PSALM 18

1 To the Chief Musician. [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said: I will love You, 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 shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

PSALM 18:1-3, NKJV

REMEMBERED PRAISE

Many of the Psalms were written by David over key moments in his life. We get a glimpse into his heart as he sings and prays while on the run from his enemies. We get a picture of how he prays about those who slander him and those who persecute him. We get a sense of his trust in the Lord even above the kind counsel of friends who want “the best” for him but just can’t seem to see what that is. We even read along with David’s cry for deliverance from his enemies.

We go through all those ups and downs of life too. What do we do though when we see the Lord deliver us from our desperate situations? What happens when that day of deliverance comes? Do we simply let out a few small words of thanks? Do we just give credit to the Lord in our acceptance speech at an award ceremony? Such responses just don’t seem fitting for how the Lord has delivered us!

When deliverance comes in David’s life, he pens a 50 verse Psalm. This Psalm is overflowing with praise, and a recounting God’s goodness. God is worthy of praise. He is worthy of our praise, especially when we see His word fulfilled with our own eyes! David could not be silent, he had to praise the Lord.

As I often remind my children, who make weird noises at inopportune times, there is a time and a place for everything. I long for the day when our prayer meetings are filled with more praise than problems as we recount the goodness to the Lord in answered prayers. It would be silly to think that every prayer meeting should be filled with this type of praise all the time. For most of David’s life, it hadn’t happened yet; he was still in trouble. When he finally saw his deliverance though, he didn’t hold back.

PRAYER

Father, You are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise! I confess that many times I come to you carrying heavy burdens of intercession, doubt, and perhaps guilt. I come needing rescue and confessing my dependence on you. I am grateful that you hear my prayers. I am grateful that through my life I have seen many answered prayers. You know my personality, too often I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop. That shouldn’t hold back my praise! That shouldn’t keep me from celebrating your goodness. Thank you Lord for all of your blessings! Help me to be ever mindful of our goodness and deliverance and never slack in my praise, for you are worthy! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.