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Commentary on Psalms 18 verses 1–19
The title gives us the occasion of penning this psalm; we had it before (Sa2 22:1), only here we are told that the psalm was delivered to the chief musician, or precentor, in the temple-songs. Note, The private compositions of good men, designed by them for their own use, may be serviceable to the public, that others may not only borrow light from their candle, but heat from their fire. Examples sometimes teach better than rules. And David is here called the servant of the Lord, as Moses was, not only as every good man is God's servant, but because, with his sceptre, with his sword, and with his pen, he greatly promoted the interests of God's kingdom in Israel. It was more his honour that he was a servant of the Lord than that he was king of a great kingdom; and so he himself accounted it (Psa 116:16): O Lord! truly I am thy servant. In these verses,
I. He triumphs in God and his relation to him. The first words of the psalm, I will love thee, O Lord! my strength, are here prefixed as the scope and contents of the whole. Love to God is the first and great commandment of the law, because it is the principle of all our acceptable praise and obedience; and this use we should make of all the mercies God bestows upon us, our hearts should thereby be enlarged in love to him. This he requires and will accept; and we are very ungrateful if we grudge him so poor a return. An interest in the person loved is the lover's delight; this string therefore he touches, and on this he harps with much pleasure (Psa 18:2): "The Lord Jehovah is my God; and then he is my rock, my fortress, all that I need and can desire in my present distress." For there is that in God which is suited to all the exigencies and occasions of his people that trust in him. "He is my rock, and strength, and fortress;" that is, 1. "I have found him so in the greatest dangers and difficulties." 2. "I have chosen him to be so, disclaiming all others, and depending upon him alone to protect me." Those that truly love God may thus triumph in him as theirs, and may with confidence call upon him, Psa 18:3. This further use we should make of our deliverances, we must not only love God the better, but love prayer the better - call upon him as long as we live, especially in time of trouble, with an assurance that so we shall be saved; for thus it is written, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, Act 2:21.
II. He sets himself to magnify the deliverances God had wrought for him, that he might be the more affected in his returns of praise. It is good for us to observe all the circumstances of a mercy, which magnify the power of God and his goodness to us in it.
1.The more imminent and threatening the danger was out of which we were delivered the greater is the mercy of the deliverance. David now remembered how the forces of his enemies poured in upon him, which he calls the floods of Belial, shoals of the children of Belial, likely to overpower him with numbers. They surrounded him, compassed him about; they surprised him, and by that means were very near seizing him; their snares prevented him, and, when without were fightings, within were fears and sorrows, Psa 18:4, Psa 18:5. His spirit was overwhelmed, and he looked upon himself as a lost man; see Psa 116:3.
2.The more earnest we have been with God for deliverance, and the more direct answer it is to our prayers, the more we are obliged to be thankful. David's deliverances were so, Psa 18:6. David was found a praying man, and God was found a prayer-hearing God. If we pray as he did, we shall speed as he did. Though distress drive us to prayer, God will not therefore be deaf to us; nay, being a God of pity, he will be the more ready to succour us.
3.The more wonderful God's appearances are in any deliverance the greater it is: such were the deliverances wrought for David, in which God's manifestation of his presence and glorious attributes is most magnificently described, Psa 18:7, etc. Little appeared of man, but much of God, in these deliverances. (1.) He appeared a God of almighty power; for he made the earth shake and tremble, and moved even the foundations of the hills (Psa 18:7), as of old at Mount Sinai. When the men of the earth were struck with fear, then the earth might be said to tremble; when the great men of the earth were put into confusion, then the hills moved. (2.) He showed his anger and displeasure against the enemies and persecutors of his people: He was wroth, Psa 18:7. His wrath smoked, it burned, it was fire, it was devouring fire (Psa 18:8), and coals were kindled by it. Those that by their own sins make themselves as coals (that is, fuel) to this fire will be consumed by it. He that ordains his arrows against the persecutors sends them forth when he pleases, and they are sure to hit the mark and do execution; for those arrows are lightnings, Psa 18:14. (3.) He showed his readiness to plead his people's cause and work deliverance for them; for he rode upon a cherub and did fly, for the maintaining of right and the relieving of his distressed servants, Psa 18:10. No opposition, no obstruction, can be given to him who rides upon the wings of the wind, who rides on the heavens, for the help of his people, and, in his excellency, on the skies. (4.) He showed his condescension, in taking cognizance of David's case: He bowed the heavens and came down (Psa 18:9), did not send an angel, but came himself, as one afflicted in the afflictions of his people. (5.) He wrapped himself in darkness, and yet commanded light to shine out of darkness for his people, Isa 45:15. He is a God that hideth himself; for he made darkness his pavilion, Psa 18:11. his glory is invisible, his counsels are unsearchable, and his proceedings unaccountable, and so, as to us, clouds and darkness are round about him; we know not the way that he takes, even when he is coming towards us in ways of mercy; but, when his designs are secret, they are kind; for, though he hide himself, he is the God of Israel, the Saviour. And, at his brightness, the thick clouds pass (Psa 18:12), comfort returns, the face of affairs is changed, and that which was gloomy and threatening becomes serene and pleasant.
