Thanksgiving For Deliverance. Psalm 18:1-50

Transcription

1 1 Thanksgiving For Deliverance Psalm 18:1-50 Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 1

2 2 Text: Psalm 18:1-50, Thanksgiving For Deliverance 1. I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 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. 3. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 4. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. 7. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 10. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. 13. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. 14.Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 2

3 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 16. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 19. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 20. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. 21. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22. For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. 23. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24. Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. 25. With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. 27. For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. 28. For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 29. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 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. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 3

4 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? 32. It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 33. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. 34. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 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. 36. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. 37. I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. 38. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. 39. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. 40. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. 41. They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. 42. Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets. 43. Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. 44. As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. 45. The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. 46. The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 4

5 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. 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. 49. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. 50. Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. Introduction: I. The superscription to Psalm 18 specifies: A. For the director of music. 1. This psalm was intended to be used in public worship. B. Of David the servant of the Lord. 1. Servant of the Lord is a truly honorable title largely reserved for Moses, Joshua, Job, and the Messiah. which may indicate this psalm has Messianic implications. ( M Caw via Coffman) 2. David, Smith wrote, spoke as the servant of God. C. Superscription: He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. (NIV) 1. Smith was of the opinion that Psalm 18 dates to the middle of David s reign when he had established his dominance over his enemies. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 5

6 6 a. For this deliverance from his enemies David thanked God. b. 2 Samuel 7:1, And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; 2. 2 Samuel 10:1-19, And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return. And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men. And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. And the children of Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 6

7 7 Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field. When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon. And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good. And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them. And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there. And when all the kings that Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 7

8 8 were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more. II. The NIV paragraph arrangement of Psalm 18 is as follows: A. Verse 1 B. Verses 2,3 C. Verses 4-6 D. Verses 7-15 E. Verses F. Verses G. Verses H. Verses I. Verses J. Verses III. Smith arranged/outlined Psalm 18 as follows: A. Praise to the Deliverer. (Verses 1-3) B. Divine Power. (Verses 4-19) Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 8

9 9 C. Divine Procedure. (Verses 20-24) D. Divine Principles. (Verses 25,26) E. Divine Procedure. (Verses 27-31) F. Divine Power. (Verses 32-48) G. Praise to the Deliverance (Verses 49-50) IV. Tesh and Zorn outlined Psalm 18 as follows: A. God worthy of praise. (verses 1-3) B. The testimony of the psalmist. (verses 4-6) C. The Lord response. (verses 7-19) D. The reward of the righteous. (verses 20-30) E. God, the source of strength. (verses 31-45) F. A concluding doxology. (verses 46-50) V. Psalm 18 with only minor variation in format is found in 2 Samuel 22:1-50, And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; The sorrows of hell Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 9

10 10 compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled. The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.the LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight. With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 10

11 11 haughty, that thou mayest bring them down. For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip. I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad. Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me. Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me. Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places. The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation. It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me. And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 11

12 12 A. Smith suggested the differences are due to revisions made later by David as the psalm was specifically designed for public worship. Commentary: Psalm 18:1, I will love thee, O LORD,... Note: Heading based on NIV text. I. I love you, O Lord, A. The original word used here for love expresses the very tenderest affection, and is elsewhere never used to denote the love of man towards God, but only that of God towards men. (Pulpit Communicating) B. This love is present and continuing, (Tesh and Zorn) C. This verse, Teah and Zorn wrote, is absent from 2 Samuel 22 where this psalm with few differences is also found. D. Psalm 30: 1, I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. II. my strength. A. That is, God is the source of David s strength, David s enables. Psalm 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. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 12

13 13 I. The Lord is: A. my rock, 1. Rock speaks to God s strength, faithfulness and unchangeableness. (Smith) B. my fortress and 1. Such a fortress would be inaccessible to David s enemies. C. my deliverer;... a living Protector, not a mere inanimate defense, (Pulpit Commentary) II. my God is my: III. He is my: A. rock (strength), in whom I take refuge; will trust. 1. Isaiah 26:4, Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: 2. 2 Samuel 23:3, 4, The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God Samuel 2:2, There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 13

14 14 A. shield (buckler) and 1. Genesis 15:1, After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 2. Deuteronomy 33:29, Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. 3. Psalm 144:1, 2, 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. B. the horn of my salvation, This ancient expression connotes strength, power, and ability. (Coffman) 2. Luke 1:69, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; C. my stronghold, my high tower. 1. Psalm 9:9, The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. IV. These eight metaphors, Coffman noted, are all suggestive of impregnability. The Pulpit Commentary places the count at seven, Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 14

