In this chapter, David recognizes the Lord through a song of praise. I cried when I first read this chapter because David tapped into my personal feelings I have for My God. He describes experiences that mirror my own experiences with God. Lord, you are so AMAZING! Here’s the chapter in its entirety:
“David sang this song to the Lord after the Lord had rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. These are the words he sang:
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold, my high tower, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.
I will call on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies.
The waves of death surrounded me; the floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death itself stared me in the face. But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I called to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears. (WOW...THIS IS WHAT GOD DID FOR ME!)
Then the earth quaked and trembled; the foundations of the heavens shook; they quaked because of his anger. Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet. Mounted on a mighty angel, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds. A great brightness shone before him, and bolts of lightning blazed forth. The Lord thundered from heaven; the Most High gave a mighty shout. He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were confused.
Then at the command of the Lord, at the blast of his breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.
He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He delivered me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.
They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest, but the Lord upheld me. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. The lord rewarded me for doing right; he compensated me because of my innocence.
For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned from my God to follow evil.
For all his laws are constantly before me; I have never abandoned his principles. I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The Lord rewarded me for doing right, because of my innocence in his sight. (I can honestly say, I have not kept myself from sin. So, Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace!)
To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile. You rescue those who are humble, but your eyes are on the proud to humiliate them. (Wow...that’s powerful.)
O Lord, you are my light; yes, Lord, you light up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.
As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God is my strong fortress; he has made my way safe. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights.
He prepares me for battle; he strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.
I chased my enemies and destroyed them; I did not stop until they were conquered. I consumed them; I struck them down so they could not get up; they fell beneath my feet.
You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet.
You made them turn and run; I have destroyed all who hated me. They called for help, but not one came to rescue them. I ground them as fine as the dust of the earth; I swept them into the gutter like dirt.
You gave me victory over my accusers. You preserved me as the ruler over nations; people I don’t even know now serve me. Foreigners cringe before me; as soon as they hear of me, they submit. They all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds.
The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock! May God, the rock of my salvation, be exalted! He is the God who pays back those who harm me; he subdues the nations under me and rescues me from my enemies.
You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents. For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing joyfully to your name. You give great victories to your king; you show unfailing love to your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever.” (2 Samuel 22)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Through David’s song, you have confirmed your love, loyalty, and faithfulness to each of us. Help us to remain humble and not proud, for David said, you rescue the humble and you humiliate the proud. Lord, thank you! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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