WHY DO YOU THINK THE 23RD PSALM IS THE MOST BELOVED PSALM?
I THINK, IN PART, IT IS BECAUSE THE WORD PICTURES MAKE THE TRUTHS LIVE
WE CAN PICTURE THE SHEPHERD CARING FOR HIS SHEEP,
LEADING THEM BESIDE STILL WATERS
ANOINTING THEIR WOUNDED HEADS WITH OIL
BUT WORD PICTURES PERMEATE ALL THE PSALMS,
NOT JUST THE 23RD.
SO AS WE CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY,
LET US ALLOW LESS FAMILIAR WORD PICTURES SEEP INTO OUR HEARTS
MAKING THESE PSALMS OURS
GIVING THESE PSALMS POWER TO
QUICKEN OUR PRAYER LIVES
SUSTAIN US IN TRIAL,
AND OVERCOME THE LIES OF THE ENEMY.
THIS WEEK WE WILL LOOK AT THE MURAL OF PICTURES IN PSALM 18.
TO BEGIN, ON THIS SABBATH DAY, CONSIDER:
Hannah Hurnard’s classic, “Hinds Feet in High Places,” tells of the lamb, “Little Much-Afraid” who wanted the Good Shepherd to carry her over the hard places, but he wanted her to walk them herself, for the only way she could develop the tough hard hooves needed for future climbing was to walk those hard places herself. As we look back at suffering in our lives, if we trusted the Lord and didn’t back up, it did develop strength of character in our lives, faith that He would be with us and work all things together for the good. Then, the next time the trail became rocky and slippery, we found He had “made our feet like hinds’ feet, setting us upon high places.
During this Lent, it was gratifying to see in you and in my own life God making our feet like hinds feet. Looking to the cross and persevering through the wilderness develops those feet. I was particularly moved by our own Diane’s testimony:
Lent was hard in some ways for me this year. In many ways I am still grieving – for my daughter Krista’s situation, for her losses, my own losses. However, there have been gains. Krista is in a much better place emotionally and spiritually than before her crisis. I also personally have been forced to put my faith “where the rubber meets the road”, trusting God when it seems He is silent. And I have found Him faithful. I have clung to Him and He has held me. Throughout Lent (with the help of Scripture, Lenten readings, studying the Psalms here and you my blogging friends), I contemplated Jesus’ sufferings – from His struggle in prayer in the Gethsemane, through His physical torture and rejection, and then His abandonment by His Father on the Cross, I have grieved with my Lord in deep sorrow. Yet, my deepening awareness of the depths to which Jesus was willing to go due to His love for me has helped open my eyes to the deep hope for renewal that there is in Christ. His resurrection proves He is in control. He came to redeem, renew, and restore. He is Life. He gives me life. Nothing can take my Hope away. He is risen.
I just found out Rebecca sang Psalm 18 in church recently!
http://youtu.be/corqRijNzxo
SUNDAY ICEBREAKER
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. Take a recent trial from your life in which you trusted the Lord and explain how it has strengthened you to face with faith a current trial.
MONDAY-THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY
I’m so thankful for those of you who are continuing on after Lent. I realized, as I studied Psalm 18, that I could have used it for Easter, for just as Psalm 17 can be seen as Christ’s cry for deliverance, Psalm 18 can be seen as God’s answer. I particularly like the song from the Psalm project for it goes through the many images that show God’s deliverance. Go to this page and click on Psalm 18 for a great preview — let the word pictures fill your imagination and penetrate your heart:
https://noisetrade.com/thepsalmsproject/volume-2-psalms-11-20
You may also like this familiar song — often used with children:
3. Read Psalm 18:1-19 out loud to yourself so that the word pictures can penetrate your heart. Find one that quickens you and describe it, explaining why it ministers to you.
4. Explain how Psalm 18:1-19:
A. Could be a picture of the Exodus
B. Could be a picture of Calvary
C. Could be a picture of your life
5. Look up the following verse references, read them aloud, and then consider the following visuals. Comment on anything that quickens you:
A. PSALM 18:1-2
B. PSALM 18:7
C. PSALM 18:14
D. PSALM 18:16
6. Take one of the above pictures and use it as a springboard for praise, confession, or petition.
7. Read Psalm 18:16-27 and find Christ.
8. Read Psalm 18:28-50 aloud and find a word picture that penetrates your heart and explain why.
9. Meditate on the following passages and visuals from Psalm 18:28-50 and comment on anything that quickens you:
A. Psalm 18:28
B. Psalm 18:29
C. Psalm 18:46
10. Take one of the above pictures and use it as a springboard for praise, confession, or petition.
Friday: Sermon: The Lord is My Fortress
11. Share your notes or comments! 🙂 on The Lord is My Fortress by John Fesko.
Saturday
12. What is your take-a-way and why?
P. S.
I’ve a surprise for you next week!
300 comments
4. C. Psalm 18:1-19 could be a picture of your life.
Many of the verses apply to my life, so far (and to come I am sure), especially the progression of being entangled in cords of death and then He lifts me out (praise the Lord!). But the one that stands out to me is v13 “the voice of the Most High resounded” and then it describes Him scattering the enemies. This stands out to me because there are a handful of times when He has palpably touched my life. More than just kisses and blessing but His voice resounded. I have shared about my baptism and my experience with Idol Lies and these are two times in my life that are corner stones for my faith (in addition to a couple other experiences). The power of His voice! I can never deny that there is a living God who cares enough to come to me and scatter my enemies!
5. Consider the following visuals. Comment on anything that quickens you. The one that quickens me most, though all give me pause to praise and repent, is C. Psalm 18:15 – the picture of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. What strikes me is the length of their path. The fact that God held back the sea (with a mere breath from His nostrils) for that long so that they could walk that far to get to safety causes me to reevaluate my approach to life. I still expect my challenges to be short lived. I still despair when God “takes His time” to answer positively to a request. He has been revealing slowly my need to long-suffer. To keep walking the path – instead I keep trying to build a raft to jump up on the waves and be done with it! I keep looking at these men traipsing up the last hill, out of the Sea valley and thinking – wow they have come so far, through so much, and God kept the sea back the entire time…I am inspired to trust, to walk, to continue on and on (and on and on).” Do not grow weary in doing good!” If my perspective is right I would marvel at Him while walking through the difficult path – can you imagine gazing into the Sea at that level and what marvels may have been found on the Sea floor? Not only that but His ability and care would be shouting the whole time because the waves were not crashing in! How could I not trust Him to deliver?! Wow. I want to frame this picture now…
6. Take one of the above pictures and use it as a springboard for praise, confession, or petition. God, forgive me, give me patience, give me perspective. God I know I am in your hands. I know your heart is GOOD and that all I walk through is in Your perspective for good. God, eliminate my selfishness and narrow view on life. Give me patience and long-suffering to always serve those you give me and be kind and loving. To respond in Christ. May I not forget to marvel at who You are in the midst of hardship because I am not trusting. Thank you! for holding back the sea. Thank you! for the glorious beauty you set around me to help me sing praises to You and be kissed by you daily. I am humbled and grateful. Amen.
Jill, I love your post, especially your thoughts on #5…yes, I imagine that their journey across the Red Sea wasn’t like a quick walk around the block…”what strikes me is the length of their path. The fact that God held back the sea (with a mere breath from His nostrils) for that long so that they could walk that far to get to safety causes me to reevaluate my approach to life. I still expect my challenges to be short lived. I still despair when God “takes His time” to answer positively to a request.”
