Sundays in the Psalms 18-2

Part 2

IV. A Declaration of Victory

Text: Psalm 18:29–45

our victories are not born out of our own strength, but out of the faithfulness, power, and mercy of our God.

The psalmist David reflects here on a life of battle, hardship, and deliverance—and through it all, he lifts his eyes not to himself, but to his God.

This passage is a testimony of triumph, a song of victory, and a proclamation of the power of God in the life of a believer.

As we move through these verses, listen for the prophetic tone:

a. God Empowers (vv. 29–34)

"For by Thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall." (v.29)

David doesn't boast in his military prowess.

He says, "By Thee... by my God..."

Church, there is no wall too high, no army too large, no battle too fierce when God is with us.

When He strengthens us, we do what was once impossible.

"As for God, His way is perfect..." (v.30)

We can trust God even when the path seems crooked.

His way is perfect.

His word has been tested and proven in fire.

And when we trust in Him, He becomes our buckler, our shield in every fight.

"Who is God, save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God?" (v.31)

Can you feel David’s heart bursting in praise?

He’s saying, “There’s no one like our God!”

He alone is our Rock—firm, unshakable, dependable.

"It is God that girdeth me with strength..." (v.32)

Do you feel weak today?

Then you’re in the perfect place to be made strong by God.

He doesn’t just give strength—He girds you with it.

He wraps you in power, and makes your way sure.

"He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet..." (v.33)

He gives you the speed, the precision, the stability to stand on high and dangerous places.

Even when life is steep and treacherous, He plants your feet firm.

"He teacheth my hands to war..." (v.34)

The Holy Spirit is our divine instructor.

He trains our spiritual hands to war against temptation, against fear, against the enemy.

And with Him, we break bows of steel.

a. God Empowers (vv. 29–34)

b. God Equips (vv. 35–36)

"Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation..." (v.35)

Salvation isn’t something we earn; it’s a shield we are given.

It covers us in battle, protecting us from every fiery dart of the enemy.

"Thy right hand hath holden me up..."

Some of us know what it is to be held up when we could not stand.

In sorrow, in sickness, in sin—God’s hand has upheld us.

"Thy gentleness hath made me great."

What a beautiful truth.

Not His wrath.

Not His thunder.

But His gentleness.

His kindness.

His compassion.

That's what lifted David, and that’s what lifts us too.

"Thou hast enlarged my steps under me..." (v.36)

God doesn’t just give us victory; He gives us room to walk in it.

He takes us out of tight corners and opens wide the path.

And even there, He keeps our feet from slipping.

a. God Empowers (vv. 29–34)

b. God Equips (vv. 35–36)

c. God Employs (vv. 37–42)

David recounts a divine momentum—he pursued, he overtook, he conquered.

But over and over again, he acknowledges: “Thou hast...”

"I have pursued mine enemies..." (v.37) "They are fallen under my feet." (v.38)

Yes, we fight.

But God gives the victory.

Every stronghold of sin, every attack of the enemy, every enemy of your soul—God says, “You will not be overtaken. You will overcome.”

"They cried, but there was none to save..." (v.41)

Those who war against God’s children will find no refuge.

Even their cries go unanswered, because God does not war against His own.

He defends His beloved.

a. God Empowers (vv. 29–34)

b. God Equips (vv. 35–36)

c. God Employs (vv. 37–42)

d. God Exalts (vv. 43–45)

"Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people..." (v.43)

It’s one thing to fight enemies, It’s another to endure conflict from within.

Internal strife is the hardest—but God delivers even from that.

"Thou hast made me the head of the heathen..."

This is prophetic.

David’s victories prefigured Christ’s triumph.

And in Christ, we too become more than conquerors.

Nations will serve Him.

Strangers will submit.

The gospel will win hearts across the world.

The strangers shall fade away..." (v.45)

Everything that resists the reign of Christ will one day fade.

Every sin, every idol, every enemy will wither and fall away.

And Christ shall reign forever.

V. A Declaration of Praise

Text: Psalm 18:46–50

There’s a joy that rises in the heart of every believer when they look back and see how far God has brought them.

David, at the close of this psalm, lifts a shout of praise—not because everything was easy, but because God proved faithful through it all.

These last five verses are a crescendo of gratitude, a triumphant declaration that the Lord lives and that His mercy never fails.

a. He Deserves Praise (v. 49)

“Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.”

