Psalm 18
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
The Lord is beautiful to look upon
I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
David is dwelling on the beauty and power of the Lord God. He begins this song by adoring God for his strength, his protection, his salvation, and his faithfulness to his people.
Whenever you hear words like this, it has to make you wonder what has happened to make someone gush with love like this.
There is a specific context to this Psalm. King David has been surrounded by enemies who have been trying to destroy him. King Saul is certainly one of those enemies, as it has become clear to Saul that David is going to replace him on the throne in Israel. But beyond King Saul, David seems to have many enemies, some of them physical people, and some of them spiritual forces seeking to destroy not only his body but his soul.
As David finds himself in that dark place, he beholds the beauty of the Lord his God and comes to see him as a fearsome foe for all his enemies, and a great deliverer for those who trust in him.
God is a fearsome foe
God is a fearsome foe
Oppression of God’s children provokes God’s anger
Oppression of God’s children provokes God’s anger
S: Psalm 18:7
Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry.
When God hears the cry of his people coming up to him, he does not sit idly by while they suffer. As God looked upon his servant David being oppressed and distressing for his life, He answered with thunderous anger. David describes it with poetic language; the earth itself reeled and rocked, the foundations of the mountains trembled and quaked, because God was angry. This of course doesn’t mean that the Earth itself was literally shaking physically, but David is describing the intensity with which God lashes out at the oppressors of his people.
This is a very important point for us to understand as God’s people. It can be easy to sometimes wonder if God understands our pain, hears our prayers, or has any intention of vindicating us when we are being oppressed. In fact, the Psalms themselves sometimes express this concern as well, as we have already seen in our series on Psalms. We can’t always see how or when God is working in the world, and at times we are completely blind to his plans. But this Psalm helps us to see and understand that our God is not apathetic towards his children, and he responds with ferocity when they are under attack.
I: It is helpful to think of God as our Father when we consider this point. I don’t think there is any father in this room right now who, if he saw his children being attacked mercilessly by evil people, wouldn’t drop everything and turn his full wrath on his child’s attackers. When a father hears his child cry out for help, nothing else matters to him at that moment. No matter who the person is attacking your child, you will run to their defense.
This is how God is seen in this Psalm. When his son David cries out to him for help in the midst of his oppression, God turns his attention to David and responds with appropriate force.
A: And you can have confidence that if you are God’s child, he will respond in kind when you cry out to him as well. Do you find yourself oppressed? Perhaps you find yourself under the wicked treatment of a physical person, or maybe you simply find yourself struggling under the spiritual oppression of our enemy the devil. Whether you find yourself at the mercy of a wicked person, or whether you feel that you are withering away under spiritual attack, call out to the Lord your God and Father; and know this: that your heavenly Father will not ignore your cries for help. Just as certainly as he came to the aid of David, so too will he come to your aid as his child.
And let’s consider what our enemies will be facing when they come to realize that the Lord has become their enemy.
God’s wrath is a terrifying force
God’s wrath is a terrifying force
S: Psalm 18:8-12
Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.
We also learn from this Psalm that God’s wrath is a terrifying force. When God’s anger is turned upon someone, it isn’t that God will begin to meddle with them in small ways. God is no pacifist who is content to let evil go unchecked. Rather, we see that his anger burns hotly against his enemies. Anyone who finds themselves opposing God finds themselves opposing a terrible force that is synonomous with destruction and ruin.
I: There is truly no force on this Earth that can compare with the wrath of God, but in my thinking on this passage, I found myself thinking about Pearl Harbor and its affect on World War 2. I am sure that many of you are very familiar with the event, and how leading up to that attack, America was only indirectly involved in the war. Our nation was aiding the allies, but trying to avoid direct involvement in the conflict. But when Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that claimed 2,400 American lives, things changed. A Japanese admiral reportedly wrote in his journal that day, “I fear that all we have done is awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve.” Whether or not those words were actually written by the Japanese admiral, it is the truth about what happened. America would enter the war with a terrible resolve, helping the allies to turn the tides of war. In an utterly brutal final strike, the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan would decimate critical parts of their nation and effectively bring an end to the war.
The ferocity with which America responded to evil was intense, and yet it is still nothing compared to the terror of God’s wrath on evil and injustice.
A: So once again I ask you, are you facing oppression in this life? Do you find yourself being overwhelmed and at the brink of giving up? Do you long to see justice done and evil destroyed? Call out to God, for his wrath on evil is as swift and fierce as they come.
And as we will see in the next few verses, there is no evil in this Earth that will be able to survive the wrath of God.
God utterly destroys the enemies of his people
God utterly destroys the enemies of his people
S: Psalm 18:13-15
The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
Those who find themselves on the receiving end of God’s wrath will have no hope of overcoming. Those who have turned against David, God’s son, have experienced the fulness of his wrath and could not withstand it. David considers how God has scattered them and routed them. Even if it meant ripping the world apart to its foundations, God has pursued David’s enemies until they were completely and utterly defeated.
I: This reminds me of the scene in Revelation 19:11
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
You see the day is coming when our King and Lord Jesus Christ will finally return in glory. When he does, it will not be like when he first came in physical form to the world. It will not be humble and mounted on a donkey, but in glory and mounted on a white horse. It will be with fire and swords, and in that day he will finally wipe away all evil and all his enemies.
A: Do you know that this day is coming? And for those who love him, this will be a truly wonderful day. Just as David saw God destroy those who brought him so much pain and misery, we will finally see our oppressors given true justice. Our foremost and spiritual enemy Satan, along with all his minions, will finally receive full payment for the misery they have wrought amongst God’s people. And when Our King and Lord Jesus comes back again, our enemies will stand no chance against his fury. They will finally, fully, and forever be utterly destroyed and we will be freed from their destructive oppression.