4.The greater the difficulties are that lie in the way of deliverance the more glorious the deliverance is. For the rescuing of David, the waters were to be divided till the very channels were seen; the earth was to be cloven till the very foundations of it were discovered, Psa 18:15. There were waters deep and many, waters out of which he was to be drawn (Psa 18:16), as Moses, who had his name from being drawn out of the water literally, as David was figuratively. His enemies were strong, and they hated him; had he been left to himself, they would have been too strong for him, Psa 18:17. And they were too quick for him; for they prevented him in the day of his calamity, Psa 18:18. But, in the midst of his troubles, the Lord was his stay, so that he did not sink. Note, God will not only deliver his people out of their troubles in due time, but he will sustain them and bear them up under their troubles in the mean time.
5.That which especially magnified the deliverance was that his comfort was the fruit of it and God's favour was the root and fountain of it. (1.) It was an introduction to his preferment, Psa 18:19. "He brought me forth also out of my straits into a large place, where I had room, not only to turn, but to thrive in." (2.) It was a token of God's favour to him, and that made it doubly sweet: "He delivered me because he delighted in me, not for my merit, but for his own grace and good-will." Compare this with Sa2 15:26, If he thus say, I have no delight in thee, here I am. We owe our salvation, that great deliverance, to the delight God had in the Son of David, in whom he has declared himself to be well pleased.
In singing this we must triumph in God, and trust in him: and we may apply it to Christ the Son of David. The sorrows of death surrounded him; in his distress he prayed (Heb 5:7); God made the earth to shake and tremble, and the rocks to cleave, and brought him out, in his resurrection, into a large place, because he delighted in him and in his undertaking.
“He will deliver me because he has pleasure in me”; indeed, it was not that I had repented, or had been convicted concerning my sin or had a prophet sent to me, but it was because he took pleasure to deliver me. And I know and I am absolutely persuaded that in the day of his judgment of the righteous no mention will be made of my sin and the crimes that I committed in the day of my misery.
"And has brought Me forth into a broad place" [Psalm 18:19]. And since I was enduring the straits of the flesh, He brought Me forth into the spiritual breadth of faith. "He has delivered Me, because He desired Me." Before that I desired Him, He delivered Me from My most powerful enemies (who were envious of Me when I once desired Him), and from them that hated Me, because I do desire Him.
Now, if someone does not wish, whether like the sinful woman to embrace the feet of Christ [Luke 7:38], or like the prodigal son to run back to Him with burning repentance [Luke 15:11ff], or like the woman with a hemorrhage and bowed with infirmity [Luke 8:43 and 13:11] even to approach Him, why does he then make excuses for his sins by saying, “Those whom He foreknew, them also“-and them alone!-“He called“?