Great comments on #5 Jill. I don’t know if I’ve ever stopped to think about how long it took them to cross! Especially with the number of people traveling. And you’re right. That does give encouragement to keep on going….and to know that God is faithful. Thanks for that insight.
3. Read Psalm 18:1-19 out loud to yourself so that the word pictures can penetrate your heart. Find one that quickens you and describe it, explaining why it ministers to you.
Verse 2…”The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my
shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
What stands out to me is how David really lays claim to God in this verse and all the uses of the word “MY”. He doesn’t just say that God is “a” rock, “a” shield, etc…but David is pressing into Him with a depth and an intimacy. “My lover is mine and I am his” from Song of Songs comes to mind. This quickens me because I believe this is the Lord’s invitation to me when I am feeling as verses 4-6 describe – “entangled, overwhelmed, confronted, in distress”. He wants me to press into Him and to know Him not as some remote observer from a distance that is watching what is going on in my life, but as a real, personal God that I can run to and INTO. I am small and weak but I can hide in Him.
LOVE this Susan “a real, personal God that I can run to and INTO.” Hiding in Him with you!
4. Explain how Psalm 18:1-19:
A. Could be a picture of the Exodus
There are many parallels with the Exodus account! Psalm 18 opens with “I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (verses 1-2)
From Moses’ song to the Lord in Exodus 15:1-2, “I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted…The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him.”
Psalm 18:4-6 describe a very dire situation…”the snares of death confronted me” and “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.” Exodus 14:10 says, “As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.” They said to Moses that it would’ve been better for them to die in Egypt than out here in the desert, so they were convinced they were going to die.
Psalm 18:7-15 describe the Lord’s response. This parallels the Lord’s response in Exodus 14, “The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel…During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, ‘Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
Psalm 18:15, “The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.” Exodus 15:8 says, “By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood firm like a wall…”
Psalm 18:16-19 describe God’s rescue, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”
Exodus 15 depicts God’s awesome rescue of the Israelites out of the hand of the Egyptians, as recounted by Moses.
Just have to share with you all Scotty Smith’s Prayer for Peace in the Midst of Broken Stuff.
link
Diane-my husband and I read this this morning and I too was so moved by it. The Lord really uses him, so often He speaks to me just where I am through Scotty’s prayers.
Thanks, Diane. That was so timely and beautiful.
Thanks, Diane. I haven’t had time to open emails yet today, so will read your link instead 🙂
5. Look up the following verse references, read them aloud, and then consider the following visuals. Comment on anything that quickens you:
vs.18:14 — David must have written this at a time when he was feeling helpless. The Israelites had to have felt that way before the Red Sea parted for them. I have times when I feel like I am just up against a wall of water. It is at times like this that I cry out to the Lord. Sometimes I just say “Help me!” Sometimes it is phrased “Lord have mercy!” Many many times He has reached down and plucked me from my disaster. Sometimes He has chosen instead to walk with me over the dry land with the water walled up on either side — while I am holding my breath all the way 🙂 I believe it was in one of Keller’s sermons that he mentioned that probably not all of the Israelites walked across in perfect faith, and that someone was bound to be saying “Oh, no, I’m going to die!” I would imagine that is true — particularly of those in the back of the line as they were crossing! This verse is one that I want to memorize, as it will come in handy the next time I feel like life is drowning me.
Sorry, Ladies, I got confused and put 18:14 down for the verse in my last post and it should have been 18:16. I had verse 16, and then I mistakenly tried to correct it — then I really did have it wrong! Confusion was definitely the name of the game!
“It is at times like this that I cry out to the Lord. Sometimes I just say “Help me!” Sometimes it is phrased “Lord have mercy!” Many many times He has reached down and plucked me from my disaster. Sometimes He has chosen instead to walk with me over the dry land with the water walled up on either side — while I am holding my breath all the way 🙂 “ I like your thoughts here, Deanna. Sometimes, those cries for help are the best way to communicate with God….and how true that sometimes we get rescued straight away and other times, we need to walk through. I love that reference to the Keller sermon too….that stuck with me so much. That it wasn’t the quality of their faith but the object of their faith that brought them safely to the other side.
Yes — Deanna — I think “Help” is my most frequent prayer, followed perhaps by Thank you — but it trails “Help”
6. Take one of the above pictures and use it as a springboard for praise, confession, or petition.
O Lord, My God, you are my Rock and my strength! Thank you for being my refuge when I am tempted to “stray away” or “flip out” because of things that happen in my life. I praise you that you are always there — steady as a rock — never wavering. I want to just cling to you and anchor myself in the rock of your love, your forgiveness, and your power. Please keep me from swaying with false doctrines, idols, anger, or doubt. When all about me seems to be moving and changing, and when there is nothing earthly I can put my trust in, I praise you that I can run to you, and you will enfold me and keep me safe. Amen.
7. Read Psalm 18:16-27 and find Christ.
He is all throughout the Psalm. A few that stood out most:
Christ, “sent from on high” by the Father, as my Redeemer, “he took me…” (v.16)
Christ, my Rescuer “He rescued me from my strong enemy” (v.17)
Christ, my Savior “they were too mighty for me.” (v.17)
Christ, Lover of my soul “delighted in me.”(v.19)
Christ, clothes me in righteousness “according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.” (v.20)
Christ, the Holy One “I have kept the ways of the Lord…I was blameless before him…” (v.21)
Christ, at the Father’s right hand “So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness” (v.24)
4. Explain how Psalm 18:1-19:
B. Could be a picture of Calvary
Verses 4-6 certainly could picture what Jesus endured during His Passion. “The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me…” makes me think of how Tim Keller describes that Jesus went under the waves, the waves that would kill us. When I read verses 7-8, I know the earth quaked when Jesus was on the Cross but these verses seem to picture God’s wrath and judgment toward sin…”they trembled because He was angry. Smoke rose from His nostrils; consuming fire came from His mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.” Jesus, the Precious Son of God, became sin for us and the wrath of God against sin was unleashed upon Him. (“The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him” – Isaiah 53:5)
Jesus said on the Cross, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit”…verse 16 says “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.” Shadowy picture of the resurrection in these verses, too…”He rescued me from my powerful enemy” – the power of death was destroyed. “He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me” – Philippians 2:9 “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name”.
Very good point about the wrath of God making the earth tremble and the Isaiah 53 passage.
4. Explain how Psalm 18:1-19:
C. Could be a picture of your life
I’m kind of picturing these first 19 verses as a grand picture of what God did to save me (us). Before Christ, I was spiritually dead, I had no life within me. As Zechariah said in Luke 1:79, God sent the rising sun to us from heaven “to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.” The entrance of sin and death into God’s perfect world must have caused Him so much pain – I know He hates sin because of what it does to His children. And so “He parted the heavens and came down…” These verses that describe a battle scene make me imagine the unseen battles that go on in the spiritual realm between good and evil, the battle for the souls of men and women; the grasp of the enemy who does not want to relinquish the soul he has chained in darkness. And I was unable to free myself, for I did not know I was living in darkness. “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy (Satan), from my foes who were too strong for me.” Who is it that even puts the thought of God in a person’s mind, who gives a person the desire to know God, who draws him or her…it is God who does that. “He brought me out into a spacious place” – He breaks chains, sets the prisoners free. This is so wonderful, because when I was not saved and ignorant of God, I thought I was “free to be me”…to live my own life, be my own person. In reality, I was hemmed-in, a slave to sin. That image of being brought out into a spacious place – it’s like God saying to His child, “Look – I’ve given you the whole world! Everything you need is found in Me!”
