Psalm 18 Continued…
Psalms 18:3 I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
I grew up singing this verse from the KJV: I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. This song, was a simple chorus to me that didn’t really have a deeper meaning until I began to dwell on the words.
The idea here is that David would constantly call upon the Lord. Whenever he was in trouble or was facing some dangerous situation he would go to the Lord in prayer, and appeal for His help. His past experiences having to do with the Lord had been so encouraging that he was led to put his confidence in Him in all that might happen in the future. He had learned to flee to Him in danger, and he had never put his trust in Him in vain. The idea is, that a proper view of God’s dealings with us in the past should lead us to feel that we may put confidence in Him in the future.
David will call upon the Lord in prayer, for fresh mercies, and discoveries of his grace and favor. This calling is not going to be something that takes place in the future when he is in danger, though he will appeal to Him anytime he is threatened, but the idea here is a continuing need by David for the Lord’s presence with him, which will inspire him to pray continually. (comp. Psalm 5:10, 12; Psalm 6:8-10; Psalm 10:15, 16, etc.).
“Who is worthy of praise”. It is the Lord who is worthy to be praised, for His perfect character, the works of His hands, His divine goodness, and more especially for his covenant of grace and blessings in Christ. I will praise Him in prayer, or with a hymn; in him I will place my confidence. The chief thought of this line has also been expressed by the Apostle Paul, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6). God is a being who is in every way worthy of praise. I will call upon Him, I will praise Him, and He will save me from my enemies, for no one can obtain their request from God if they do not include His glory with their petition.
“And I am saved from my enemies.” David’s confidence in God’s readiness and ability to save him from his enemies was founded upon his past experiences, where the Lord saved him from death at the hand of Saul and his own son Jonathan. He had had such ample experience of his protection that he could confide in him as One who would deliver him from all his foes.
PRAY
Thank you for saving me and hearing me each and every time I call on You!