Psalm 18
Pt. 6
David’s Hymn in Retrospect of a Life Crowned with Many Mercies
How God rose to save him when he cried to Him
This section of the Psalm has David and Jesus in parallel consideration. What is true only partially of David is true absolutely in Jesus.
Ps 18:43-50
43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
Here David reflected on the tumultuous time between his anointing to be King and that day when he had finally sat down as ruler over the united and unified Kingdom of Israel. Many had sought to undo him, to slay him, to make him their servant. Saul had sought him diligently with the intent of ending forever this competition for his throne and, as many Psalms reflect, David had fought with himself, his own fears, discouragements and even failures. But the Lord had preserved him. Ultimately, his kingdom included
many peoples that had never before been linked with Israel other than they occupied land which had been promised to Abraham.
And, His Great Son, the Lord Jesus Christ had, in a similar though not totally parallel way, suffered and endured much pain. There were no failures to record to His account, His suffering far outweighed that of David. But ultimately Resurrection and Ascension came and the Kingdom given to Him was infinitely greater than David’s. God the Father made Him Lord, head of the nations. How many times have people with no connection to ancient Israel heard the gospel and yielded to serve the King of Kings?
44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
David’s reputation ultimately preceded him and undoubtedly there were many surrenders negotiated without so much as a drawn sword.
But in the comparison with the Lord Jesus we see that some believe as soon as they hear, demonstrating God’s power to save to the uttermost part of the earth.
Ps 18:44-45 44 As soon as they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cringe before me. 45 They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds. (NIV)
Smitten with the power of the gospel message, those who once were far off, come near by the blood of Christ. But notice how they come, in brokeness and repentance.
46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
The LORD (YHVH) demonstrated through David that He was indeed the One Who had promised to the father of Israel so many years ago this marvel that Israel became under David.
But in and through Jesus Christ, we fully see that All of the glory is due to the Lord of heaven and none to man. He is to be exalted for the salvation of sinners, not the vessel by which the message is delivered.
47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
As we saw at the beginning of this Psalm, God often moved through miracles to establish David and give him victory over his enemies.
But far more than the story of David is the Work of God for the Ultimate Victory of Jesus. It is God Who makes Him Lord. The subjugation of the hearts of men is all His Work.
48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
David’s enemies were numerous, from those minor (and some not so minor) kings who occupied land belonging by Promise to Israel, to those within Israel, even within his own court, who labored to undue and unseat
him. God delivered him from them all, even from Absalom who for a short time did successfully replace his father.
In a much more glorious way, those who oppose the gospel shall not succeed because Infinite Power elevates the Lord Jesus to His throne. When violent men took Him, the Lord frustrated their purpose and raised Him from the dead.
49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
And our Psalms are replete with the thanksgiving of David who full well knew, maybe more than anyone but Jesus, that when God moves to deliver, He is worthy of Praise.
It is for this cause that we sing to the LORD (YHVH), that He has exalted our Savior and has given Him dominion over all peoples and nations. This is a constant theme of worship and should be ours.
50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. (KJV)
Not only that but the purpose of God is an eternal purpose, determining to ‘save to the uttermost’ those who come to Him by Jesus Christ.
To be the seed of David (as we are in Christ) is to be eternally saved
from every danger and from eternal punishment.