Numbers of the Bible

Day 20 – Eight Reasons David Loved the Lord

Psalm 18 was a Psalm that David very likely wrote before he became king. This is the introduction to the Psalm:

Psalms 18:1 (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,) I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

This Psalm was written to proclaim the deliverances the Lord had given to him through the years. Because of all these deliverances and the Lord’s care of him through every trial and distress, David loved the Lord his God. It is interesting that verse two gives us David’s eightfold reason for loving the Lord.

Psalms 18:2 The 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.

1) The Lord is my Rock.

Jesus is the Rock. A life built upon faith in Him is a life built upon the Rock (rather than sand. He is the sure and stable foundation that will last through all the storms of life, regardless of how fierce and strong they may blow.

One nugget I gleaned this morning was looking up the Hebrew word behind the word rock. It is “cela or sela.” This word is the same as the name of an ancient city in the Bible: Sela, the rock-city of Idumaea, now called Petra. If you have ever seen pictures of this interesting city carved out of the rock walls and cliffs, you would be amazed at its wonder. Taking a look at this ancient city in Edom gives a possible inkling of what David had in mind when using this word in reference to the refuge and safety found in the Lord.

Psalms 18:31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

Psalms 18:46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

2) The LORD is my fortress.

A stronghold, a place of strength, a place where the enemy cannot enter. Like the previous term, this word also holds some wonder. This Hebrew word for fortress or stronghold is where we get the name Masada from. This was a city built on top of a mountain, that was inaccessible to the enemy. As far as the history of this particular city goes, it is quite sad – however, the picture presented to us in Scripture is a blessing to consider.

Psalms 91:1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

1 Samuel 23:25-29 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.

3) The LORD is my deliverer.

The one who rescues from all distress, from all enemies, the one who pulls me out of the muck and the mire that I’ve fallen into.

Psalms 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Psalms 18:48 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.

Psalms 18:19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

The Lord delivers us because He delights in us! That statement brings tremendous comfort and assurance to the soul!

4) The LORD is my God.

When pondering on this verse a while ago, I was thinking that David was here just naming his Deliverer, ie. He is God, then giving seven specifics about how personal God was to him. But upon further reflection, I think David was stating that God was his God. God was the one with David’s life in His hands, with David’s welfare on His mind, and with David’s care on His heart.

The Lord’s relationship to David (and to us) was an eightfold one, as expressed in this verse. Eight is the number of new beginnings – and if you are saved, all of these eight things are true of you as well – you had a new beginning with the Lord Jesus Christ the moment He became your God, the moment He became your Saviour. With the Lord as your God, with your Heavenly Father in control of all that goes on in your life, there is no need for fear. The word for God here means “the Strong One, the Almighty.”

5) The LORD is my strength, in whom I will trust.

The word for strength here is “properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge,” from a root meaning “to cramp, i.e. confine.” Seeing both this term and rock used in the same verse presents some contrasts:

Rock (sela) means “to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)”; and speaks of the inaccessability of those hidden in it. Whereas this term strength also refers to a rock, but focusses more on the strength of the rock – ie. consider the strength of a mountain. Your enemies cannot move it! If your strength comes from the Lord, and His strength is as the mountains, nothing will move you (or Him); you are secure in Him. The wind and the waves may come – but the Rock holds firm!

Psalms 18:32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Psalms 18:39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

David said it was in the Lord he would trust. Knowing that the Lord is watching out for David and working in his life, protecting him, sheltering him, delivering him, David placed his confidence and reliance on the Lord. We can learn from this great lesson and continue to place our day-to-day affairs into His capable hands. We can trust fully in the Lord!

6) The LORD is my buckler.

The Lord is our shield – He is the one that will protect us spiritually and physically in this life. Too many people try to make their own shields – whether a cushion of wealth or being surrounded by bodyguards or an army – but David said the Lord was to be our shield, our Protector. As long as He is watching out for His children, if we are walking closely to Him and striving to do His will, then we don’t have to fear men or anything else that comes our way.

Psalms 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Psalms 18:35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Like verse 19, this verse is excellent! Truly, it is God’s gentleness in reaching down to us that lifts us up and makes us great. His kindness and tenderness reaches out to His children and exalts them in His sight.

Psalms 18:16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

7) The LORD is the horn of my salvation.

Horns in the Bible represent power. Think of an animal fighting with another animal – the horn is what gives one an advantage and helps it to win. It can be used to defeat the enemy and protect itself. Well, it is God’s power that defeats our enemies and protects us, that keeps us safe until we are home in Heaven with Him.

1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Psalms 18:17-18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

8) The LORD is my high tower.

Here is another place of refuge and safety. The benefit of a high tower is that you are placed above the battle and can see the enemy coming before they can get to you. But you are also protected and sheltered within it. David knew the Lord was his high tower, his refuge and safety.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Psalms 61:3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

Psalms 144:1-2 (A Psalm of David.) Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

The Lord wasn’t just a fortress, wasn’t just any high tower or deliverer. He was David’s fortress, David’s high tower, David’s shield and deliverer. Is He yours?

Preached June 21st/07
Written June 22nd/07
Jerry Bouey (Note: linking to these websites on Petra and Masada does not indicate an endorsement of them. They are provided merely to show pictures and give general information about these two ancient cities. Please use your own discernment as to their content.)