I will love Thee, O LORD, my strength.
PSALM 18:1
Hey Friend,
How are you on this gloriously sunny day? Did you manage to get a glimpse of the partial eclipse yesterday? My son and I used a colander and a piece of paper to view it, which he said was ‘awesome’. 😊
I forgot about the meteor shower though but we have another chance to view them tonight – providing everyone can get up at 2am…
There are so many wonders of the universe that are happening around us whether we’re privy to them or not, whether we see them or not.
This is much the same in the spiritual world – regardless of whether we can or cannot see it, there is a war going on for our souls.
I was having a conversation with my mum recently about a video she’d watched by an ex-satanist. She mentioned that Psalm 18 is a powerful one to pray and is known as the ‘earthquake psalm’.
I’ve read Psalm 18 many times, but after she said that I wanted to dig deeper into it. So I thought I’d share a bit of what I’ve got out of it here.
The psalm inscription says:
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,
So, this is a psalm of praise and a psalm of deliverance. The Study Bible says:
‘This psalm is a royal song of thanksgiving that rehearses God’s deliverance of David from all his enemies… The psalm includes a declaration of David’s love and trust in the LORD (v1-3).’
Let’s start there then.
1I will love Thee, O LORD, my strength.
2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
The word for ‘love’ here is rāham which means to love deeply. Isn’t that something? We often hear about God’s deep love for us but here, David is offering that kind of love back to God. It moves me to question if I love God deeply enough? Not in a self-condemnation kind of way, but in a way that pushes me to do more.
For example, if I love someone, I want to spend time with them and I make that time happen. But there are times I’ve chosen the T.V over time with God, or reading a novel, or scrolling on my phone. Anyone else feel the same?
And the reason why David said he loves God so deeply? Because He is his strength. This kind of strength refers to help. Which reminds me of Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
It’s difficult when you’re in the midst of trouble to say God is a very present help when you can’t see what He’s doing. I understand that feeling well.
But that’s why it’s called faith, isn’t it?
It’s not blindly believing. It’s trusting that God’s Word is true and He will do what He said.
Psalm 18:2 lists some of the things God is:
Rock Sela’ Stronghold of security
Fortress Māsûd A fastness – castle, defence, stronghold
Deliverer Pālat To escape, save, deliver, slip away, bring into security, carry away safe
Strength Sûr Rock, refuge, strength
Trust Hāsâ To seek refuge, confide or hope in God
Buckler Māgēn Shield, defence
Horn Qeren Strength, power
Salvation Yēša’ Deliverance, rescue, safety, welfare, victory, prosperity
High tower Miśgāb High place, secure height, retreat, refuge
I’m getting an overall image of a fierce protector, One who not only holds strength and power, but gives us access to it as His children.
Verse 3 then says:
I will call upon the LORD, Who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
We cry out not to an object, but to the Almighty God Who is worthy of all our praise! David is assured that in calling out to God, he will be saved (liberated, rescued, victorious) from his enemies.
It is the same for us. Praise is a weapon. It is one we are to use when the enemy is warring against us. Our praise gets God’s attention and He will move on our behalf.
There’s so much in this psalm! But I will add more in further posts.
In the meantime, let me know your thoughts: How do you love God deeply? How have you experienced change when using praise as a weapon?
I pray that you will know God to be your rock and your strength, that He will be your deliverer, rescuing you from every plan of the enemy and allowing you to walk in victory.
Love and blessings xx
[For info: I use the Blue Letter Bible App and my study bible is published by Nelson]
Steadfast Love 