15 15 the symbol of perfection, in view of the fact that rock appears twice. Psalm 18:3, I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. I. I call to the Lord, A. Only to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob did David pray. B. This calling was David s continuing, on-going, life-long protection. II. Who is worthy of praise, III. and I am (shall be) saved from my enemies. A. Much is said in David s psalms regarding his enemies. B. Scriptures: 1. Psalm 6:8-10, Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly. 2. Psalm 5: 9-12, For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 15

16 16 counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee. But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalm 18:4, The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. I. The (waves) cords (sorrows) of death entangled (compassed) me; A. David cried to the Lord in prayer in his time of extreme danger. 1. We do this as well. 2. Jonah 2:2, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. B. In verses 4-6 David described the grave dangers and impending calamities facing him when he pled with God for deliverance, waves of trouble being ready to sweep him to his death. C. Death is represented as a hunter, who goes, out with nets and cords, to ensnare its victims. (Pulpit Commentary) D. This verse may have reference to Saul is hunting David to kill him Samuel 26:20, Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 16

17 17 king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains Samuel 19:1, And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David Samuel 23:15, And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood Samuel 27:1, And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand. I. The torrents (floods) of (Belial) destruction (ungodly men) overwhelmed me ( made me afraid); Psalm 18:5, The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. I. The cords (sorrows) of the grave (hell) coiled around me; A. Literally grave is translated Sheol or hades. II. The snares of death confronted me, (took me by surprise). Note: David pled with God to deliver him from a strong enemy (verse 17), a flood of ungodly men (verses 4), the near approach of death (verses 4,5) and from a host of foreign enemies (verses 29-43). (Pulpit Commentary) Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 17

18 18 Psalm 18:6, In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. I. In my distress I called to the Lord; A. Was David courageous and fearless in face of his enemies who sought to kill him? II. I cried to my God for help. III. From his temple he heard my voice; A. Temple is best understood hear as meaning heaven or, perhaps, the tabernacle. 1. Psalm 11:4, The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men Samuel 1:9, So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD Samuel 3: 3, And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4. Solomon s temple was not built until after the death of David, the author of Psalm 18. B. The Old Testament word house is the same as the word temple and can also be translated as tabernacle Samuel 1:9, So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 18

19 19 the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD Samuel 3:3, And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 3. Genesis 28:17, And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. C. Tesh and Zorn wrote that heard, in the Hebrew idiom, means to respond. IV. My cry came before him, into his ears. A. Exodus 2:23, And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. Psalm 18:7. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. Note: Coffman regarded verses 7-14 as descriptive of the final judgment and only secondarily applicable to David s deliverance from his enemies A. Revelation 6:12-15, And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 19

20 20 of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; B. Revelation 16:21, And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. C. Revelation 6:12, And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; I. The earth trembled and quaked, A. These descriptions in regard to David s life were probably figurative although God certainly had manifested his power physically as in the crossing of the Red Sea and the fall of the walls of Jericho. B. The discomfiture of David s enemies are here described by a series of highly poetical images under the figure of earthquake, storm and thunder. (Pulpit Commentary) C. The response of the Lord was mighty in its execution because he was angry. The wrath of God against injustice and all wickedness is a solemn reality with which evil men must ultimately reckon. (Tesh and Zorn) II. and the foundations of the mountains shook; III. they trembled because he was angry. A. God s wrath against the wicked is shown by these figures to be extremely great. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 20

21 21 Psalm 18:8, There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. I. Smoke rises from his nostrils;.. A. Volcanic eruptions as if smoke from God s nostril again illustrate the feirceness of God s anger. II. consuming fire came from his mouth; III. burning coals blazed out of it. Psalm 18:9, He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. I. He parted the heavens and came down; A. Psalm 144: 5-6, Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. B. 2 Samuel 22:10, He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. C. Isaiah 64: 1-3, Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. II. Dark clouds were under his feet. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 21

22 22 A. Exodus 19:16, And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. B. Deuteronomy 5:22, These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me. Psalm 18:10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. I. He mounted the cherubim and flew; A. Cherubim (plural) [cherub (singular)] were divine attendants of God or guardians of sacred places. The cherubim depicted in the tabernacle and temple seem to have been winged human figures, representing the angelic attendants who minister in God s presence. (Smith) B. God is here pictured as flying through the heavens on the backs of angelic beings borne on the winds of the sky to execute justice. 1. Deuteronomy 28:49, The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; 2. Jeremiah 48:40, For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 22

23 Jeremiah 49:22, Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. II. he soared on the wings of the wind. Psalm 18:11, He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies I. He made darkness his covering, secret place, A. Psalm 27:5, For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. B. Psalm 31:20, Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. II. his canopy around him the dark rain clouds of the sky. Note: These extensive references to nature a reflection of David s outdoor life as both a shepherd and warrior. Psalm 18:12, At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. I. Out of the brightness of his pieremce clouds advanced, II. advanced with hailstones and bolts of lightning. A. Exodus 9:22-34, And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 23

