Explore the Bible: July 13

God’s Deliverance • Psalm 18:16-29

By Philip Price

During a mission trip to Uganda, I broke my ankle on an island in Lake Victoria. I was carried by locals to our boat and endured a painful two-hour trip to the mainland. Then, I passed through a human chain of Ugandans to a van. Though helpless, God rescued me. Profoundly, I experienced His peace and provision (John 14:27). 

Have you ever been rescued? On multiple occasions, God rescued David — the author of Psalm18 — and granted him an opportunity to learn the theme of this week’s lesson: God protects and defends those who belong to Him.

We are first introduced to David as a young shepherd boy whom Samuel anointed to replace King Saul (I Sam. 16). Due to his transgressions, the Lord rejected King Saul (I Sam. 15:10). Consequently, an evil spirit began to torment him (I Sam. 16:14). Saul sent for David and designated him as his armor- bearer. In addition to his Godliness, David was selected to serve Saul due to his skill in playing the lyre (harp), which he performed to soothe Saul’s tormented spirit (I Sam. 16:23). 

After David’s defeat of Goliath, Saul was unable to control his jealousy. On at least two occasions, while he played for the king, Saul became enraged and hurled a spear at David (I Sam. 18:11). He survived this and other close calls. Based on his experiences, he shared in Psalm 18 that God rescues, rewards, and revives His people.

The God Who Rescues: Protection Guaranteed (Psalm 18:16-19)

The words of Psalm 18 are also found — almost word for word — in II Samuel 22. David had survived the pursuit of Saul and won hard-fought battles. David declared that when he was on the brink of disaster, God took hold of me and pulled me out of deep water (v. 16). He credited God with delivering him from my powerful enemy and those who hated me (v. 17). He recognized that his enemies were too strong. The Lord was his support and God led him to a spacious place that allowed him to escape to safety (v. 19). Then, David beautifully declared, he rescued me because he delighted in me. 

Think about this: God delights in having a relationship with you. God is love and he desires to help us (I John 4:8). He delights in knowing you (Jer. 9:23-24). God’s first inclination is to love you and protect you. 

The God who Rewards: Blessings Granted (Psalm 18:20-24)

Next, David proclaimed that God had rewarded and repaid him according to the cleanness of his hands (v. 20). Of course, David was not without his sinful faults. His scandalous relationship with Bathsheba set in motion a series of painful consequences that ripped apart the nation and the King’s family. However, David eventually recognized his need to repent. He sought God and cried out, God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10, CSB). 

David never forgot that God blessed his faithfulness. David had kept the ways of the Lord (v. 21) and let God’s ordinances guide him (v. 22). He was blessed because he sought to be blameless and did not practice iniquity (v. 23). The Shepherd-King professed, So the Lord repaid me (v. 24), according to my righteousness. David sought God with integrity, and he was granted blessings.

The God who Revives: Hope Given (Psalm 18:25-29)

The LORD revives faithful Christians. Accordingly, David glorified God for being faithful to the faithful (v. 25). Other translations render the verse to the merciful…you show yourself merciful (ESV, NKJV). Furthermore, the blameless or upright (KJV) are treated justly. The pure are treated purely by the Heavenly Father, but, in response to the crooked (v. 26) he is shrewd or astute (NASB). God cannot be fooled. He will rescue oppressed people (v. 27) and humble those with haughty eyes (v. 27).

Then, when our hope is fading, he revives us. David recognized this and expressed, Lord, you light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness (v. 28). When our hope dims, we must remember God is Light (I Jn. 1:5). 

In the last verse of our lesson, we read that there are no obstacles that God cannot help us overcome. We do not have to fear attacking a barricade because with God we can leap over a wall (v.29). God will deliver.

Reflection: How have you seen God’s faithfulness expressed in your life recently?

What obstacle do you need to overcome today? 

Price is the Associational Missions Strategist for the Jackson County Baptist Association, Pascagoula. He is a member of Ridglea Heights Church, Moss Point.