Psalm 18 His way perfect, my way secure

"You probably think this psalm is about you." It is, if you're a Christian,.. but not so fast. The last verse (30) shows us that this psalm has everything to do with the king of God's people. God gives great victories in the first place to his anointed. To David, and his seed (Hebrew zara like English 'seed' can be singular or plural) for ever. So first of all read it as Jesus' love and praise to his Father for the greatest rescue act ever - the Resurrection. This rocked and shook the whole cosmos vv8-15 before God the Father reached down and raised His anointed, beloved, righteous Son to life.

Yet Jesus was anointed with the Spirit to pour Him out on all believers so this song is for us too a great way to express our love and praise to God for saving us.

v1 "I just called to say I love you". God is often the subject of the 'love' word in the opening sentence, but it is the only time in the Bible a human being says it to God. This love is raw emotion. "I love you, Lord. You churn me up Lord." Why? You're my Rock, the Bedrock under my feet; You're my knight in shining armour; my Champion; You're my castle, my security. I'm strong and safe with you."

In verses 1-19 David replays a video of his life; "I was being grabbed by the throat, saw the blade of the raised knife and cried to the Lord. God moved heaven and earth in response to my prayer. It was like The Red Sea all over again, only this time happening to me. And while He was moving heaven (vv7-15) things turned round for me on earth. (vv16-19)

It was God or die... and God came through for him. When we think where we were a few years back perhaps in a very dark place we too will cry out, I love you, Lord. The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted by God my Saviour!" (v46)

The next four stanzas alternate between 1/ "the Lord and me" (vv20-24, 30-34) and "you and me" (vv25-29, 35-45) and 2/ what the Lord does and what He helps David do. The Lord works for us but He also works in us and through us. He wins the battles but I do the fighting. So He keeps my lamp burning, trains me for battle and arms me with strength even as He repels my enemies. He enables me to climb the El Captians of life. (v33). His way is perfect (v30), even if it takes us through some very hairy places, and that means my way is secure.

Praise God for a deliverance in the past, and especially the sin that was all over you and dragging you down to Hell. Without Jesus that's where we would be ... for ever.