2 Samuel 22 -23

Sunday

This hymn of thanksgiving is also a Psalm (with a few minor changes) do you know which Psalm it is?

Psalm 18 is almost a duplicate of the words of 2 Samuel 22. This Psalm was most likely used in the Temple or in worship as part of a liturgy. Probably used during national festivals or sung on holy days. This Psalm was written during the latter part of David’s reign, when there was peace in the land.  This Psalm celebrates how David went from humiliation, almost to the brink of death to triumph and victory with the mighty Hand of God. If one followed David’s life, we can witness the power of God working through him. David is not without flaws, but even in his sin, he never stops trusting in the Lord, he never stops serving Him. These are all things for which we can give thanks.

If you look at the opening lines of this Psalm, when it talks of God being David’s fortress and shield, his stronghold; it is not hard to picture the warrior David. Then he moves to the imagery of threatening waters as he retells of his close struggles with death. But David relies on God to deliver him as He has done before. What a powerful image of God as our Defender, our Warrior. God quickly responded to the cries of His faithful servant. Think of what this image can do to the enemies that surround us, that want to overwhelm us with fear and submission to evil ways. God will respond to our cries for help.

And then the gentle Hand of God reached out and rescued David from the deep waters. (Which in reality was to rescue David from his enemies.)

David’s story, his greatness, is not because of what David did, but because of what God did for him. David’s life is filled with humiliation and praise, of reward and punishment, of sin and forgiveness.

Through this song we learn about God’s deliverance of David. David’s cry for help is answered by God’s mercy and grace and love.  

We then can also expect the same love and mercy and grace to be ours. David’s song of thanksgiving can be our song as well.

Singing God’s praises,

Pastor Kathy


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