“He rescued me because He delighted in me.” God made me the object of His love. I could not and did not earn or deserve it. God is love and His desire is to love us and for us to love Him in return.
So eloquent and true, Susan.
I switched to the email connected with the dolphin avatar because I dived into deep waters today — right after I shared with someone how God is changing my heart!!
5. Look up the following verse references, read them aloud, and then consider the following visuals. Comment on anything that quickens you:
A. PSALM 18:1-2
“I love you, O Lord, my strength.” Can’t really explain it, but this has been making me smile whenever I think it.
B. PSALM 18:7 and the verses following it are SO powerful. I want to study them more closely. I’m impressed with how the artist painted the lightening. Can’t keep my eyes open any longer, so will come back. Psalm 18:16-19 has been calling my name all week, and I lived those verses today. So grateful that he rescued me once again after I dove into the deep waters.
Renee, You got me here: “I switched to the email connected with the dolphin avatar because I dived into deep waters today — right after I shared with someone how God is changing my heart!!” -He is making your heart so tender…
That certainly is a good visual for deep waters! 🙂
Renee…So many of these old, old hymns that we thought were so boring and weird when we were kids pop into my head lately and bring fresh meaning… I hope you are encouraged today by these words from 1871 Hugs.
Jesus, Savior pilot me over life’s tempestuous sea.
Unknown waves before me roll, hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass came from Thee; Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild.
Boist’rous waves obey Thy will, when Thou say’st to them, ‘Be still.’
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
When at last I reach the shore and the fearful breakers roar
‘twixt me and the peaceful rest,. Then, while leaning on Thy breast
may I hear Thee say to me, “Fear not. I will pilot thee.”
Isaiah 41:13….”I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear. I will help you.’
Thanks, Wanda! Sleep helped, too. Could use more (and asked someone to go for a walk over lunch because gotta get some blood to the brain). Was asked to make a major, expensive decision yesterday or today — and had to say “no” because I don’t have time to think.
Yes, lovely. Do you listen to Indelible Grace, Wanda? They take old hymns and put them to new music. Love them.
I haven’t yet. Will have to check it out. Thanks.
6. Take one of the above pictures and use it as a springboard for praise, confession, or petition.
Dearest Father, each of the pictures shows our beautiful earth; the earth you fashioned for us. And although it is not our real home, it is a unique place indeed. The sun peeking through the sea arch makes me think of you watching me, smiling at me. I have always thought water is life and each image shows some form of water, either in the clouds above the crosses or as an ocean. It is powerful and necessary for life on this earth. It holds creatures and washes us clean. Thank you Jesus for giving us the necessities we need to live these temporary lives on earth. The sun itself is the engine that drives the system and without it we could not exist. You show the power you have in each picture also. How you were angry at Jesus’ crucifixion, how you were confident as the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, how you are compassionate to pull me from the deep waters when I am in trouble, and how you are peaceful as the waters rush over the beach; soothing. I need that peace now Lord. Thank you for providing.
Love your prayer, Laura…and how you appreciate His creation!
Laura — your gratitude in the midst of your storm touches me.
Beautiful composite prayer of depth and gratitude, Laura.
7. Read Psalm 18:16-27 and find Christ.
Christ is in these passages in that He was rescued by God when His enemies were surrounding Him. God came down and made Himself known when He made the earth tremble. Because Jesus was faithful and blameless, He was rewarded by having everlasting life next to the Father.
5 A. PSALM 18:1-2
What quickened me is that whenever I feel as if I am drowning..there stands the rock both below and above the water..it is a strong presence-He is sovereign, He is my strength. The sun peeking through the rock reminds me of the resurrection-hope.
5B. I see Aslan here. I see the fierceness of His wrath yet the fury of His Love at once. This wasn’t just any average earthquake or trembling..it was pretty severe-the mountains shook because God was angry-yet He is hanging on a cross taking on our sin-the punishment we deserved, and not just to save us from the penalty of sin but to save us from the power of sin, He died to bring us into the dance and take us higher with Him.
5C. I see in this picture how God really scattered and destroyed Israel’s enemies, but I also see the Israelites walking in trust. There they are before he parted the sea-thinking this is it-no where to turn, our enemies are upon us now..They were drowning internally even though God was there in a pillar of fire. I can’t imagine what that was like for them when He parted the sea and as they walked through, God held up the waters on each side. How they needed to trust Him with every hard step.
5D. With each picture I am being quickened in regard to His majesty and power and my weakness, but Oh to trust Him more..HE is always reaching down to pull me out of deep waters..HE reaches down-HE pursues-HE rescues-HE makes new. He is sovereign, my rock, my shield the horn of my salvation! :))))))
6. Lord YOU are my rock..You pursue..You are savior, redeemer and the lover of my soul. Your anger makes the mountains shake, yet you hung on the cross willing to be torn apart from God for me..I love you Lord and I lift my voice to worship You, oh my soul rejoice..take joy my king in what you hear let it be a sweet sweet sound in your ear.
Re ecc
Rebecca, love the Aslan reference.
8. Psalm 18:28-50 find a word picture that penetrates your heart and explain why.
There is a strong “through Christ I can do all things” theme in these verses. “I can advance a troop,” ” I can scale a wall.”
“You stoop down to make me great” touches me – He comes to me, He makes Himself weak and lowly to get to me (yes, Christ is here).
I am also struck by v 34 “He trains my hands for battle, my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” For some reason the amount of strength that is achieved through His training me speaks loudly to my heart. There are so many days when I just fail. I am thinking specifically with parenting in this instance. But this Psalm is a promise that He is training me to be strong – can I assume that I will “get better”?! That I will be able to bend a bow of bronze?? That’s amazing strength. Not only that but the arrow shot from that kind of bow would be more powerful? I think the training doesn’t necessarily make me super strong but continually teaches me to turn to Him to be my strength. These thoughts are a bit muddy.
I think I long for that strength, the “get better,” not because I want to BE strong or to be able to handle things by myself but because when I fail, sin, I loose Him and that feels awful and unpeaceful.
I also wonder at Him giving all sorts of “land powers” for strength and overcoming our enemies but the Psalm never says anything about giving us strength in the water, only that He draws me out of deep waters. Does this mean that we are not to stay in the waters ever? And Renee’s comment was good – I often focus on the waters pursuing me and threatening me but I so often just jump in myself! Yikes.
8. Read Psalm 18:28-50 aloud and find a word picture that penetrates your heart and explain why.
There are lots of beautiful word pictures in the part of the psalm, like leaping over a wall and making my feet secure on the heights like the feet of a deer, but the overwhelming imagery is of battle. I frequently shy away from David’s battle imagery. I think we should be people of peace whenever possible. However, I realize that this life is a battle. Our enemy, Satan, is a powerful foe and his aim is to destroy us, using any cruel and underhanded method he can. We need to fight. God equips us for battle and fights with us. Here are some verses that show that:
It is clear throughout the passage that it is God who gives the victory. Then David ends the psalm in praise songs for God’s great salvation and steadfast love “to David and his offspring forever.”
It is so encouraging to KNOW beyond a shadow of doubt that, though the battle is fierce and the enemy is strong, my God is greater, stronger and HE WILL WIN. This gives me courage to get up and fight and keep fighting no matter how bleak life seems.
