Mar 21
28
New Testament Reading: Luke 24:36-49
“As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you!’ But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.’” (Luke 24:36–49, ESV)
Old Testament Reading: Psalm 18
“TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID, THE SERVANT OF THE LORD, WHO ADDRESSED THE WORDS OF THIS SONG TO THE LORD ON THE DAY WHEN THE LORD DELIVERED HIM FROM THE HAND OF ALL HIS ENEMIES, AND FROM THE HAND OF SAUL. HE SAID: I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?— the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet. For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed. They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them. I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets. You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses. The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation— the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence. For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.” (Psalm 18, ESV)
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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.
Introduction
One of my objectives in this brief sermon series is to show you how to read the Psalms like a Christian.
A Christian believes that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, or the Anointed One, or the Christ. No matter which term we choose — Messiah, Anointed One, or Christ — we are saying the same thing. We believe that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the promised King who has come in the line of David. He is the Savior.
Of course, Jesus is more than our King. He is also our Prophet and our Priest. The one man, Jesus, fulfilled all three of these offices. As our great Prophet, he has revealed the will of God for our salvation. As our great High Priest, he has reconciled us to God by offering himself up as a sacrifice for our sins, and he makes continual intercession for us. And as our great King, he subdues us to Himself, he rules and defends us, and he restrains and conquers all his and our enemies. So the one Christ has fulfilled all three offices. He is the Prophet, Priest, and King of God’s people. He is the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ. He is the Savior.
Now, this idea that God would send a Savior is very old. In fact, it is nearly as old as sin itself. Soon after Adam fell into sin, God graciously announced that a Savior would be provided. But the good news that was delivered to Adam and Eve in those days was vague, or mysterious. The LORD spoke to the serpent who brought the temptation to Eve, and through her, to Adam, saying, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15, ESV). This was good news indeed. Adam and Eve would not be immediately judged. The human race would continue on. And in due time a Champion would arise who would crush the head of the serpent, who is Satan. This Champion would arise from the seed of the woman. In other words, he would be human. The serpent would do him harm — the serpent would “bruise his heel” — but this seed of the woman would have the victory in the end. Again, this is good news. But it was vague. There was much mystery. Who would this Savior be? When would he come? What would he be like? The promise of the gospel was clear. It was clear enough for God’s people in those days to put their trust in it. But it was also mysterious.
This promise of the gospel which was announced shortly after sin entered the world would grow in clarity with the passing of time and with the establishment of each new covenant that God transacted with his people. The promise of the gospel grew in clarity in the days of Noah. It grew in clarity in the days of Abraham and Moses. And it grew in clarity yet again in the days of King David. As you know, a covenant was transacted with David which clearly communicated that through him — that is to say, in his line of descendants — the kingdom of God would be established forever and ever. In the line of David, a King would arise who would win the victory for God and his people and establish an everlasting kingdom, one that would never come to an end.
David was anointed as king of Israel, but he was not the Anointed One. David’s son Solomon was anointed as king of Israel after him. His kingdom was indeed powerful and glorious. He built God’s temple. The nations took notice. But he was not the Anointed One. And Rehoboam took the throne after Solomon. He was not the Anointed One either.
As Christians, when we say that we have turned from our sins and have placed our faith in Jesus the Christ we are saying, among other things, we believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Anointed One. He is the Champion that was promised to Eve. He is the priest that was promised to Abraham. He is the Prophet promised through Moses. And he is the King promised to David. He is the Anointed One of God, the Messiah.
When we read the Old Testament scriptures, we must read them as Christians. We must agree with what Jesus taught his disciples — the Old Testament is about him! This is what said to his two disciples after his resurrection as he walked with them on the road to the town called Emmaus. Luke 24:27 says, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” The scriptures that are referred to here are the Old Testament scriptures. The New Testament had not yet been written. So Jesus “interpreted to them in all the [Old Testament] Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
And this includes the Psalms. Later that same night Jesus appeared to his disciples who were assembled in Jerusalem he said to them, “‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, ‘thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem’” (Luke 24:44–47, ESV).
So there is a Christian way to understand the Old Testament scriptures. The Christian way is to see Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfillment of the law, the prophets, and the Psalms. The Old Testament scriptures are about him. They contain promises, prophecies, types, and shadows, all of which are fulfilled in the person and work of Christ, and in his eternal kingdom. Jesus taught this. And the New Testament scriptures, which were written by his Apostles, or under their supervision, teach this. The law, the prophets, and the Psalms are about Jesus the Christ. They find their fulfillment in him.
