Psalm 18 has long been one of my favorite psalms, rich with imagery describing the Lord and the deliverance he provides his people. This psalm describes the Lord as our strength (v.1), our rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, stronghold (v.2), and much more. As you read the psalm yourself, meditate on who God is and the salvation he provides you.
God, you are our rock, our firm foundation, our formidable fortress. We are utterly secure in you. Our enemies have no hope of overtaking us while we take refuge in you. Even death will be disappointed as it pursues us, because we are in league with the Lord of life, who resurrects the dead and grants everlasting life. “The last enemy to be defeated is death,” but even now, we know that victory already belongs to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We will have life in him which will never end and which will abound in love and joy forever.
Even more than being our stronghold and shield, you, O Lord, are our avenger. When David is confronted by death (v.4-5), he pictures you coming to his rescue as a fire-breathing, wind-riding dragon (v.6-12). The sound of your voice is like thunder (v.13), and the power of your voice is like the power of lightning, hail, and coals of fire (v.13-14). When you speak, all of creation does your biding. Even the Red Sea once split in two at your command. David now imagines your salvation as a sea drying up at the heat of your breath, so that you could save him from drowning in it (v.15-16).
Even more than the most watchful lifeguard, your eye is on us, Lord, always ready to come to our aid. When death confronts us, your anger and wrath toward death mean our salvation. You deliver us, and set our feet on solid ground once more. We praise you, now and forever, amen.
