Introduction
Psalm 18:1–24: Today we begin reading the first half of Psalm 18. It is the third longest psalm (after 119 and 78) and uses the image of God as a warrior. The psalm is attributed to David, who sings this song to the LORD after God had rescued him from his enemies. This victory song also appears in 2 Samuel 22. For centuries, this psalm has been used to express the hope that God would rescue his people from their enemies.
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 18:1
How I love you, LORD! You are my defender.
Reading
18 How I love you, Lord!
You are my defender.
2 The Lord is my protector;
he is my strong fortress.
My God is my protection,
and with him I am safe.
He protects me like a shield;
he defends me and keeps me safe.
3 I call to the Lord,
and he saves me from my enemies.
Praise the Lord!
4 The danger of death was all around me;
the waves of destruction rolled over me.
5 The danger of death was around me,
and the grave set its trap for me.
6 In my trouble I called to the Lord;
I called to my God for help.
In his temple he heard my voice;
he listened to my cry for help.
7 Then the earth trembled and shook;
the foundations of the mountains rocked and quivered,
because God was angry.
8 Smoke poured out of his nostrils,
a consuming flame and burning coals from his mouth.
9 He tore the sky open and came down
with a dark cloud under his feet.
10 He flew swiftly on his winged creature;
he traveled on the wings of the wind.
11 He covered himself with darkness;
thick clouds, full of water, surrounded him.
12 Hailstones and flashes of fire
came from the lightning before him
and broke through the dark clouds.
13 Then the Lord thundered from the sky;
and the voice of the Most High was heard.
14 He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies;
with flashes of lightning he sent them running.
15 The floor of the ocean was laid bare,
and the foundations of the earth were uncovered,
when you rebuked your enemies, Lord,
and roared at them in anger.
16 The Lord reached down from above and took hold of me;
he pulled me out of the deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemies
and from all those who hate me—
they were too strong for me.
18 When I was in trouble, they attacked me,
but the Lord protected me.
19 He helped me out of danger;
he saved me because he was pleased with me.
20 The Lord rewards me because I do what is right;
he blesses me because I am innocent.
21 I have obeyed the law of the Lord;
I have not turned away from my God.
22 I have observed all his laws;
I have not disobeyed his commands.
23 He knows that I am faultless,
that I have kept myself from doing wrong.
24 And so he rewards me because I do what is right,
because he knows that I am innocent.
Reflect
How is God described in verses 1 and 2? How does David express his rescue by God (verses 7–19)? In these verses, what images are used to describe God’s power? Reread verses 20–24. In verses 20 and 24, David claims to be rewarded for doing what is right. What reasons does he give for saying this? Have you ever felt you were rewarded for doing what is right? If so, what was the circumstance?
Pray
How I love you, LORD! You are my strong fortress and place of safety. You hear my cries when I am troubled, and I know I can turn to you for help. In your care I feel safe and secure. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 18:25–50: The psalm concludes by celebrating God’s victory.