“I frequently shy away from David’s battle imagery. I think we should be people of peace whenever possible. However, I realize that this life is a battle” Diane.…these words really resonate with me. I ‘skip over’ a lot of passages that speak of war….but you’re right. The battle goes on every day in our own lives and hearts….and we need to know where our strength and victory lies.
The number of wars that the U.S. has been involved in during the last decades definitely points me toward more peaceful images. BUT, when I looked up the word “imprecatory” in January (?) and learned about imprecatory Psalms, my attitude toward the battle images changed.
In addition, as I am learning to take my “moderate” longings to the Lord, the Psalms will help before I become desperate. Yesterday, I went through one of my normal (but not frequent anymore) freaking out episodes — and quickly turned to the Lord and to our group for prayer. I don’t think I prayed an imprecatory Psalm, but I sure am glad it is in my arsenal for this potential situation. Actually, Diane and Wanda, the Lord is speaking to me through your discussion of this and further calming my my heart about the situation.
Diane (and Wanda),
I, too, shy away from the battle imagery. Before this study I only ever saw David’s battles in the Psalms and they lacked luster for me because of it. Now I am so glad that I am learning to look at the Psalms with more application – seeing Christ first, and application for the battle of this life and learning from David’s heart within the battle. They are truly coming to life!
Thanks Renee and Jill……those are helpful comments. I will have to research ‘imprecatory’ as well.
5. Look up the following verse references, read them aloud, and then consider the following visuals. Comment on anything that quickens you:
A. Psalm 18:1-2 – Well, I’m not one to say that rocks look beautiful or exciting, but this rock looks immovable, unshakable, and the way the rays of light are bursting through the opening, it looks glorious! It kind of reminds me of pictures that show the empty tomb. I can imagine Jesus saying these words when He was risen and inhabited His physical body again and walked out of the tomb. I also see a glory “veiled”…we could not endure the full brightness of His glory but we get a glimpse of it and an invitation to seek refuge in Him.
B. Psalm 18:7 – I am still pondering the meaning of God’s anger in this verse. What was happening as Jesus hung on the Cross was a great reversal of the curse that entered when Adam and Eve sinned…the black sky, lightning bolts, earth shaking like a giant gavel being pounded in heaven with the verdict “GUILTY”…did the mockers and those who pierced Him realize that their guilt was placed on the One that hung there? It really does stun me to think that the anger that should have been directed at them (and me) was instead placed on the Son of God. It is no wonder the earth shook when Father and Son were torn from each other because the Father had to look away as His Son bore the guilt of sin.
C. Psalm 18:14 – The awesome power of our God to hold back the sea. And to remind myself that if God parts the sea for me, He will not close it back in on me and drown me. He did part the sea for me – He made a way for me to cross over from death to life. That should be as amazing to me and leave a lasting impression on me as the Red Sea made a lasting impression on every Israelite who crossed that day.
D. Psalm 18:16 – I just love the words “He took hold of me”. He cared enough to come and rescue me Himself.
Thanks for this picture Susan:
“He did part the sea for me – He made a way for me to cross over from death to life. That should be as amazing to me and leave a lasting impression on me as the Red Sea made a lasting impression on every Israelite who crossed that day.”
Susan, I love the same thing Laura does. I pray for that deep lasting impression.
Always so moved by how you are digging in! I was telling a friend yesterday that I often feel those I’ve mentored are moving past me!
6. Take one of the above pictures and use it as a springboard for praise, confession, or petition.
Lord I praise You and thank You for being my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my Shield, my Salvation, my Stronghold. Please help me to overcome the un-certainty that often surfaces in my emotions that makes me unsure of how I stand with You. Your desire is not to crush me but to offer me safety and refuge. When my doubts come, help me to look again at the Cross and to see Jesus there, in my place, bearing my sin. It is so my default mode to think that surely I have to do something or pay something-how can forgiveness be so freely given to me? Yet it is free, but when I look at the Cross I know it is not cheap grace. I will never understand the true depth of pain and the cost that was paid for me. I was as separated from You as if the Red Sea was before me and I had no way to cross over to You. Through Jesus’ torn flesh, You opened a way for me to cross over to You. Lord, I pray for the unsaved members of my family who are in deep waters but don’t know it. They need to be rescued, and I pray that You, in Your mercy, will reach down and take hold of them and draw them out and rescue them from their powerful enemy. Open their eyes to see that they desperately need a Rescuer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Wanda – praying for you especially today as you mentioned you have been preparing for an emotional battle today!
I am praying as well Wanda!
Thank you so much! Susan and Laura
Praying, too!
8. Read Psalm 18:28-50 aloud and find a word picture that penetrates your heart and explain why.
“You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.” (Psalm 18:36 NIV)
I love to hike and this verse hits home with me…..when your ankle “gives way” you are potentially hurt. I have fairly strong ankles since I dance, but I have been known to step on a root or in a hole and slightly injure myself. It is painful even though you didn’t break it. Funny story here too…….Sarah thought she was smart in buying these awful black, studded, 5 inch heel (ugly) boots after Christmas. She was going out on New Year’s Eve (by herself no less, in NYC) and I felt uncomfortable for her. I was driving home from seeing my mom. I get a call and wouldn’t you know she had fallen in those stupid shoes and broke one of the heels off and jammed her ankle so she could barely walk! She never got to go out for New Years, and I was happy about that 🙂 we are still dealing with the ankle, but you never know what would have happened if she made it out on that night. I really felt that God’s protection was on her that night.
Laura, this story is really good – we never know when our trials are really keeping us safe.
10. Take one of the above pictures and use it as a springboard for praise, confession, or petition.
I chose Psalm 18:28:
“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” (Psalm 18:28 NIV)
Lord, I have been in darkness much of my whole life. I am sorry. When I am “in You” I am happier, and a better person overall. Thank You for being with me and guiding me even when You know the depths of my heart. It has not been a pretty thing always. You are good and kind and strong and definitely the light we all need. I will try to do better with my life in the future, but I’m sure I will fall at times. Sadly I am human, and know I am no where near perfect. Not like You, but striving to be like You. When I focus on Your glory I am peaceful and yes! the darkness turns to light. In Your Holy Name, Amen.
7. Read Psalm 18:16-27 and find Christ.
I found this question difficult to answer. I read the passage aloud and silent — either way I seemed unclear. The only thing I could figure out was that it all applied to Jesus Christ who was blameless, righteous, pure, holy, and without sin, just as was described in these verses. I’m going to be interested in seeing how the rest of you answer this question.
8. Read Psalm 18:28-50 aloud and find a word picture that penetrates your heart and explain why.
For me the first one was the best one, verse 28, “You , O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” Sometimes everything just gets merky, and I get confused and can’t tell where I am going. Then God does both of the things that are implied in this verse: (1) He keeps my lamp burning–this may mean trimming my wick so His spirit burns brighter within me, and (2) He adds His light so that my darkness turns into light. He casts His clarity on the issues of my life so I can understand them better and have the wisdom to know what to do. I’m asking for this kind of help from God at the present time. My husband just learned last night that his brother in California has died (age 91). We don’t know where or when the arrangements will be, but I am concerned that we probably will not be able to travel to California if the arrangements are there. The health of my husband (age 88) and various issues he has will not lend well to flying, and it wouldn’t be much better to try to do it by train or car. I feel like I am going to need to play the “horrible role” of being the one to say “We can’t go!” I have seen the predicament coming for months, and have been praying for the Lord to give us some way through this difficult time. I am still waiting on the Lord at this point — hoping perhaps our nieces might decide to hold a memorial service in this part of the country (that is a very remote possibility). Please cast your light, O God, into this vast darkness!