The Psalms are about Jesus. Or to put it another way, the Psalms are about King David and the establishment of the kingdom of Israel.
Now you say, wait a minute! Those are two different things! How can you in one breath say “the Psalms are about Jesus” and in the next breath, “the Palms are about King David.” Which is it? You cannot have it both ways!
Well, in fact, both statements are true. The Psalms are about Jesus, and they are about King David. This is so because Jesus is the fulfillment of David, and Christ’s eternal kingdom is the fulfillment of the kingdom of Israel. These two things: David and his earthly kingdom, and Christ and his heavenly kingdom are one. They are organically related to one other in the way that an acorn is related to an oak tree. If I hold up a book and say, this book is about acorns, but you find that it ends up being about oak trees, I have not lied to you. For the end of an acorn is an oak tree. In fact, you cannot thoroughly talk about acorns without talking about oak trees, can you? And in the same way, when I say the Psalms are about David and his kingdom, and then I say, the Psalms are about Christ and his kingdom, I have not lied — I have not contradicted myself — for the end of the covenant that God transacted with King David is Christ and his eternal kingdom. David is the seed; Christ is the tree. David is the prototype; Christ is the real deal. In David we find the promise; in Christ, we find the fulfillment.
So when we read the Psalms we must read them on these two levels. We must read them on the level of promise and fulfillment, type and anti-type, shadow and substance. This is what Christ taught, and this is what the New Testament so clearly teaches. These Psalms were written about David and things that he experienced as the anointed King of Israel. But his person and his works foreshadowed the person and work of his greater son, Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ.
We must learn to read the Old Testament, the Psalms included, as Christians. But you would be surprised at how many in our day who profess faith in Christ do not. In fact, many who profess faith in Christ read the Old Testament (and preach the Old Testament) in much the same way that the unbelieving Jews in Jesus’ day read them as if they are merely about an earthly king and an earthly kingdom. No, the Old Testament is fulfilled in Jesus the Christ and in his heavenly kingdom, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him” (2 Corinthians 1:20, ESV).
More can be said, but for the sake of time let us move on to Psalm 18. This is a relatively long Psalm, isn’t it? I will not be able to touch on every phrase as I typically do. Instead, I will highlight its sections and draw your attention to its main points, showing what they meant to David, how they were fulfilled in Christ, and how they apply to you and me today.
This Psalm was written by King David. That is what the title says. “TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID, THE SERVANT OF THE LORD…” Like Moses the prophet and Aaron the priest, David was the LORD’s servant. He was the servant King. This is true on a deeper level of Christ, our great Prophet, Priest, and King. Christ is God’s ultimate servant king.
And the title also reveals the circumstance which prompted David to write this Psalm. It continues, “ WHO ADDRESSED THE WORDS OF THIS SONG TO THE LORD ON THE DAY WHEN THE LORD DELIVERED HIM FROM THE HAND OF ALL HIS ENEMIES, AND FROM THE HAND OF SAUL”. So this Psalm is about the deliverance of God’s warrior servant king from trouble.
The historical context of this Psalm is well known. For this same Psalm is found almost word for word in 2 Samuel 22. David spoke these words to the LORD after he had been delivered from all his enemies, and his kingdom was made secure. In the second half of 1 Samuel, and in 2 Samuel, we learn all about David’s enemies. 2 Samuel begins with the announcement that David’s first enemy, Saul, had died. But it goes on to describe the many conflicts that David endured as he took the throne and established his reign. David’s own son, Absalom, rebelled against him and was put down. The Philistines were a constant problem for him. But David did eventually conquer these enemies. And when he did, he sang this Psalm to the LORD.
Please make this connection before we move on. King David took possession of his kingdom through conflict and struggle. And King Jesus took possession of his kingdom through conflict and struggle. Both were required to defeat their enemies to make their kingdom secure. David defeated earthly enemies — Saul, Absalam, and the Philistines, to name a few. But Christ defeated much stronger enemies — Satan, sin, and death. This he did, not only for the Jews but for Gentiles also. And then he sat down upon his heavenly throne. This Psalm — Psalm 18 –is about the victory which God gave to David, but it is more about the victory that Jesus has won.
