David wrote Psalm 18 toward the end of his life as a song of praise to the Lord for delivering, rescuing, saving him from King Saul & others who wanted to kill him 2 Sam. 22. It is included in Psalms for all God’s people to sing. David begins with seven metaphors to reveal truths about the Lord that he personally experienced, and that we can experience by knowing Jesus as Lord Ps. 18:1-3.
30% of God’s word is poetry. Biblical poetry is not based on repeating meter and sound. It’s based on repeating ideas. Ps. 18:4-6. David could have written, “I was scared to death. I cried out to the Lord and He delivered me.”
But do you see how much more expressive it is as poetry?
Biblical poetry can inspire our imagination and emotions.
This psalm of David is a picture of how the Lord delivers us so that we love him and praise him too 18:7-19.
The Lord delivers us from:
I. Wrath to come 1 Thess. 1:9, 10
Jesus suffered and died on the cross because he took God’s judgment & wrath against our sin for us. The Lord delivers us when we turn from our way of unbelief & sin to God’s way of faith in Jesus. Those who reject God’s mercy and grace through Jesus, will experience his wrath.
II. Authority of darkness Col. 1:13, 14
This word for power means authority or the right to govern. Jesus broke Satan’s authority over us by his blood & the cross. We don’t belong to the devil or the darkness. We belong to Jesus. We’re under his authority. Jesus res-cues us and transfers us into his kingdom of light & love.
III. Dominion of sin Rom. 7:22-8:2, 5
Every believer struggles with sin. It’s the battle between our natural tendency to sin and God’s Spirit in us. Paul described the frustration of wanting to do right but not having the power to do it. But thank God, as the Lord delivered his people from slavery in Egypt by his power, he delivers us from the dominion of sin with resurrection power by his Spirit.
The difference between the failure and frustration of Romans Chapter 7 and the freedom and victory of Romans chapter 8, is living in close fellowship with God’s Spirit. He is our strength in victory and our strength to get up when we fall.
IV. Every evil work 2 Tim. 4:16-18
David and Paul both said the Lord delivers believers from the many afflictions and troubles we experience in this life so we can do his will. And ultimately, he delivers us from every evil work and saves us in his kingdom forever.
How do you need the Lord as your deliverer today?
Let’s believe his word and cry out to him. The Lord delivers us for his purpose and glory because he delights in us.