The Christian faith is a singing faith. Knowing that I love to sing hymns, a friend gave me the devotional book 101 Hymn Stories: The Inspiring True Stories Behind 101 Favorite Hymns so I could learn the history of great songs like “Amazing Grace,” “A Mighty Fortress,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” and “It Is Well with My Soul.” Already rich in biblical truth, these hymns have stories behind them that have caused me to appreciate their message even more.
Psalm 18 is a thanksgiving song. The heading “A psalm of David. . . . He sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul,” gives us the story behind this song of deliverance (1 Samuel 18:1-31:13; 2 Samuel 8:1-14).
David tells of the danger he was in, and how the Lord came to his rescue (Psalm 18:4-5,7-29). Then he reveals that there’s sovereign power waiting to be unleashed when we pray and call on God for help! (Psalm 18:3,6).
David used various metaphors to describe all the Lord was and had been to him: a rock, a fortress, and a shield. “The LORD is my rock . . . my God is my rock, in whom I find protection” is the theme of David’s praise (Psalm 18:2). A rock is the picture of strength and stability (Psalm 18:2,31,46). A fortress pictures a high place of refuge and security to which one might flee for safety (Psalm 18:2). And a shield is a weapon of defense and protection (Psalm 18:2,30,35).
Because he called upon the Lord, David found security, stability, safety, strength, and victory in Him (Psalm 18:3,6,30-36). Out of gratitude, David sang, “Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted!” (Psalm 18:46).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ruth 4:1-22
More:
Read Psalm 28:1-9 for a similar prayer for help, where David appeals to God as his rock, fortress, and shield.
Next:
What does it mean for God to be your rock, fortress, and shield? How has He met you in a personal way?