9. Meditate on the following passages and visuals from Psalm 18:28-50 and comment on anything that quickens you:
I have just commented on the first passage in my answer to #8, and I have already commented on verse 2 (which is very similar to 18:46) in my answer to question #3. So now I would tend to turn to 18:29. At first I looked at the visual with this one, and I was saying to myself, “I can’t leap a wall with a single bound like superman!” However, in the NIV, verse 29 reads “With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” Of course, with God all things are possible! On my own, I cannot accomplish much, but with God’s help my potential is limitless!! Somehow I think I am more accustomed to scaling the wall (with God’s help, of course) than leaping over a high wall!
So sorry for the loss of your brother-in-law, Deanna. Sorry also for the strong probability that you and your husband will not be able to go. I’m praying with you that the family will have a memorial service in your state. May God comfort you and your husband as only He can in this time of loss.
So sorry Deanna, praying for all of you
Deanna, so sorry for your loss. I pray God would present an agreeable solution to participate in your brother-in-laws’s remembrance.
Thank you, Diane, Elizabeth, and Jill! According to what I have learned so far, my brother-in-law’s family are planning to have services in California, and they have stated that they are aware it will probably only be immediate family present. They know that there are more elderly persons than just my husband involved, and aren’t expecting those family members to travel across the country. There aren’t plans yet for a memorial service in this area, but there is some talk among those here to have a dinner together in honor of the deceased. That might be helpful. At least it appears I am not going to be put in the position of being the only one to say we can’t go — that in itself is a bit of a relief! Thank you for your prayers everyone!
Deanna….I just got back to the blog tonight and saw the news about your brother in law. I’m sorry for your loss and for the difficult situation….glad that there has been some relief though, in knowing others will not make it to CA either. Will be praying for your family to all feel God’s peace at this time.
I am sorry for the loss of your husband’s brother, Deanna. I think that is a wonderful idea, for those of you who live close to one another to have a special dinner to honor and remember your brother-in-law, and I am glad that his family was understanding that travel to CA would be difficult for elderly family members.
Deanna thank you for the update. I am glad to hear God is working to iron out the details.
I’m so sorry too…praying for you, Deanna
I am just amazed as I read through this Psalm again–the initiative God takes to love Christ, and to love us. It is all from Him, He first loved us. As I read through, I made a list of (most of) the actions He takes for us, all originating from His love, just wanted to share this, it really spoke to me:
he heard my cry
rewarded me
delighted in me
lightens my darkness
given me the shield of salvation
a wide place for my steps
equipped me
Delivered me
delivered me from my enemies;
exalted me
rescued me
9. Meditate on the following passages and visuals from Psalm 18:28-50 and comment on anything that quickens you:A. Psalm 18:28
“For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.”
Something new just struck me in this verse—the Lord reverses our circumstances, our perception. It reminds me of Keller often quoting “everything sad is going to come untrue”. Also this from C.S. Lewis, in the Great Divorce “[Some mortals] say of some temporal suffering, “No future bliss can make up for it,” not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory.”He takes what is dark and makes it light; He takes hearts blackened with sin and makes us white as snow. He turns it all upside down—the Gospel turns everything upside down. What I see as a trial, He brings opportunities for growth and to show His glory. He brings life from death, beauty from ashes. And it is HIM who does this—God alone brings the light to our lamp, we cannot create light—only He can bring it. He has even given us the lamp, our hearts?, that He may come in and fill us with His light. Turning the darkness around—all things new. Restoration, regeneration, new life…
Elizabeth, SO GOOD!! Love this perspective. I won’t copy and paste your whole paragraph below; the whole paragraph is SOO GOOD.
Love seeing the quote from Lewis paired with Tolkein — heaven will work backwards. He is all about redemption!
Love these words and the imagery, Elizabeth. So reassuring.
“The Gospel turns everything upside down” – interesting to think that this fact can bring us comfort…yet to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, it made them angry!
Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock; yes and the picture of the rock is a visual along with the Exodus picture.
Jill’s words touch me and I identify with the feeling, “He has been revealing slowly my need to long-suffer.”
Yes, I will also keep walking the path, for God has made a way where there seems to be no way.
The song from verse 3 is also touching my heart. “I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised!”
Oh Lord, You are my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer. I do take refuge in You. When my trials mount,
my body is weak and my mind becomes discouraged, I know You are carrying me and making a way for me. You are worthy to be praised. I praise and thank You.
Sisters-this is what my 15 year old son, Eli posted on his facebook wall after walking the dog last night and looking at the sky: :))
“I dare you to look into the night sky and tell me your soul isn’t being tickled by Jesus in that moment..” (tickled…;~) )
Oh so wonderful to see this in a 15 year old boy.
oh Rebecca–write that down for sure! that is golden–I see your beauty, HIS beauty, shining through Eli–love that!
Love how Eli expresses his enjoyment-his delight, in God!
7. Read Psalm 18:16-27 and find Christ.
He is Holy-my rescuer, redeemer and clothes me with His righteousness-it is all in this passage!
8. Read Psalm 18:28-50 aloud and find a word picture that penetrates your heart and explain why.
V 34: He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. He is my strength! Can i stop here? 🙂
what struck me is how he trains my hands for battle-battles are all over the place-between my flesh and my spirit, with satan coming in and shooting his lying arrows, and in circumstances I didn’t cause..so regardless He uses all of that to transform me and train me to learn to trust Him-to hide in Him and to rest in Him, and when I fail He is even sovereign over that! He uses my failure to show me idols are worthless rags compared to Him and He trains me in the cycle of turning and trusting..He trains my hands for battle-He is maturing me.
As He shows me His faithfulness in being my strength He encourages me all the more to trust Him with each battle. He is my strength in overcoming the darts of the evil one and in turning from my idols-my flesh to Him. HE gets the glory for it is Him strengthening me in HIM..It is true-if there is any good in me it is HIM in me..
9. Meditate on the following passages and visuals from Psalm 18:28-50 and comment on anything that quickens you:
A. Psalm 18:28
I REALLY try not to read anyone’s answers before I answer because I want to hear Him, not me..yet I read Elizabeth’s insight clearly quickened by God and she helped me to extend further into what He was quickening me in the last question!! HE is so with us-His word is living… :))))
Rebecca – I am the same, hearing from Him first to ponder and answer and then read comments for further insight. =)
Jill-you are another one with insightful posts I have to control myself not to read before I answer-but after thinking about it some more, I do think it is good if we need help to go to one another’s answers before we answer and I have done that too-I think God helps us that way too. 🙂
True, Rebecca, true. =)
11. Share your notes or comments! 🙂 on The Lord is My Fortress by John Fesko.
Another excellent sermon. My soul has been flourishing through all these great sermons. I listened twice on Monday.
2 things stood out to me. First, the way he presented David as a “foreshadowing” of Jesus. I had been taught, for the first time, a few years ago that all the Old Testament points to Christ, and on this blog we have discussed this same thing but there was something in the way John Fesko said it that opened my eyes wide. These stories in the Old Testament do not just point to Jesus, they are a taste of Jesus, a foreshadowing, not much difference, but enough to make me look differently at what I read.