We know that this Psalm is about the Christ, for this is what Paul the Apostle teaches when he quotes Psalm 18:49 in Romans 15:8-10, saying, “For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, ‘Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name’” (Romans 15:8–10, ESV). Notice that Paul refers to Christ as “a servant” echoing the title of Psalm 18. And then he quotes verse 49 of Psalm 18, teaching that it was fulfilled, not by David ultimately, but by Jesus Christ. Yes, David would “praise [God] among the Gentiles, and sing to [his] name”. But when Paul, as one who believed that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, considered Psalm 18 he knew that it was ultimately about Jesus. Jesus is God’s servant King. Jesus is the king who would have the nations as his inheritance.
So as Christians we must confess that this Psalm is not merely about David, nor is it merely about the nation of Israel. No, this Psalm is about the establishment of God’s kingdom through conflict, rescue, and victory, first as experienced by David, and then as experienced by Jesus Christ, David’s greater son. That is the Christian interpretation. That is the interpretation that the New Testament provides.
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An Expression Of Praise (vs. 1-3)
This Psalm begins with an expression of praise. David says, “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:1–3, ESV)
There is energy to this Psalm, isn’t there. David is clearly excited about what the LORD has done for him. He is eager to give him praise.
You have hearts it said that David was a man after God’s own heart. It would be a mistake to think that he was perfect. Far from it. But he did love the LORD sincerely. He did trust the LORD deeply. His longing was to see the LORD’s purposes accomplished in and through him. In this sense, he was a man after God’s own heart. He viewed himself as a servant of the LORD, and he did run to the LORD for strength.
“I love you, O LORD”, the Psalm begins. What a marvelous and warm opening to this Psalm. “I love you, O LORD, my strength.” The LORD was King David’s strength. He did not trust ultimately in own strength, in chariots or armies, but in the LORD. And then David heaps up metaphors to describe what God is to him: The LORD is his rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, the horn of his salvation, and stronghold. You can tell that David was a king based upon the metaphors he chose. The point is this, David’s trust was not in earthly things — earthly fortresses, etc. — but in the LORD.
This was true for David. Indeed, he did entrust himself to the LORD. But it was so much more true of Christ. “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly [namely God]. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:22–24, ESV).
These words spoken by David were true. He did love the LORD sincerely. He did look to God as his rock and fortress. But if we consider these words on the lips of Jesus, David’s greater Son, they take on a whole new depth of meaning, don’t they. Jesus’ love for the Father was most pure. His trust in the Father was most sincere. He trusted the Father to keep him, not merely from death, but even through death. He went to cross where he said, “‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46, ESV)
What about you? Do you share David’s love for the LORD? Do you trust the LORD to keep you and to deliver you from all of his and our enemies? Are you certain that he will deliver you even from death? Is the LORD your rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, the horn of your salvation, and stronghold? Or is your trust in something else? Friends, no one else will be able to deliver you from death. Only the LORD.
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A Description Of The Deliverance (vs. 4-19)
In fact, this is the very thing which threatened David — death! In verses 4-19 God’s deliverance is described, and it was nothing short of deliverance from death. In verse 4 David says, “The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me” (Psalm 18:4–5, ESV).
It is impossible to know for certain what experience David is referring to here, for he had many near-death experiences. He was threatened often by Saul and his men. He was very vulnerable when he fled to Achish the King of Gath for refuge. And he was nearly killed by his own son, Absalom, who led a rebellion against him. In each of these instances, David must have felt as if the “cords of death” and “Sheol” were entangling him and tightening their grip.
It is clear to us what the “cords” and “snares of death” are. But what are the “cords of Sheol”. Sheol is simply another way to speak of death, for Sheol is the place where the souls of the dead dwell. Prior to the death and resurrection of Christ, the wicked were tormented in Sheol, and the righteous were comforted there. When Christ rose from the dead he led the souls of the righteous out of Sheol (or Abraham’s bosom) and into heaven. Now after the resurrection of Christ from the dead, the souls of the righteous do go immediately into heaven where they enjoy the blessed presence of God, but the souls of the wicked still suffer torment in Sheol where they await the resurrection and final judgment. So David, being a righteous man living before the resurrection of Christ, described his near-death experience with these words: “The cords of death encompassed me”, and again, “the cords of Sheol entangled me.”
