Timeless Biblical Truth.
Believers praise the living God because He (i) intervenes supernaturally to destroy the forces of evil, (ii) gives His people victory and (iii) subjugates people to the dominion of His Anointed King all because He is faithful to His covenant with His people.
- Believers know that their devoted love is due to God because He protects and delivers His people whenever they call upon Him (18:1-3).
- Believers express their love to the LORD (18:1).
- Believers delight in praising the LORD for the various ways He is their defender (18:2).
- Believers are confident that the LORD delivers His people when they pray (18:3).
- The LORD often supernaturally delivers those who put their faith in Him (18:4-30).
- Believers love to recite how the LORD has supernaturally delivered them (18:4-19).
- The LORD delivers in desperate circumstances (18:4-5).
- The LORD’s supernatural deliverance may be quite astounding (18:6-19).
- Believers praise the LORD for His faithfulness to those who are faithful to Him (18:20-30).
- Believers affirm their faithfulness to the LORD (18:20-24).
- Believers acknowledge that the LORD gives them victory (30:27-30).
- Believers acknowledge that the LORD is worthy of all the praise and glory because of His perfect character and acts of salvation (18:31-50).
- Believers rejoice over God’s blessings to them (18:31-45).
- Believers acknowledge His perfections and provisions (18:31-36).
- Believers acknowledge that He has given them the victory (18:37-45).
- Believers proclaim to the world that the LORD lives and will extend the reign of His king over the nations (18:46-50).
- Believers praise the living LORD (18:46).
- Believers praise the LORD for His salvation from His enemies (18:47-48).
- Believers praise the LORD for His faithfulness to the King (18:49-50).
Questions for Second Milers
- What is David’s trial (cf. 18:1-6 with 2 Samuel 22:1-51)?
- David begins by expressing his love for the LORD (18:1-3). Is this a good way to begin a prayer? Is this how you begin your prayers?
- God was to him a rock, fortress, shield, and stronghold. What are the equivalent defenses and securities in which people trust today? To what extent have you found these descriptions of God true in your experience? Cf. Habakkuk 3:17-18; Hebrews 13:5-6.
- From David’s testimony concerning God’s answer to his prayer (18:3, 6, 20-28), what can we learn as to (a) God’s power to help (b) the sort of person God will help, and (c) the reasons why this help will be forthcoming.
- What chief characteristic of God is set forth in 18:7-15? Explain the imagery. How do you describe this characteristic? In your viewpoint, is it positive or negative? Why?
- In what ways has your experience paralleled the description of God in 18:16-19?
- How is the justness of God shown in 18:25-30? What is your part in the way God acts towards you?
- Make a list of all that God did for David as set forth in 18:31-50. What corresponding help may we expect from Him in spiritual service? Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 1:19.
- What does David emphasize in 18:46-50? How much of this are you prepared to claim as your experience today and in the days ahead?
- 18:49 is in Romans 15:9 and refers to Christ. Does this mean that the whole psalm can be taken as being in some way prophetic of Christ? If so, to what does it draw attention?
- Give your own short title to this psalm.
Lanny Tanton is the Pastor at The Bible Church of the Lakes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas – just outside of Marble Falls. Pastor Tanton welcomes you to our website and hopes that you’ll enjoy reading these insightful blog posts. Please contact us if you have further questions!!
