18 February 2016

Psalm 18

This first song is awesome! This one is nice too.  Here is another, it's more or less the whole psalm although I am not sure what version is used.  You might like it; it is different :) Another one I found; Another song; This one is titled overcome; Now this one has no lyrics but I found it interesting because they say it's Psalm 18 played on the organ that both Handel & Mozart played.  You might like it!
Song; Here is an acoustic version; This one might be easier in using to memorizing some of the Psalm;  This one is from the Psalms Project whose goal is to put all 150 Psalms to music.

This Psalm is considered a royal Psalm and used to celebrate victories.  It was written by David after God delivered him from his enemies & Saul.  David rejoiced in God's mercy toward him.  This psalm is recorded in II Samuel 22 [with some slight variations] and Ps. 116 alludes to this psalm.  David begins this psalm [v1-3] and closes [46-50] it with praises to God.
Deliverer [meaning drawing out of danger, snatching, taking away, allowing to escape] is the key word found in verses 2, 17, 19, 43, & 48 - For at least 10 years before David became king, he was pursued by Saul and his army and Saul tried to kill him five times  After becoming King, he had to wage war against the Philistines, Ammonites, Syrians, Moabites and Edomites.
It also describes the stages of his life [v 4-45]:
>In the pit of peril [v4-19]
>>>his desperation
>>>his defender
>>>his deliverance

>On a course of ethical integrity [v20-28]
>>>principles of the Lord's direction [v20-26]
>>>privileges of the Lord's direction [v 27-28]

>In the turbulent atmosphere of leadership[29-45]
>>>military leadership [v 29-42]
>>>theocratic leadership [v 23-45]

There are metaphors used throughout this psalm:
Lord = Rock [v 2, 31, 46] stability and security provided to David and used about 20 times in the Psalms.
Lord = Fortress [31:3, 71:3, 91:2, 144:2]  (strongs #4686 = castle, defense, fort) Both rock and fortress are pictures of high places of refuge and defense that a person would flee to for protection; far better taking refuge in the Lord than i a man made fortress or hiding behind a rock!
Lord = Shield [v 30] Lord = Stronghold Military terms suggesting protection and deliverance from enemies.
Lord = Horn of Salvation God gave him strength.  Animal horns symbolized strength and power.  Horns also symbolized rulers.  See Daniel 7:8,11,20,21,24; 8:21-22; Rev. 17:12

In these verses 1, 25-29,35-36, 39-40,43 & 48, David addresses the Lord - Praise.  The rest of the verses he told the people what God had done for him.  So the psalm blends worship and witness [testimony].

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