Psalm 18:1-19 – God’s deliverance is just one prayer away

Psalm 18 written by David is a revision of 2 Samuel 22. He wrote this Psalm to the chief musicians. The occasion for this deliverance song was when God delivered him from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul. Second Samuel chapter 8 detailed David’s victories over so many enemies. It provides for us the background of this song. Now in this Psalm, David had only one intention. It was a song written to praise God who had blessed him so bountifully in so many ways.

As one who had experienced God’s bountiful deliverance, praise would be the obvious response. So David began his praise of God by ascribing to Him different terms to emphasize His reliability. He was David’s strength, Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Buckler, Horn and High Tower. Like David, we know how reliable God is. We can trust Him to shield us in times of trouble. He is the Rock, the foundation of our life. Our life will be solidly indestructible when we allow Him to be our defender. David and the Lord had a very personal relationship. How do we know? Just count the number of times the word ‘my’ had been used. The nine times became his emphasis to describe how dear God was to David. So with such a wonderful relationship, it was no wonder that he would love and trust Him. He found it natural to rely on Him, and call spontaneously on Him for deliverance and help. Without a doubt God deserves to be praised!   

In verses 4-5 David described the extent of his trouble. He was surrounded by the ungodly, and was face to face with death. The grave seemed imminent. Emotionally he was at his lowest ebb. He felt drained and was filled with sorrow and fear. Many of us probably had all been to that place before. Some of us may be at this place now. Here we can learn from David what to do. In his distress, he lifted his prayer to God and was heard by the Almighty. So we too can lift our cry to the Almighty and know that He will come to our rescue.   

So verses 7-19, in a highly dramatic language, David narrates how God had delivered him. God’s fierce anger was seen in the earthquake and the storm. And in a very graphic way, David used the forces of nature to describe the wrath of God shown against his enemies. In narrating how God came to his rescue, David had become God’s instrument to tell us that God will also move heaven and earth to answer the cry of help we will make to Him. Like David, we must love God, and totally trust and rely on Him, then we can expect His deliverance. Like David, God must be our constant stay. So what is the current trial we are battling? Remember God is just one prayer away!