The campaigns against the Philistines, recorded at the end of chapter 21, terminated the wars of David. He was now approaching his late 60’s; but he had the pleasure of recovering the martial ascendancy of his country, and governing an extensive dominion which God had promised to the forefathers of the Hebrew nation. And, as might have been expected, David celebrated the close of his martial career in one of his most sublime sacred odes. The aged monarch offered his thanksgiving to Jehovah for all the success which had crowned his life, and for all the deliverances and prosperity with which he had been favored. He did not glory in his own wisdom or power, but in his God! In all the records of history, we shall hardly find a hero equal to David, who – in his old age – renounced his own merit, and ascribed all his success to the mercy of his God.

With a considerable number of minor variations, the song in this chapter is essentially the 18th Psalm. It seems that in the Book of Samuel, we have it in the form in which the monarch first sung it in his prayer-closet, as a personal outburst of gratitude to God; but in the Book of Psalms, it was revised and adapted for public worship and the general use of the people of God.

In the introductory part of this song, David used a variety of words to set forth what the Lord had been to him. He called Him his rock, his fortress, his deliverer, his shield, his high tower, his horn, his refuge, and his Savior. In this firm appropriation which he here made of God to himself, we see how necessary it is for our spiritual happiness that we should be able to call the Lord our own! A fortress is threatening and terrible to all who are outside of it, but – just because of that – it is all the more safe to those who are inside. It is only when we believingly call God our own that we can enter the Divine fortress and enjoy His protection. As long as we are unreconciled to Him, His glorious and majestic attributes stand against us. But when – through faith in Jesus – we enter into covenant with Him, these are on our side; and then we can sing, “Behold, God is my salvation!”

In the second portion of the Psalm, the inspired poet described his perils and his deliverances – depicting the majesty of God by the sublimest expressions and loftiest terms; and the awe-inspiring manner in which He came to his assistance, saved him from his enemies, and extricated him from all his difficulties. Through them all, David’s solace was always in prayer, before the Lord’s mercy-seat. Even when every other way seems shut against us, the way to God – by prayer – is always open; and His faithfulness is pledged to give us help.

A large part of this song is a recap – in simpler words and in more detail – of the deliverances which David had experienced. And it is interesting to note the writer’s recognition of God’s hand in everything! There had been many human agents employed in working for him; but here, he makes mention of God alone. In these days especially, when people desire naturalistic explanations for everything, we are inclined to hide God behind the operations which He Himself is carrying on; and while we admire the harmony and order of the universe, we often fail to sing praises to Him Who upholds it all. Let us be on our guard against all this! These verses remind us to recognize the hand of the Lord in all things; but there are three attributes of God Himself, in particular, which are prominently mentioned here. The first is His faithfulness, as set forth in the expression, “The word of the Lord is tried” – that is, it has been put to the test and found to be satisfactory. The Word of the Lord stands firm with us in all our conflicts and calamities, and despite all our sins; therefore let no one despair, for God is faithful to His gracious promises! The second quality of the Divine character that is referred to here is His gentleness: “Thy gentleness hath made me great!” This is the very heart and center of the cross of Christ. David felt that God’s kindness to him – despite his weakness and waywardness – had lifted him up to the external greatness of his throne. But how much more of Jehovah’s gentleness has been revealed to us in the work of Christ! While we lay helplessly condemned beneath the sentence of the law, He came to us – not with Sinai’s terror, but with tender love! Go read the record of the Savior’s dealings with the woman at the well, with the woman who was a sinner, with the self-satisfied Nicodemus, and with the tax-collector Zacchaeus; and see how much His gentleness did to make them truly great! But there is one more Divine attribute that is focused on here, and it is the eternity of God: “The Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted!” A certain sense of solitariness grows upon a person as he becomes older. He comes to a time when he begins to feel himself almost a stranger – even in the place where he has spent his whole life – as one after another of his earthly friends are taken away. Something like this was surely felt by David as he advanced into old age. Samuel was no longer on this earth, Jonathan had passed away, Ahithophel had proved to be a traitor, and Joab had become a thorn in his side. But there was One Who was and is always true; and surely it was with no ordinary emotion that out of his earthly solitude, David sang of the Lord’s faithfulness and deathlessness! Jesus has promised, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” In light of this, we may truly echo the theme of gratitude that is expressed in the final notes of this lovely song: “Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord!”

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