As I said, it is difficult to know for sure what experience David had in mind when he said, “the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me”. But the most fitting experience would be the one where David and his men hid from Saul and his men in the cave in the wilderness of Engedi. David was trapped. He was outnumbered. And as he went down into that dark cave it must have felt as if he and his men were descending into Sheol, metaphorically speaking. They probably wondered if they would ever see the light of day again. They wondered if that cave would be the grave for their bodies and if their souls would depart from there to Sheol. But David called upon the LORD. The LORD heard his voice from his heavenly abode, and he delivered him from death.
In verses 7-19 David describes the deliverance saying, “Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:7–19, ESV)
The imagery that David uses here should send our minds in two directions. First, our minds should go backward from David’s time in the history of redemption to days of Moses, to the Exodus event (the ten plagues, and the parting of the sea), to the giving of the law on Sinai, and to the eventual conquest of Cannan, wherein Israel was brought out into a broad place. You will need to read these verses again on your own and compare the imagery used by David here to the Exodus event. It is no wonder that he used this imagery. He saw the deliverance that the LORD has accomplished for him in light of the deliverance that God had accomplished for Israel when he brought them out of Egypt. Just as God rescued Israel from death, so too God rescued David from death.
Secondly, our minds should jump forward from David’s time in the history of redemption to the days of Christ, to his crucifixion, his burial, and his resurrection. Think of how the earth shook and how the land was covered in darkness when Christ was crucified. The imagery that David uses to describe his own deliverance is to remind us of God’s deliverance of Israel, and it foreshadows the deliverance that God would accomplish for Christ.
But here is the difference between the deliverance that God worked for David, and the deliverance that God worked for Christ. God kept David from death, but God raised Jesus from the dead. God kept David from Sheol, but God rescued Jesus out of Sheol. David was made victorious in life, whereas Jesus won the victory over death and Sheol itself. Indeed, Jesus is “the first and the last, and the living one. [he] died, and behold [he is] alive forevermore, and [he has] the keys of Death and Hades.” And this reason we are to “fear not”(see Revelation 1:17–18).
To put it differently, if you imagine Jesus in his resurrection saying, “The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears” (Psalm 18:4–6, ESV), these words take on a whole new level of meaning. Who knows, it is possible that Jesus did quote Psalm 18 when he met with his disciples on the Emmaus road, and with others later that night back in Jerusalem. These words were true on David’s lips. But where do you imagine him being when he says them? In trouble, but alive on earth. Perhaps trapped in a dark cave. But when you imagine these same words on Jesus’ lips, where do you imagine him being. Dead. His body in the grave and his soul in Sheol. Jesus was delivered, not from death, but through death, for he did taste death for us (see Hebrews 2:9). Indeed, God “sent from on high, he took [Christ]; he drew [him] out of many waters. He rescued [him] from [his] strong enemy and from those who hated [him]… the LORD was [his] support. He brought [him] out into a broad place; he rescued [him], because he delighted in [him]” (Psalm 18:16–19, ESV).
Verses 3 – 19 tell of the deliverance that God accomplished for David, but really this is about the deliverance that God accomplished for Christ. God did not merely deliver Jesus from death. No, “God raised him from the dead” (see Acts 13:30).
Friends, do you believe this? And if you believe this, do you believe it truly and sincerely so that it brings you great comfort, hope, and confidence in life and in death. I have heard it said that the job of the Pastor is to prepare the members of his church to die well. That is a rather morbid perspective on pastoral ministry, but I think it is true. There is more to it, of course. As one of your pastors, I do also want to see you live well. But I suppose the two things are related aren’t they — living well and dying well? But one thing I know for sure, you will not die well if you are not certain that Jesus Christ your Savior died for you and in your places. His body went into the grave and his soul to Sheol. But from there he was raised body and soul! And he was raised, not only for himself but for you and me and all who are in him by faith. “God raised him from the dead” (see Acts 13:30). And those who are in Christ are confident that they too will be raised, just as he was raised.
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The Reason For The Deliverance (vs. 20-36)
In verses 20-36 David tells us why God delivered him.
For the sake of time I will leave it to you to read verses 20-36 again. And I would ask you to read these verses on two levels. First, read them as David’s words, and then read them as Christ’s words. Again, you will see that they were true for David on one level, but they were for Jesus the Christ on a whole other level.