Which brings me to my next point, and the other reason why David is pouring out his love for God in this Psalm. Not only is God a fearsome foe to all his enemies, but he is a great deliverer to all his people.
While God’s enemies see him as an inesacapable destructive force, his children see him as an unshakable fortress that will see them through every difficulty. His preserving protection is as inevitable to his children as his wrathful anger is to his enemies.
God is a great deliverer
God is a great deliverer
God answers the call of his people no matter how bleak the situation
God answers the call of his people no matter how bleak the situation
S: Psalm 18:16-17
He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
Part of the reason it seems so sweet to think of our enemies being defeated is because they are, quite honestly, too powerful for us to deal with. This was the case with David as he struggled not only against Saul and his followers but against spiritual forces that sought to undo him.
When David found himself surrounded by his enemies and overwhelmed by their power, it was God who came are rescued him. When it seemed that David was drowning, it was God who drew him out of the waters.
This is what God does for his children. For as fearsome as his enemies find him, his children find him to be gentle and loving. No matter how overwhleming the situation they might find themselves in, God comes to them and rescues them.
I:
A: This is true for all of God’s children, every single person who belongs to him. Though his children will often find themselves surrounded by powerful enemies and ovwerhelmed by their circumstances, we can always call to him no matter the bleakness of the situation. There is no amount of loneliness, no depth of addiction, no feeling of shame or dread that removes us from the range of our God’s salvation. When his own call out to him he saves them; no matter how deep the pit they are calling from.
But maybe you’ve begun to ask yourself the question, how do I know which side I’m on here? He answered David, but how do I know he will answer me?
Well, let’s look to see why God answered David, and this is important for us to see.
God’s protection is tied to the righteousness of his people
God’s protection is tied to the righteousness of his people
S: Ps 18:20
The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.
It is because of righteousness that God has rescued David from wicked enemies. We see here that whether you are God’s friend or God’s enemy depends on this question: are you righteous or are you wicked?
If we aren’t careful, this can take the wind right out of your sails. Before we go thinking that only whose who have earned God’s love can have any hope in his deliverance, let’s get some context to understand what David means here. Where does David understand his righteousness to come from?
For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
David understood that his righteousness was a gift from God, and his cleanness was because of God’s forgiveness. David didn’t view himself as someone who never sinned, but as someone who’s sins had been covered by the grace of God. What he had in view of course was the Old Testament sacrificial system that allowed for the cleansing of sinners, but what we have in view right now is the fulfillment of that system; what we have in view is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
I think of what we read in Romans when it says
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
You see it has always been the case that the righteous live by faith in God.
I:
A: So when we begin to wonder whether we will be on the receiving end of God’s wrath or God’s deliverance, the question quite simply becomes this: Are you trusting in your own righteousness, or in the righteousness of Christ? Are you trying to earn God’s love, or have you received it through faith in Jesus?
To put it back in the words of David, listen to Psalm 18:30
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
My friend, if you are trusting in Jesus Christ for your righteousness, if you are looking for refuge in him, I want to give you every reason in the world to be confident that God will deliver you from every single one of your enemies. Your deliverance is inevitable, it is only a matter of time. Just as surely as God delivered David from the cords of death, so also he will move heaven and hell to bring you through your trials. Only, make sure you aren’t looking for refuge in other things. When difficulties arise, when enemies surround you, when you look for a way of escaping from the pains of life, don’t look to the things of this world. Don’t look to alcohol, or relationships, or entertainment, or even your own self. You must only continue to look on him in faith and trust that he will finish what he started.
And not only do you look for future deliverance from your enemies, but you can also be sure that God will strengthen you for the battle today as you fight.
God strengthens the ones he protects
God strengthens the ones he protects
S: Psalm 18:32-35
For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?— the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.
God did not merely pull David out of the deep waters and remove him from the battle. While David finds his deliverance in God, he also finds strength for today. He is not merely plucked from the battle, but he actually gets something better; he is given strength to fight.
I love the words of David here: he is equipped with strength and made blameless. What once was weak and susceptible has become strong and blameless. His hands have been trained for war.
And listen to this: your gentleness has made me great. How beautiful is that? God tenderly cares for his own people. When David found himself burdened and overwhelmed, God held him. When he felt like despairing, God carried him through. As he deals gently with David, that same grace makes him great and a mighty soldier for God’s cause.
I:
A: The same is true for us as well. As we look upon the gospel of Jesus Christ, the grace of God put on display for all to see, we come face to face with the gentleness of God. We see his steadfastness towards us. We see his patience towards sinners, his steady hand that calms us. As he deals gently with us, as he saves us by grace, and we encounter and experience that gentle love, we are made great by grace. God causes us to go forth no longer in weakness, but in strength. No longer are we helpless, but as we go forth in the grace of God, we go forth in strength. Though we were once overwhelmed by our enemies, we now go forth as conquerors against him.
What wonderful news is this, what a magnificent God we have come to behold. A truly fearsome foe for all his enemies, and a great deliverer for all who take refuge in him. What shall we say to these things? I say that we borrow the words from David as he wrote them to end Psalm 18, saying, Psalm 18:46-50
The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation— the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence. For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.
God is The Mighty Warrior
God is a fearsome foe
God is a fearsome foe for any who oppose him or his people
God is a great deliverer
God is a refuge and deliverer for the righteous and humble
Isn’t God lovely?!
God alone can offer this protection and deliverance
Where are you going for escape from the problems of this world? Turn rather to God.
God causes his people to be great
The great deliverer causes us to be warriors in his army
God is a fearsome foe and a great deliverer (fierce warrior?)
Find a way to capture the human heart’s cry for deliverance from the bondage of sin