Second – my heart is on wings with this one. John Fesko defines the word “overtook” in v. 37. He says this is not merely passing them by as we do a car on a road but they are captured! This made my heart soar. Captured enemies cannot pursue the battle. I so often want to keep my enemies at bay, feeling somewhat in a survival mode (my thoughts during this were of my idols). If I can just keep them far enough away they can’t hurt me as bad. But this psalm says they are captured! Christ has victory over them! This renewed my hope and my confidence in His power in my heart. I am encouraged.
O! Also – John Fesko also talks about the symbolism of water as death which added a lot to “He draws me out of the waters ” loved John Fesko’s expansion of the symbolism in this psalm!
9 B. Psalm 18:29
-With Him I can scale a wall-I can advance against my enemies. This reminds me of the valleys of grief we walk through-the impossible…I think of Polly and Laura D with their cancer..I think of Elizabeth with her health issue, Diane and Krista and their deep waters, others here who have ongoing issues with those they work with where it seems the attacks are daily. But He comes in and HE is our strength and he takes these things and turns them into beauty in our lives and reminds us that these things in the future will be turned around..I see Him doing this by teaching us to take refuge under his wings and the more we rest in Him, the more we taste His sweetness with each trial, and I am finding that as crazy as it is that my flesh STILL wants to retreat to my idols when a trial hits..So I need Him through this blog and through my face to face sisters-through His word to help me scale the wall.
Rebecca–this is all SO rich, I want to hold on to this “the more we rest in Him, the more we taste His sweetness with each trial…” wow
The sermon was very good, I hope to listen again more closely–but running a bit behind today. A few points that stuck out to me:
Psalm 18 gives us David’s words after being rescued–this is the 2nd bookend, the praise for the answer to David’s prayer in Psalm 17. I like how much Fesko emphasized the importance of seeing Christ is the Psalms. He said “it is natural to personalize these Psalms. This personalization is important, but in this case, the caveat is that we do not take these words upon our lips apart from Christ. We must first see Christ in this Psalm, and then take it upon our lips. The Psallter as a whole, not just parts, points to Christ.”
David fearlessly says ‘I Love You’. His stronghold, His shield.
All of the Psalms are Messianic. David points forward to Christ, and we see our redemption in Christ. But we can also read this Psalm in a very personal way, but first through Christ. “I Love You O Lord my strength’—is the love Jesus has for the Father, and upon seeing this love, praise Him for enabling us to love Him, that we might utter these words to Him. Jesus called upon His Father, and then when we find our own distress, we look to and cry out to Christ. He has given purpose and meaning to our suffering because of His suffering. The trembling earth at Christ’s death—the Creator Himself, dying and the earth groaned because of it. We hear of the earth trembling and we can take hope in knowing Christ is creating again. Death does not have the last word. He suffered death so that I will not suffer death, eternally. Think of Christ’s resurrection—rescued from the waters by the Father. The Pharisees had pronounced Him guilty and God reversed the verdict and called Him Righteous. Death does not have the final word, but as Christ was raised from the dead, so shall we be. And we have hope in the face of death.
Hello everyone:
I’m blessed to join your group and look forward to learning much in the days ahead. I am from Toronto, Canada and found Dee’s website / blog / videos after coming out of prayer earlier this week. I’m happy to share if anyone is interested. I have since purchased the book, Idol Lies (awaiting the shipment), downloaded the audio message from Rev. Jim Om and have been through the vimeo videos three times – this week! Oh, how this is an answer to many years of prayer and fasting. Those idols that are hidden in the heart. Dee, the Holy Spirit has used your testimony to speak right into my heart – thank you for the courage and the maturity to share your story so freely. Its time to take down these idols – those that I have inherited and those I have erected.
The Lord has placed this scripture in my heart and I’m going to study it as there’s so much there! I can’t wait for the book to arrive. Here are proof of our idols should anyone doubt they exist.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
18:1-8 Hezekiah was a true son of David. Some others did that which was right, but not like David. Let us not suppose that when times and men are bad, they must needs grow worse and worse; that does not follow: after many bad kings, God raised one up like David himself. The brazen serpent had been carefully preserved, as a memorial of God’s goodness to their fathers in the wilderness; but it was idle and wicked to burn incense to it. All helps to devotion, not warranted by the word of God, interrupt the exercise of faith; they always lead to superstition and other dangerous evils. Human nature perverts every thing of this kind. True faith needs not such aids; the word of God, daily thought upon and prayed over, is all the outward help we need.
There is so much more to be unearthed through this study. I would encourage you to dig, and dig, and dig because there’s GOLD in those mines – and keys for your prisons. Finally, after a long night in chains, the dawn is about to break forth. Dee, please don’t stop. God has truly raised you up to liberate the people of God. Truly, this is God’s time for his people to come forth and shine like the noonday sun.
Your fellow sister and servant in Christ,
Elaine
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Elaine! Very life giving to me. And we are so very glad to have you!
Welcome, Elaine. I’m from Canada as well – far east… New Brunswick. This is a wonderful place to grow in the Lord.
Hello and welcome, Elaine! I agree with Elizabeth about your enthusiasm…it comes through in your post!
Elaine, welcome! Glad to hear your testimony of how God is working in your life, thank you for sharing.
Welcome, Elaine.
Eliane, Welcome!! I so love that you shared your encouragement to Dee with all of us-this means so much. We are glad you are joining us! Feel free to share how God is moving as you read Idol Lies-I am sure you will encourage us in your journey! 🙂
Welcome Elaine H.! So wonderful to have you join us–love your enthusiasm, your faith–and your encouragement to Dee’s ministry. Glad you’re here!
Elizabeth:
Thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to joining the online bible study.
Elaine
Elaine…its so nice to have you join us! Welcome!
A good weekend song– Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder-Indelible Grace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYYly5isH3o&list=PL35A260CCC910E5E9&index=22
ps-oh Dee & Rebecca-I just saw 4 out of 5 of our songs at Church for Sunday are Indelible Grace—fly here for the weekend? 🙂
fun to dream at least!
That would be so fun!!!!
Elizabeth-OH YES!!! WOULD LOVE THAT! :)))
Elizabeth-I listened to the song you posted and loved it..and kept listening to the Indelible Grace songs that played after that so I am now listening to them-love this..having a great worship time. 🙂
This is an early take-away, busy weekend. But all week long one image has stuck with me. Laura said this “I can just imagine myself hanging on to Him, as my rock. I can see me behind Him, He stands in front of me as my shield, protecting me from whatever danger is there. I can hear the horn as it blows, announcing my protector and scaring off anyone who dares to harm me.”
Her vivid imagery has just honestly stuck with me—daily I have thought about how often I step out from behind His protection. When I become fearful or defensive, or too sensitive, or take things too personally…it is because I have stepped out from behind Him and I feel exposed, vulnerable, un-protected. I must continually bring these truths to mind— “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (psalm 18:2). I have many good opportunities for testing where my trust lies. This visual though, of standing behind His shield—helps me realize it is only I who foolishly steps out from behind Him—He is there, ready to protect, defend, rescue. He has proven His ability to save my life! Lord, help me to stay behind the protection of Your shield, to rely on Your strength alone—not my words or emotions. Help me to rest so confidently, peacefully, in Your arms—like that sweet baby lamb—and may only the beauty of Your love pour forth from me to others.
Elizabeth…that was such a beautiful comment..
I can imagine all it that.
Praying your prayer with you Laura
I have been thinking about the value of memorizing Scripture…especially many verses from this Psalm-the one you quoted here would be a great one to have memorized!