24 24 land of Egypt. And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD's. But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up. And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. Psalm 18:13, The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 24

25 25 I. The Lord thundered from heaven; II. The voice of the Most High resounded. Psalm 18:14, Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. I. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, A. Job 6:4, For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. B. Psalm 7:13, He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. C. Exodus 14:24, And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, II. He discharged great blots lightning and routed them. Psalm 18:15, Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. I. The valleys (channels) of the sea (waters) were exposed A. This reminds the reader of: 1. Israel s crossing the Red Sea. a. Exodus 14:29, 30, But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 25

26 Zephaniah s description of the Final Judgment, (Coffman) a. Zephaniah 1:2, I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. II. and the foundations of the earth laid bare A. God s wrath against evil left nothing unrevealed. III. (all this) at your rebuhe, O Lord, IV. at the blast of breath from your nostrils. A. This phrase refers to God s wrath, 1. Revelation 6:17, For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Psalm 18:16, He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. I. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; II. he drew me out of deep waters (trouble). A. Coffman observed that deep waters refer to David s enemies, particularly, in this case, king Saul, (see also Smith) from whom God delivered him. Psalm 18:17, He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. I. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, (Saul), A. 1 Samuel 31:1-4, Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 26

27 27 Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul's sons. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. B. Saul s death finally ended his threat to David. II. (He rescued me) from my foes, who were too strong for me. A. David, without God s help, would have been totally at the mercy of his enemies. Psalm 18:18, They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. I. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, A. David here speaks of his being confronted by his enemies and of God s delivering him from disaster. B. 1 Samuel 23:13-15, Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth. And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 27

28 28 C. 1 Samuel 24:1-3, And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. D. 1 Samuel 26:1-4 1And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed. II. but the Lord was my support. Psalm 18:19, He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. I. He brought me out into a spacious place; i.e. freedom from my enemies. A. Psalm 31:8, And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room. B. Psalm 118:5, I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. II. he rescued me because he delighted in me. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 28

29 29 A. Why did God delight in David? What would cause God to delight in us? Psalm 18:20, The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. I. The Lord has dealt with me (rewarded me) according to my righteousness;... A. How would we fare if God dealt with us according to our righteousness? 1. Galatians 6:7, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. B. Smith stated David did not claim to be sinless, but to have a single minded devotion to the Lord Kings 14:8, And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; 2. 1 Kings 11:4, For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father Kings 15:5, Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 29

30 30 of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. 4. David was a man of integrity! (Smith) 5. Smith observed that this psalm was written before David became involved with Bathsheba. 6. Deuteronomy 28:1-14, And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 30

31 31 shall be afraid of thee. And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. Note: In a moral universe it is to be expected that there will be both a reward for righteousness and punishment for evil, and such execution of justice is stated in the Scriptures as inevitable (Tesh and Zorn) II. according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. A. Psalm 7:8, The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. B. Job 27:5, 9, God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? C. Job 31:6, Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 31

32 32 D. David and Job had honesty of purpose, the sincere determination to do right which produced a good conscience toward God. (Pulpit Commentary) E. Psalm 24:4, He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. F. Clean hands are hands unstained by any wicked action. (Pulpit Commentary) Psalm 18:21, For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. I. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; A. Can we honestly say this? B. Mark 10:17-22, And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 32

33 33 II. I have not done evil by turning from my God. A. In Hebrew poetry, two parallel lines often have the same meaning. B. Here, I have kept the ways of the Lord means, I have not wickedly purposefully departed from my God. Psalm 18:22, For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. I. All his laws as before me; II. I have not turned away from his (written) decree. A. The wicked disdain God s laws Kings 14:9, But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back: 2. Nehemiah 9:26, Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations. 3. Psalm 1:1, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 4. Ezekiel 23:35, Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 33

34 34 behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms. B. David kept God s laws diligently. 1. Nevertheless, David well knew he had been a recipient of God s mercy. ( Tesh and Zorn) Psalm 18:23, I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. I. I have been upright before him A. 1 Kings 11:4, For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. B. 1 Kings 14:8, And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; C. 1 Kings 15:5, Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. D. Job 1:1, There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. II. and (I) have kept myself from sin (iniquity). Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 34

35 35 A. Hebrews 12:1, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, B. It appears that David had an inclination toward some particular sin, against which he found it necessary to be continuously on guard. (Pulpit commentary) C. It is not known what this sin was. III Christians, through Christ, can also lay claim to righteousness. (Coffman) A. Colossians 1:28, Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: B. 1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Psalm 18:24, Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. I. The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, II. (The Lord has rewarded me) according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. A. David was not claiming sinlessness, but he was clean in God s eyesight, innocent in regard to matters of which he was accused by his enemies. (Coffman) Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor. 35