God Our Rock: Help When Our Troubles Are Too Big (Ps 18)

Read & Understand Psalm 18:

I.      God Our Refuge (vv. 1-3)

David weaves together eight word pictures to describe Yahweh, his covenant God, as a refuge when troubles are big.

He recalls hiding in the cleft of a “rock” when he fled from Saul in the wilderness (1 Sam 23:25-28). So also, God is our rock in times of distress.

Next, David claims the Lord as “my fortress” and “my stronghold” like in the cave of Adullam (2 Sam 5:17). Likewise, God is our mountain fortress, stronger than Herod’s Masada, when the enemy attacks us.

Third, David asserts that the Lord is “my strength” and “the horn of my salvation.” A “horn” depicts power and might like he-goats butting their heads to gain supremacy over the herd. God’s “strength” implies toughness and endurance like the nails which bind a house together or buttresses which support a city wall. God is the believer’s strength and power when we are weak.

Finally, David adds that the Lord is “my deliverer” and “my shield.” He could attest how the Lord had delivered him even when his enemies were stronger or greater in number (see 2 Sam 8). Like a shield, the Lord protected him in battle.

These eight terms describing the Lord as our refuge (vv. 1-2) should prompt us to pray when our troubles are big (v. 3).

II. God Our Rescuer (vv. 4-19)

David draws upon Old Testament imagery to depict God’s powerful presence as our rescuer from evil:

1. The exodus from Egypt (Ps 78:12, 42-53a)
2. The parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharoah’s army (Ps 78:13, 53b)
3. God’s presence at Mount Sinai (Exod 19:16-20; Deut 33:2)
4. God’s provision in the wilderness (Ps 78:14-41)
5. The conquest of Canaan (Josh 10:11; Ps 78:54-64)
6. David own salvation within the history of Israel (Ps 78:65-72)

The same is true for us today. God saves us because he delights in us (Ps 18:19; see John 3:16; Rom 5:8). He is our “support” in the day of calamity (Ps 18:18), our “staff” in the valley of the death’s shadow (23:4), and our rescuer in times of trouble (18:17). Our enemies may seem too mighty for us, but God is mightier still.

III. God Our Reward (vv. 20-29)

David claims that the Lord saves his humble people and rewards us according to our righteousness. He honors the faithful and blesses us with every spiritual blessing in Jesus Christ (Eph 1:3). God has declared us righteous—not because we have perfectly kept his law, but because Christ made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. We are justified because Jesus was the Lamb of God who took away our sins (John 1:29).

IV. God Our Right Hand (vv. 30-45)

As a king and military commander, David needed strength and skill to succeed in battle. Yet what do we need? Do we need Wisdom? (Jas 1:5). Do we need Love? (1 Cor 13). Joy and Peace? (Phil 4:4-9) Patience? Kindness? Goodness? Faithfulness? Gentleness? Self-Control? (Gal 5:22-23). As Paul wrote, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). Do we need to be saved? According to 1 John 4:14, “The Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” He is the supplier of all our needs: “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” (Ps 18:30).

V. God Our Redeemer (vv. 46-50)

“Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever” (v. 50). This final verse promises a greater King than David who would reign forever on David’s throne (2 Sam 7:13). Jesus Christ would be that King of kings who recited this psalm in his daily prayers and sang it joyfully in the temple worship. He would claim that Psalm 18, like the rest of the Old Testament Scriptures, spoke of him (Luke 24:44-45). As God’s anointed King, he would fulfill these messianic prophecies (see Rom 15:8-9). David sees the nations coming to him, but Jesus would see himself going to the nations. David takes the lives of others to win the victory, but Jesus would win his victory by sacrificing his life for others. David rules as king—the head of nations, but Jesus would be a servant King. Then both would praise the Lord among the Gentiles and lead the nations in singing praises to the one true God. Praise be to David’s greater Son who counted us worthy to be his worshipers!

Apply Psalm 18:

1. Praise God with your whole imagination as your rock of refuge, your fortress and stronghold, your shield and deliverer, your strength and horn of salvation (vv. 1-2).
2. Learn to pray using pictures of God as your refuge (v. 3). God is your rock: your firm foundation, your hiding place, your shade in the desert. God is your stronghold: your unassailable fortress, your protection from hurtful people, your safe space in a fallen world. God is your shield: He blocks the accusations of the Enemy and delivers you safely through the battle. God is the horn of your salvation: like a he-goat butting his competition off the mountain. Use your imagination as you pray and it will transform your relationship with God.
3. Who or what is your functional God? Where do you turn for protection from danger and salvation from your troubles (vv. 4-6)?
4. David depicts God’s power at Mount Sinai (vv. 7-11), in the conquest of Canaan (vv. 12-14), and the parting of the Red Sea (v. 15). Which biblical accounts remind you of God’s faithfulness to save (vv. 16-19)?
5. Are you blameless in your thoughts, words, and actions (vv. 20-29)? In what ways can you more closely align your life with God’s Word?
6. Has God’s boot camp trained you as a spiritual warrior (vv. 30-45)? Has his gentleness made you great (v. 35)? How can you daily put on both the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) and God’s spiritual armor (Eph 6:11-18)?
7. Read or sing the lyrics of the hymns, Rock of Ages and My Hope is Built on Nothing Less. Meditate on God’s refuge found in Jesus Christ and let it lead you into praise (vv. 46-50).
8. For additional study, Paul Tautges has written an article and preached a sermon on finding comfort from Psalm 18.

Pray Psalm 18:

1. I love you, Lord. You are my Rock and my Refuge (vv. 1-2).
2. You are worthy of all praise (v. 3).
3. You are my help in times of trouble (vv. 4-6).
4. God, be my strength when my troubles are too big for me (v. 17).
5. Shine your light when my path is shrouded by darkness (v. 28).
6. May the nations behold the glory of your Anointed One (vv. 43-45, 49).

Counsel Psalm 18:

God our Rock must be the first place our counselees run for refuge. Teach them to find comfort from Psalm 18 even when their enemies are too mighty. Help them to read Psalm 18 with a picture of Jesus Christ as their Solid Rock on which to stand.