Psalm 18
This is one of my favorite psalms, for it reveals the rich and deep relationship David had with his Lord in the midst of the problems. pressures and dangers of real life. David is a good example to us of taking everything to God and living in the Lord’s strength, power and protection, not trying to make it on his own.
For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:
Psalm 18:1 “I love you, O LORD, my strength.”
[You, Lord, are the intimate and ultimate God, whose deep love for us calls forth an echo of response from our hearts. To love you is a great privilege, a wonderful freedom, a deep grace, bringing us forth from our natural negative notions into the light of your marvelous presence, power and wisdom. There your love overflows us, washes through us, brings us cleansing and renewing and joy.
You, Jesus, declared, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love…. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:9,11).
You are not only the One who loves us but the one who shares your power with us. You are my strength–I have very little–in fact, practically speaking, none of my own, especially in comparison to that of our enemies. Satan is much stronger than me.
As it says in Revelation 12:17, “Then [Satan] the dragon was enraged…and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring–those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” The accuser gives no quarter, and I cannot possibly defend myself against him—but you, O Lord God, are my defender, my salvation and protector.
Later in this psalm David declares that the LORD “reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support” (Psa. 18:16-18).
Praise be to you, Lord God, that you give strength for each day, that your power is made perfect in the poverty of our personal weakness. Our lack of strength is your opportunity to bring salvation to us, to display your great power in your love by providing, protecting and prolonging our lives in the midst of attacks by the enemy who is too powerful for us. Glory be to your name!
May I live in your love and under your strength today by keeping on your armor and offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving for whatever comes, trusting you, honoring you and seeing the salvation of the Lord.
