Psalm 18 Continued…
The Lord is my rock…
The thought expressed by David here as well as in other parts of this verse is that he was beholden entirely to God for his safety. To him, He was like a rock, a tower, a shield, etc., that is, he had obtained from God the protection which a rock, a tower, a citadel, a shield provided for those who depended on them. The word “rock” as it is used here has reference to the fact that in times of danger an elevated rock would be sought as a place of safety, or that men would flee to it to escape from their enemies. Such rocks abound in Palestine; and by the fact that they are elevated and difficult of access, or by the fact that those who fled to them could find shelter behind their projecting crags, or by the fact that they could find security in their deep and dark caverns, they became places of refuge in times of danger; and protection was often found there when it could not be found in the plains below. The “high ground” is the preferred position in a battle.
And my fortress…
The Lord is my fortress to which I flee for refuge, as the Israelites did to their rocks and strong holds; and as David himself did when banished by Saul, and forced to conceal himself in rocks and caverns, and to retreat for safety to steep hills and precipices rendered by nature almost inaccessible. The word fortress means a place of defense, a place strengthened so that an enemy could not approach it, or where one would be safe. Such fortresses were often constructed on the rocks or on hills, where those who fled there would be especially safe.
And my deliverer…
The Lord is a living Protector, delivering or rescuing me from my enemies, not a mere inanimate defensive contrivance. He made the way clear for me to escape, delivering me out of all afflictions, and from all temptations, and out of the hands of all enemies; from a body of sin and death, and, at last, from the wrath to come. This refers to his preservation in straits and difficulties.
My God…
Above all, the Lord is his God, the ever-reliable, the ever-dependable, the impregnable, the One in Whom is the place of total safety. Nothing can harm us when we are hidden in God, for when we are with Him all that would affect us must come through Him. It may seem terrible, but it is under His control, and can only enter with His permission.
My strength…
The Hebrew is “My rock,” although the Hebrew word (tsur) is different from that which is used at the beginning of the verse. Both words denote that God was a refuge or protection, like a rock (a firm, immovable rock) or cliff is to one in danger, though the exact difference between the words may not be obvious.
My shield…
The word used here is the same which occurs in Psalm 3:3, where it is translated “shield.” The shield was a well-known part of ancient armor, useful in the ancient modes of warfare, when swords, and spears, and arrows were employed, but since they would provide no defense against a bullet or artillery shell they are no longer used, except in specialized applications such as riot control. They were usually made of tough and thick hides, fastened to a rim, and attached to the left arm so that they could be readily thrown before the body when attacked, or so that, as they were usually held, the vital parts of the body would be protected.
The horn of My salvation…
This was a metaphor taken either from horned beasts, or as some say, from the ancient custom of wearing horns of iron upon their helmet, for a crest or military ornament; the raised horn was a sign of victory, and the horn beaten down a sign of being overcome. The “horn” is the means of their defense for many animals. Their strength lies in the horn. The horn is the means of attack and defense for some of the strongest animals; with the horns they push, scatter and destroy their enemies—they are an emblem of power and strength. Hence, the word is used here, as elsewhere, to represent that to which we owe our protection and defense when we are in danger; and the idea here is, that God was to the psalmist what the horn is to animals, the means of his defense.
And my stronghold…
The Lord is to me what a high tower is to one who is in danger. In Proverbs 18:10 we read, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and are safe.” The word used here also occurs in Psalm 9:9, where it is rendered “refuge.” Such towers were erected on mountains, on rocks, or on the walls of a city, and were regarded as safe places mainly because they were inaccessible. The high tower was not only a place of defense, but a place from which one could overlook the country around it, and always be able to discover danger before it could get near.
PRAY
Heavenly Father, thank you for being my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my strength, my salvation, my stronghold!