Psalm 18: A royal song

Biblical Reflections

Psalm 18 is a royal song. It celebrates the way God has shown love for his people by giving the Davidic monarchy and by preserving David through many dangers. The text of this Psalm is almost identical to 2 Samuel 22. 2 Samuel 22 is David’s personal expression of gratitude to the Lord. Psalm 18 is an adaptation of the song for the whole nation to sing because their wellbeing is now tied to the Davidic Kings. The nation is praying that the Davidic Kings would be great leaders, so that the nation may carry out their God given purpose of bringing light to the gentiles.

1-3 – The Lord is my strength. Here is the main theme of the Psalm. The LORD is my:

Strength, my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. The LORD is my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (v:18 – my support)

The Lord keeps David safe against his enemies.

4-6 – In my distress, I prayed to God for help. God heard my voice and rescued me.

7-19 – Here is an imaginative scene of a heavenly rescue.

20-30 – David claims his own righteousness, and God rewarded David in this deliverance.

- 30 – following the LORD’s perfect (blameless) way, enables a man to become blameless

31 – 45 – The LORD has given David mercy. God’s gift of mercy was military prowess over the enemy.

46 – 50 – The LORD is faithful to his anointed king. David’s prominence has come from the LORD and not David’s own power or greed or lust.

49 – Paul uses this verse in Romans 15:9 as part of his proof that it was always God’s plan that the gentiles receive the light and the knowledge of God through a Davidic King, in this case Jesus.