to 42 without graphic detail. A Christian home cannot save them. Call each child to repent and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the deliverance and loving kindness He gives through His King. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”

John 1:49

Living Lord, thank You for delivering David and keeping Your promise through Jesus. Please forgive our proud boasting and bring us to trust the King who died and rose. Help us remember that our strength is Your gift. Teach us to give You thanks and to use that strength faithfully this week. Amen.