God delivered David because he was righteous, blameless, merciful, pure and humble. If you know the story of David you know this is only true in a sense. David was righteous only in the way that you and I can be righteous, for he was a sinner like us. He was made righteous through faith in Christ (his son). And he was righteous, but only in a religious sense. He was righteous in the sense that he was faithful to God and devout. We know that he was not righteous and pure in an absolute sense. The scriptures are clear about this.
And whatever righteousness David did have, even that was owed to the grace of God alone. David himself says so in this passage. Beginning with verse 27 David gives all glory to God, saying, “for you save humble people”; verse 28: “for it is you who light my lamp”; verse 30: “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him”; verse 31: “For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?— the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless” (Psalm 18:31–32, ESV). On and on I could. This Psalm is filled with praise for God’s grace. David is not here claiming to be righteous in and of himself. No, but he was righteous in God and in his Anointed. And for this reason, God delivered him, “because [God] delighted in [him]” (Psalm 18:19).
But if you read these same words as if from Jesus the Christ, the Son of David, they rise to a higher level. Christ was righteous, absolutely. “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22, ESV). And for this reason “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, [in Psalm “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’” This was how Peter preached the gospel as recorded in Acts 2:24–28.
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The Victory Of The King Over All His Enemies (vs. 37-45)
Verses 37 through 45 do not describe deliverance from trouble, but the King’s victory over all his enemies. So the situation is advanced here. No longer does the King feel as if the “cords of Sheol” are entangling him. No longer is his rescue described. Now the King is victorious. Now he conquers his enemies.
You will notice that some are consumed.
In verse 37 we read, “I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed” (Psalm 18:37, ESV).
In verse 42 we read, “I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets” (Psalm 18:42, ESV).
This should remind us of what was said concerning the Lord’s Anointed in Psalm 2: “You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Psalm 2:9, ESV).
But others surrender to the King. Or to use the language of Psalm 2, they take refuge in the LORD’s anointed.
Verse 43: “You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses.” (Psalm 18:43–45, ESV)
This was certainly David’s experience. After he was anointed king he ran from Saul, but God delivered him. And after God delivered him, he gave him victory over all his enemies and made his kingdom secure. That is what David is celebrating in this Psalm.
And such was the experience of Christ, David’s greater son. He obtained his kingdom through trial and tribulation. He suffered. He died. But his soul was not abandoned to Hades, and neither was his body abandoned in the grave. He was raised! And after he was raised in glory, he ascended. And when he ascended he sat down at the Father’s right hand. There he reigns until his enemies are made his footstool at the final judgment (see Luke 20: 41-44). There he reigns until all of his elect are gathered from every tongue, tribe, and nation. They will be summoned by the gospel. And they will be subdued by the Holy Spirit. They will say, Jesus is Lord, and they take refuge in the Anointed One. In this way — in judgment, and in salvation — every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.
Friends, Christ will have the victory. He will have dominion over all, either as Savior or as Judge. What is he to you? Everyone who has ever lived is in a relationship with Christ. He is either Savior or he is Judge. Again I ask, what is he to you? I return now to the second Psalm to urge you to turn from your sins and to trust in him. “Now therefore… be wise; be warned… Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 2:10–12, ESV)
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Doxology (vs. 46-50)
In verses 46 through 50 we find a doxology, or a concluding praise. “The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation— the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence. For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.” (Psalm 18:46–50, ESV)
These are the words of King David. But more than this, they are the words of Christ. Verse 49 is the verse that Paul quotes in Romans 15:10. But as I have taught you before, when the New Testament quotes the Old, or when the Old Testament quotes the Old, do not read only the particular verse that is cited. No, take a look around. Paul wants us to see that Jesus Christ is not only the fulfillment of verse 49, but of this whole Psalm.
Jesus is the servant King. Jesus is the one who was delivered from his enemies — from the man of violence, and from death itself. And Jesus is the one who is victorious. He rules and reigns supreme. He has the nations as his inheritance. And what is his goal? The glory of God amongst the nations.
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Conclusion
Let me now conclude by reading 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 which makes this point so beautifully. Like David, but even more purely, the goal of Christ is the glory of God the Father amongst the nations. “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For ‘God has put all things in subjection under his feet.’ But when it says, ‘all things are put in subjection,’ it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:20–28, ESV)