One may perhaps reasonably reply to the person so disposed that “God, Who is before eternity and Who knows all things before creating them, also knew you beforehand, knew that you would not obey Him when He called, that you would not believe in His promises and in His words, yet still, even while knowing this, He “bowed the heavens and came down” (Psalm 18:19) and became man, and for your sake has come to the place where you lie prone. Indeed, visiting you many times every day, sometimes in His own Person and sometimes as well through His servants, He exhorts you to get up from the calamity in which you lie and to follow Him Who ascends to the Kingdom of Heaven and enter it together with Him. But you, you still refuse to do it. - "Second Ethical Discourse"
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SUMMARY
Psalms 18:19 stands as a powerful testament to divine intervention and profound intimacy, capturing King David's heartfelt declaration of God's mighty rescue. From the suffocating grip of distress, God sovereignly brought David into a realm of expansive freedom and security. This remarkable deliverance is not rooted in human merit or achievement, but flows solely from God's unreserved and joyful delight in His servant, revealing the foundational truth that His saving acts are an outflow of His character—a boundless, unmerited love for His chosen people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 18:19 employs several potent literary devices that amplify its message. The phrase "large place" is a powerful Metaphor for freedom, security, and prosperity, contrasting implicitly with the "narrow places" of distress and danger David experienced. This spatial imagery effectively conveys a spiritual and existential transformation from confinement to liberation. The description of God "delighting" in David is an example of Anthropomorphism, attributing human emotions and inclinations (pleasure, affection) to God. This device makes the divine character more relatable and emphasizes the personal, relational nature of God's interaction with humanity, highlighting His intimate involvement rather than mere transactional obligation. The entire psalm, including this verse, also utilizes Hyperbole in its grand descriptions of God's cosmic intervention, underscoring the magnificent power and majesty of the Deliverer and the overwhelming nature of the threats David faced.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 18:19 powerfully articulates the sovereign grace of God, emphasizing that His saving acts are rooted in His character and unmerited favor rather than human performance. This truth resonates throughout Scripture, affirming that God's love and delight are the wellspring of His covenant faithfulness and redemptive purposes. David's experience serves as a paradigm for all who trust in God, demonstrating that even in the direst circumstances, God's personal affection for His people motivates His powerful intervention, bringing them from bondage to freedom, from distress to security. This profound truth underpins the entire narrative of salvation, from the election of Israel to the redemption offered in Christ, revealing a God who delights in rescuing and relating to His beloved creation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 18:19 offers profound comfort and encouragement for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our security and hope are not founded on our own strength or righteousness, but on the unwavering character of God—His power to deliver and His deep, unmerited delight in us. In a world often characterized by anxiety, confinement, and overwhelming challenges, this verse invites us to trust that God is capable of bringing us into a "large place" of spiritual, emotional, and even physical freedom. This deliverance may manifest as peace in the midst of turmoil, clarity in confusion, or actual rescue from oppressive circumstances. Knowing that God "delights" in us transforms our understanding of His care from obligation to affectionate pleasure, fostering a deep sense of security and belonging in His presence. It calls us to rest in His love, knowing that His actions on our behalf flow from His very nature, prompting us to live in grateful response to such boundless affection and to extend that same grace to others.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "large place" mean in a practical sense for believers today?
Answer: In a practical sense for believers today, the "large place" (מֶרְחָב, merchav) signifies a state of spiritual and emotional freedom, security, and peace, even if physical circumstances remain challenging. It represents liberation from the "narrow places" of anxiety, fear, oppression, or despair. This can manifest as finding inner peace amidst external chaos, experiencing emotional healing from past wounds, gaining clarity and purpose in life, or being freed from the bondage of sin and destructive patterns. It speaks to the spaciousness of God's grace and the expansive life found in communion with Him, where one is no longer hemmed in by limitations but can "walk about in a wide place" (Psalms 119:45). It is the assurance of God's provision and presence, creating room for growth, joy, and purpose, regardless of external pressures.
How can I know that God delights in me, just as He delighted in David?
Answer: You can know that God delights in you through the testimony of Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit. While David was a chosen king, the New Testament reveals that through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are adopted as children of God (John 1:12). As His children, God takes delight in us, just as a loving parent delights in their child. Ephesians 1:4-6 states that God "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world... in love He predestined us for adoption... according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved." This highlights God's sovereign choice and pleasure in us, rooted in His grace and our union with Christ, His beloved Son. His delight is not earned but freely given through Christ, making every believer an object of His profound affection and pleasure.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 18:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David's deliverance from enemies and his being brought into a "large place" foreshadows Christ's triumph over sin, death, and the grave, and His ultimate exaltation. Just as God delighted in David, the Father's infinite delight in His Son, Jesus, is explicitly declared at His baptism and transfiguration (Matthew 3:17 and Matthew 17:5). It was out of this boundless delight in the Son, and through the Son, His delight in humanity, that God orchestrated the greatest deliverance. Christ, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, brought humanity out of the "narrow place" of sin's bondage, spiritual death, and eternal condemnation into the "large place" of abundant life, freedom, and reconciliation with God (John 10:10 and Colossians 1:13-14). Believers, united with Christ by faith, now share in this divine delight and the spaciousness of His salvation, experiencing the freedom of forgiveness, the peace that surpasses understanding, and the expansive inheritance of God's children (Romans 8:1-2 and Ephesians 1:3-14). He is the ultimate "large place" in whom we find our true dwelling and delight.