Elizabeth-Laura’s comment hit me too…What you and Laura posted is so important for I/us all to remember: “I must continually bring these truths to mind— “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” -for I know how easy-minute by minute I step out from behind HIs protection and back away from Him while turning to others and other things acting as if He isn’t really with me. The default condition of my heart is to act like a wild woman in worry and control when something happens so I need to continually bring these truths to mind.
This may be kind of an answer to Renee’s good question of how can I be still and trust in the good seasons? I think maybe bringing these truths to mind in good times ready us to cling to Him in the bad times? I don’t know-just a thought. 🙂 (Psalm 73 by Indelible Grace just came on as I was responding to you..wow..how beautiful He is!)
Nice…
11. Notes from Sermon by John Fesko:
Psalm 18 is the third longest in the entire psalter.
We can’t just look at Psalms as a rag-bag collection of ideas, but as a coherent flow of thought.
David reflected on the rescue of the Israelites in Exodus, and he asked God to rescue him as well.
There is a strong connection between Psalms 17 & 18. In Psalm 17 is David’s cry, and Psalm 18 is God’s answer and David’s praise. We don’t know the amount of time between the two.
When we read the Psalms, we personalize them. That is important, but there is one caveat: We do not want to take the words upon our lips apart from Christ. It is with the light of Christ that we can take the words of this psalm upon our lips. All of the Psalms are messianic in some fashion.
The first three words are important: “I love you.” In our culture we can be flippant with those words, and might just say “Luv ya.” That is different from spelling it out “I-love-you.” Note how fearlessly David says “I love you” to the Lord. How often do we say “I love you, Lord?” Why was David bursting at the seams? He talks about the Lord as his Rock and his Shield, etc. God had delivered David from his enemies.
There is water imagery in verse 4. A parachutist in training is told that, when landing in water, to release the parachute a little above the water, so he can swim away from it. Or else the chute would weigh as much as a boat anchor when it filled with water, and the cords would entangle the parachutist. It was not just quick thinking, but the intervention of the Lord that saved David.
Verse 18:6 is reflective of God’s habitation on Mt. Sinai in Exodus. Those terrifying images. Verses 13 & 14 – mention hail stones, coals of fire, scattered arrows, and lightning bolts.
Verse 16 reminds us of the Red Sea crossing in Exodus. God also gave David’s enemies into his hand – that is another thing than just being personally rescued. He was able to thrust them through. So David continued ti give praise not just among his people but also with the Gentiles. On the heels of the exodus, the Israelites ran into the Gibeonites, who had heard how powerful their God was, and the Gibeonites offered to serve them, saying “Don’t harm us.”
In verses 49 & 50, David says, “I will praise you in the midst of the nations…”
In verses 18:20ff, Fesko says he has to swallow hard, because he can’t say these things. Actually none of us can because we are sinful. Apart from Christ we can’t do this, for we are not blameless. David may say “I was blameless, therefore you redeemed me.” But this is in 2 Samuel 22 – well after Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, etc. Any righteousness was not his own, but by grace he received from Christ. David is not making a statement about his entire life at this point; it is specific of his conduct toward his enemies. The rghteous do often suffer. David is a picture of the foreshadowing of Jesus.
Paul quotes 18:49 in Romans 15: 8 & 9: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.”
The Messiah was delivered from death because of His righteousness. God raised Jesus from the waters of death. Jesus had told them, “I have a baptism with which I must be baptized” (referring to His death). Jesus referred to Jonah (another water story) saying, “So too the Son of man will be in the belly of the earth…” Jesus conquered Satan, sin, and death. When Paul quotes the two verses of Psalm 18, he has the whole psalm in mind.
We can read the Psalms in a personal way, if we read it first through Christ. We can now offer those words, “I love you, Lord.” In your own distress, look to Christ and know that he has suffered before you and for you. The creator Himself died and the earth groaned because of it.
We know that death does not have the last word, as Christ has suffered death so we do not have to suffer death eternally. Christ was raised by the Father’s glory, so shall we be raised in like manner. It is that truth that gives us hope. We too shall have the cords of death unwrapped from us. It is this victory of Christ over Satan as seen in this psalm. What a joy, what a blessing!
Deanna, your notes are always so helpful. I always listen on Monday and so to read through your notes is always a good reminder and highlights different things than I remember so it is good! Thank you. =)
Jill-I agree with you-Deanna’s notes are always so helpful. 🙂
Oh such good notes, again, Deanna. I didn’t have a chance to listen to the sermon this week and gained a lot from reading them. Thanks!
My take-a-way:
The picture of the Red Sea. To press into Him, persisting to walk with Him through the tasks He has called me to in this life. Long suffering.
The sermon – so much good imagery that was expanded on that touched me especially the overtaking our enemies equals they are captured by Christ!
Last – to remember to marvel at God’s beauty in hardship. Thinking of the waves as they were crossing the Red Sea, beautiful. The picture of the moon coming through the dark clouds, all the things that are beautiful in that picture are because of the light, so too in my life. Even when I am long suffering, walking through the Red Sea He still surrounds me with beauty. This stills my soul, encourages my heart, and reminds my brain who sits on the throne, who is in control. Perhaps He surrounds me with beauty so that I will remember to focus on Him instead of my trials.
P.S. Dee, my mind has been going crazy this week trying to figure out what your surprise could be for tomorrow! Very suspenseful! 😉
I’m glad you are in suspense! 🙂
7. Read Psalm 18:16-27 and find Christ.
In verses 16-19, I get this picture of when Jesus said “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit”, and then He died, His lifeless body hanging on the Cross, that after so much suffering, God the Father reached down and “took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy…” (I have heard that there is controversy because some in Christian circles teach that Jesus’ spirit went into hell for those 3 days, but others (and I) believe that His spirit returned to His Father). So I get this picture of after His enduring all of His suffering, the Father gently and tenderly gathers His Son to Himself.
Verses 20-27 are all true of Jesus…“The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God. All His laws are before me; I have not turned away from His decrees. I have been blameless before Him and have kept myself from sin.” Who but Jesus could claim that he has kept himself from sin?
These words also describe Jesus in verses 25-27 – “faithful, blameless, pure, humble”.
8. Read Psalm 18:28-50 aloud and find a word picture that penetrates your heart and explain why.
Okay, so I know some of you have said that you tend to shy away from the battle imagery, but I find it thrilling in this Psalm. In Exodus, Moses said of God, “The Lord is a warrior”, and I just love how David is reveling here in his strength and his victories over the enemies of God’s people – yet David is giving all the credit and all the glory to God. I find David an interesting and a complex man, because he was a man of war, yet not a shallow, coarse, hardened man. He expresses his love and devotion and admiration of God so freely. I believe God raised David up from his youth, from that very first battle against Goliath, to be trained for battle. I love this, “You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” (v 35)
“You stoop down to make me great”…David acknowledging that he can’t reach up to where God is, that God must stoop down to reach him, and David’s humility-I have become a great king, but You made me great. I could substitute the word “righteous” for “great”, and think about how God had to stoop down to make me righteous.
