In this chapter David sang a Psalm of praise to The LORD when The LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and the hand of Saul (v1). The words recorded here are virtually identical to Psalm 18. It may well have been written earlier and spoken/sung at this point, but the date of composing is somewhat irrelevant. What is clear is that David recites it at this very day, and it was meaningful to him as he looked back over his life. One commentator suggests that “The psalm appears almost as David’s final words. Hence, it is a summary thanksgiving for God’s many deliverances of him through his long life of service.”
In v 2-4 David refers to God in many ways – My rock, fortress, deliverer, stronghold, refuge, shield, Saviour and gives the reason for these in that God had rescued him from all his enemies. This was his experience of Almighty
God. There is no reason why we should not trust God when He is all these things to us, and he says that God is worthy of praise (v4). These are not just words, but expressions of deep, lasting experience.
Verses 5-16 Indicate that his deliverance comes from God, whether it is physical or otherwise. The waves of death, the torrents of destruction, the cords of the grave, the snares of death. He had reached rock bottom, and he cried out to God. (v7). God in His grace and mercy heard him when he cried out to Him. Consider how God answered him! Here we have graphic descriptions of God in His amazing creation – earthquake, wind, rain, thunder and lightning. David records that in his distress he called to the LORD; He called out to God. From His temple He heard, and his cry came to God’s ears. (v7)
Our God is Almighty and supremely holy, yet He stoops to hear our cry and answers in amazing ways. In David ‘s case He appears to shake the earth and answer in a powerful storm. Many are afraid of thunder and lightning. It is indeed powerful, and David likens the thunder to God’s powerful voice.
David goes on to state (from v17-21) that The LORD actually reached down from heaven to take hold of him, drawing him out of deep waters. He sent down from above, possibly angels to deliver him. He acknowledged that his enemies were too strong for him, but The LORD supported him and brought him into a place of safety.
He stresses that righteousness before God is essential. Not perfectness because David was certainly not perfect but seeking to do right having come before God in repentance and humility and received the forgiveness which only God can give. He believed God and his righteousness was by faith. David states that God delivered him because He
delighted in him (v20). What a position to be in when God delights in us. How can He when we are sinful creatures? Only by seeing us in His Son, Jesus Christ. We can be confident of the love of God. David refers to having clean hands (v21-25). He had shed innocent blood, but he had experienced the cleansing of Almighty God. We must come before God with clean hands and a pure heart.
David makes some astounding statements (v22-24) – ‘Kept the ways of the LORD; not guilty of turning from God; not turned away from God’s laws; been blameless before God and kept himself from sin.’
Knowing what we do, David had not always done right, but what is he referring to? It seems to me that he is referring to his behaviour in respect of his commitment to king Saul. He had always been respectful of the LORD’s anointed and never sought to exalt himself until God’s time. On the whole he was, nevertheless, a man after God’s own heart and was greatly blessed by God. When he had sinned, he repented and was totally forgiven by God, which goes to show that we are cleansed by the blood of Christ. God chooses to remember our sins no more so by grace we can say we are blameless in His sight. David not only repented in word, but he showed it in his actions. Repentance must be evident in our lives in that we change direction.
I often say to people that it is not enough just say sorry for the wrongs we do; it must make a difference in our future behaviour – that’s true repentance. For 43 years I worked in Magistrates Courts the last 38 years as Senior Legal Adviser in a court and asked offenders if they wished to say anything before being sentenced. They invariably said they were sorry. (If I had a £1 for each one, I would be a rich man) However, many if not most would commit further offences. Sorry can mean being sorry they got caught. Their saying ‘sorry’ did not mean much. Repentance includes saying sorry, but it must go far deeper as David exhibited in his life.
It is suggested by some commentators that this psalm was written before his sin with Bathsheba, but the context of this chapter seems to say otherwise.
We can only come to God claiming Christ’s righteousness. “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30,31. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Verses 26-28 could cause a problem, particularly the word “shrewd” in v28 “With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.”
There is little problem with God being faithful, pure, blameless. We would readily accept these virtues of our God. One commentator suggests ‘To crooked, dishonest, devious people, God makes simple truths confusing and impossible to understand.’ Some translations seem to indicate God can be wicked towards the wicked, but God doesn’t ‘do wicked’. “The idea seems to be that if a person insists on going devious ways in his dealings with God, God will outwit him, as that man deserves.” (Boice)
David states his confidence in God in that He opposes the proud but to the humble He gives grace. The principle is repeated in Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6, and 1 Peter 5:5. He stresses in v31 that God’s way is perfect.
David showed great mercy to others, such as Saul (many times including 1 Samuel 24:10-13), Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9) and Shimei (2 Samuel 16:7-12).
David praised God for lighting up his darkness (v26). We need His light in the difficulties of life. God’s word is a light to our path and a lamp for our feet (Psalm 119:105). He also praised him for being his strength and shield (v31-46) (see also Psalm 28:7,8).
David knew the principle of Ephesians 6:10 long before Paul wrote that we should be strong In The LORD, His power and His might. God makes his power and his might available to us by faith. We don’t have to be strong in our might, in fact we are usually powerless even when we are strong, but we can be strong in His might.
He acknowledges in summary the attributes of God (v29-49) –
- A lamp to turn our darkness into light.
- Power to help me take on my enemies and obstructions.
- God’s way is perfect, His word flawless, He is our shield and refuge.
- There’s no other God, no other Rock.
- God arms us with strength and keeps our way secure.
- Makes our feet like the feet of a deer which can stand in precarious places and don’t seem to lose their footing.
- My trainer – any strength I have is because of Him.
- Provides the pathway and helps me walk in it.
- Strengthens us for battle, to persevere and win.
- As I trust You, my enemies flee as there was no-one to save them, even if they cried to The LORD He didn’t answer because they didn’t belong to Him.
- God delivers us and preserves us.
- You have given me a name which they respect. David was God’s anointed; He had made him king.
- God is a living God.
- The rock of salvation.
- Our deliverer.
David ends this ‘psalm’ with a wonderful conclusion, benediction or doxology giving praise to Almighty God. (v50-51)
“Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name. He is the tower of salvation to His king, And shows mercy to His anointed, To David and his descendants forevermore.”
He exalts the Name of The LORD as he worships Him. He makes it clear that it is The LORD who gains him the victory and all the glory is due to Him. He recognizes that it is all of God’s mercy. He is The Rock our firm foundation. In Romans 15:9 Paul quotes verse 50 which is also contained in Psalm 18:49 “Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name”.