Because of all God has done, David says, “I will not keep quiet.”

He won’t just praise God in private or in the temple—he’ll sing among the nations.

Paul quotes this in Romans 15:9 as a prophecy of the Gentiles coming to Christ.

This is missionary praise.

It’s worship with witness.

We don’t just praise God for ourselves—we praise Him so others can hear.

Brothers and sisters, the world may not understand our joy, but they need to see it.

Don’t be silent when God has been good.

Let your thankfulness be louder than your trouble.

because…

a. He Deserves Praise

1. He Lives Forever (v.46)

“The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.”

David doesn’t begin with a complaint or a request—he begins with a proclamation: “The LORD lives!”

This isn’t just poetic—it’s foundational theology.

God is not an idol made by hands.

He is not a memory or a relic.

He is the ever-living, ever-active, ever-reigning King.

We worship a living God—One who hears, sees, speaks, saves, and sustains.

He is our Rock—steady and unmoved in a shaking world.

And He is the God of our salvation, worthy of all exaltation.

Let this be the cry of the church today: “Long live the King of kings!” Because He lives, we can live—boldly, securely, and joyfully.

a. He Deserves Praise

1. He Lives Forever (v.46)

2. He Avenges and Subdues (v. 47)

“It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.”

Here David acknowledges God’s justice.

He’s not celebrating personal revenge—he’s rejoicing that God rules righteously and defends His people.

We must remember: vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19).

He knows when to judge and how to judge.

When God defends His children and humbles the proud, it’s not cruelty—it’s justice seasoned with wisdom and mercy.

Are you facing opposition?

Leave it in God’s hands.

He defends better than we do, and He always gets it right.

a. He Deserves Praise

1. He Lives Forever (v.46)

2. He Avenges and Subdues (v. 47)

3. He Lifts and Delivers (v. 48)

“He delivereth me from mine enemies… thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me…”

David had enemies.

You will too.

But here’s the good news: the Lord delivers.

Not only does He shield you from the blow, but He lifts you above the attack.

He takes you higher than your fear, your pain, and your persecutors.

Whether it’s Saul, sin, Satan, or your own shame—God is a lifter.

He raises up those who humble themselves before Him, and He gives them honor in the end.

a. He Deserves Praise

b. He Keeps His Promises Forever (v. 50)

“Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.”

This final verse lifts our eyes from David to Jesus, the greater Son of David.

God gave great deliverance to David, yes—but through Christ, He has given eternal salvation to us all.

The word "deliverance" here is plural—it’s a reminder that God's salvation is not a one-time rescue.

It's an ongoing mercy, a stream that never runs dry.

“...and sheweth mercy to his anointed...”

That’s us now too.

In Christ, we are the anointed, the beloved, the seed of the promise.

And the mercy that was given to David will never be withdrawn from us.

It’s a covenant sealed in blood.

Conclusion:

As we come to the close of Psalm 18, we see more than just the story of David—we see the story of every believer who has ever been surrounded, yet not forsaken… wounded, yet not destroyed… cast down, yet lifted up.

This psalm begins with David recounting his time in the valley—with David crying out in desperation—and ends on the mountaintop, with David singing in triumph.

And what we see in between it all is, God.

God heard. God moved. God delivered. God restored.

Psalm 18 is a powerful testimony that our God is a deliverer.

He is a rock when everything else is sinking sand.

He is a fortress when the arrows fly.

He is a shield when our strength fails.

And when we fall, He does not forsake us—He lifts us up.

But this psalm is not just about David—it’s also about Jesus, the greater David.

He too was surrounded by enemies.

He too was betrayed, bruised, and bloodied.

And yet, He rose victorious.

And because He lives, we shall live also.

“The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.” (Psalm 18:46)

So, child of God, take heart.

If you are in the valley, He is your rock.

If you are in the fire, He is your shield.

If you are surrounded, He is your deliverer.

And when He brings you through—and He will—don’t forget to do what David did:

Sing. Give thanks. Testify. And exalt the name of the Lord.

Let us, like David, say with boldness:

“The LORD lives!” “Blessed be my Rock!” “Let the God of my salvation be exalted!”

Let your life be a living hallelujah to the One who saves, delivers, lifts, and never breaks His promise.