9. Meditate on the following passages and visuals from Psalm 18:28-50 and comment on anything that quickens you:
Psalm 18:29, with God’s help, I can scale or leap over a wall. The enemy often attacks me with things like “You are not good at anything…don’t try to do that, you can’t do it…you’ve always been a failure and you always will be…”and the goal is that I stay “stuck”, back-away from trying new things or new opportunities. Now I know this verse isn’t encouraging me to be foolish or reckless, or unrealistic, because there are some things that I am not qualified to do. I’m not very good at math – you don’t want to put me on a finance committee:)) But it encourages me to not see everything as a “wall” – an impossibility that I could never hope to accomplish. David was a trained man of battle, and the Lord helped him to accomplish what he needed to do with the gifts that he had. So with the gifts and talents that God has given me, I need to ask Him what can He help me to accomplish?
10. Take one of the above pictures and use it as a springboard for praise, confession, or petition.
The Lord lives! Lord, I know this to be true, yet there are days that I go through as if You aren’t really there, feeling despondent and sad. Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! Forgive me for those times when I give in to despair and let my hope be drained away, and I don’t make a conscious effort to start praising You. Praising You doesn’t depend on my circumstances because You are always worthy to be praised. Whether I am on the mountain-top or in the valley, You live, Lord, and You are my immovable Rock and You are God my Savior!
Susan, This is what I so love about your teachable heart: “Praising You doesn’t depend on my circumstances because You are always worthy to be praised. Whether I am on the mountain-top or in the valley, You live, Lord, and You are my immovable Rock and You are God my Savior!”
Love hearing the hope in you Susan~
11. Share your notes or comments! 🙂 on The Lord is My Fortress by John Fesko
When Fesko got to Jesus-I highlighted ALL of it..OH MY.. So…a lot stood out, but this was an ouch-but beautiful because God quickened AND convicted me! Remember when I said the kitchen I work in is like the Jerry Springer show? Well..I am no better than anyone let alone those who are on the Jerry Springer show. It is His righteousness that covers me, not mine-and I know this but am I really truly humble on the inside yet? 🙂 This was so so true and right-and I laughed-I have to laugh at myself I do quite often as a matter of fact.. because I am guilty of seeing myself as David, moses etc-oh my-but anyway:
All too often we come to the bible looking to find ourselves..We see ourselves as righteous David, Hosea, Moses, and see everyone else as sinful. Yep-that is me-sorry but it is funny that we think so much of ourselves even though we think we don’t..HA! 🙂 What we don’t realize is that we are in the scripture-we are the wicked persecutors of David, we are Hosea’s adultress wife Gomer-the Israelites who constantly rebelled against Moses-it is first and foremost Christ who is the righteous David, Hosea and Moses..if we realize that then we will we come to the scriptures and knowing what we deserve for our sin we will rejoice when we see the blessings that we have received through Christ by faith.
So good about the Jerry Springer show application! 🙂
if we realize that then we will we come to the scriptures and knowing what we deserve for our sin we will rejoice when we see the blessings that we have received through Christ by faith.
–So this is another layer God has exposed that I was blind to. To think I am the one who not only nailed Jesus to the cross-we all ‘know’ that-we even get to acknowledge that on Good Friday-but I am also David’s enemies-the ones who pursued him..the Israelites who constantly rebelled against Moses..Jesus is the righteous one-the one who raised me up with Him-I am the one who nailed him to the cross and mocked him and even was like those who cast lots for his clothing-yet He raised me to new life in Him..and in the future He will raise me up out of the miry depths and I will be like Him. Amazing love how can it be? And another song just came to mind by Andrea Crouch, “I don’t know why Jesus loves me“:
“I don’t know why Jesus loved me I don’t know why He cared I don’t know why He sacrificed His life Oh, but I’m glad, so glad He did He left His mighty throne in glory To bring to us redemption’s story Then He died but He rose again Oh, but I’m glad, so glad He did. He left His might…Oh, but I’m glad, I’m glad He did. So glad He did I’m glad He did. Where would I be if Jesus didn’t love me? Where would I be if Jesus didn’t care? Where would I be if He hadn’t sacrificed His life Oh, but I’m glad, so glad He did I don’t know why Jesus loved me (Oh I don’t know why) I don’t know why He cared (Oh I don’t know why) I don’t know why He sacrificed His life Oh, but I’m glad (so glad), so glad He did Oh, but I’m glad (so glad), so glad He did”
Just what I needed to hear today. In Christ alone! Here is a great rendition at one of the Passion concert. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNRFumI2ch0
Ernema, This is a great rendition of the Getty’s hymn and wow how worshipful-every line of that song is powerful. Thanks so much for posting!
Loved In Christ Alone by this singer!
Jill- This was pretty profound insight-loved how you weaved in His beauty with hardship in the pictures: “to remember to marvel at God’s beauty in hardship. Thinking of the waves as they were crossing the Red Sea, beautiful. The picture of the moon coming through the dark clouds, all the things that are beautiful in that picture are because of the light, so too in my life. “
11. Share your notes or comments! 🙂 on The Lord is My Fortress by John Fesko
11. Share your notes or comments! 🙂 on The Lord is My Fortress by John Fesko
I’ll try this again…
Very encouraged by the fact that David was not a righteous man at the time this Psalm was written. It gives me hope! It also “proves” to me that the Psalm was not written about David, but about Jesus. I like the water references as well in regards to baptism.
Lord, you are THE/MY STRONG tower. When I am surrounded by darkness and/or storm, you are there for me to turn to. To run to. You make yourself seen and known just like the image posted. How small I can feel but how BIG you are and how, by looking and lifting up my head, I can see your deliverance and your protection. I love you, Lord!
And thank you for my sisters in Christ in this blog! What a timely gift of friendship, sisterhood and fellowship. You are an awesome God!
Saturday takeaway: I wasn’t able to complete everything this week…..was gone much more than usual and next week could be the same. But, I am still so blessed by the ‘big picture’ of the psalms. I did spend quite awhile reading the introduction to the psalms in a commentary as well as in my NIV study Bible. That helped me see some things I didn’t know and then the assignment to see the Exodus, see Christ and see my own life was huge in helping me begin to look at psalms with a deeper, more meaningful perspective. I’m still hoping to hear the Fesko sermon. From the notes, it sounds like another great resource to help my understanding. On a side note, I heard a wonderful talk by Andy Crouch, editor of Christianity Today on Thursday evening and also got a copy of his book, Playing God. This was the evening that my son joined us and it was an all around blessing to have him there with us and our good friends from his childhood. I felt so blessed to have several of you praying for us that evening. Looking forward to Dee’s surprise!!
Sermon comments:
I appreciated the sermon by Fesko. These points are worth pondering deeper.
1. “I love you, Lord.” Saying this should characterize our relationship with God. God is love.
2. It was interesting how Fesko explained that David is a foreshadow of Jesus – God ordained David’s existence to prefigure Christ. This psalm is a shadowy picture of Jesus.
3. Often water in Scriptures is connected with death. He explained in a deeper way that I had thought of before how much of the water imagery is of death – Jonah, baptism, psalms. Jesus uses the imagery when taking of His death. These reminded me of the song “Oceans”, which is a recent powerful song by Hillsong United. The song doesn’t really talk about death, but if you think about it, life with Christ is a constant call to death to self, our agendas, our control. Life is a call out of our earthly securities into the ocean where the Lord calls us, to where our “trust is without borders” — to that “broad place” that Psalm 18:19 speaks of.
“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine
Lastly, what a powerful reminder, Fesko gave that we need to see ourselves as the enemy in this psalm and many of passages in Scripture. We are the wicked persecutors of David, constantly rebels. In Christ, we enjoy the blessings even though we are Gentiles. We will rejoice in the blessings we receive through Christ.