Epaggelia

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul.”

In the title David tells us whom the Psalm was written for: God Himself, who is the LORD and he is just a servant. He tells us the occasion for the writing of the Psalm; possibly not only the immediate aftermath of Saul’s death (described in 1 Samuel 31; 2 Samuel 1), but also of the period leading to David’s enthronement (2 Samuel 2-5) He tells us also something about Saul, who out of great, undeserved kindness is not explicitly counted among the enemies of David (from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul). This Psalm is virtually the same as the Psalm sung by David at the very end of his life, as recorded in 2 Samuel 22. It is likely that David composed this song as a younger man; yet in his old age David could look back with great gratitude and sing this song again, looking at his whole life. It is one long, loving accumulation of dear names.” This means that David both knew God, and that he had experienced God.

v1-3, David praises the God of his deliverance as his strength, his rock and fortress in whom he trusts, He is his strength, shield, stronghold and horn of his salvation….

I will love You, O LORD: This was a triumphant declaration made in a season of victory both personally & publicly. David simply felt compelled to love the LORD who delivered him so wonderfully. Since he was taken from the sheepfold and anointed the future king of Israel, David had lived some 20 or so years as a fugitive, and as a man who had lost everything. He lost his safety, he lost his youth, he lost his family, he lost his career, he lost his rights, he lost his comforts. Despite great loss, he remained steadfast to the Lord his God – in His timing – God delivered David and fulfilled the long-ago promise of his anointing, giving him the throne.

In saying, “I will love You,” David used a somewhat unusual word. “This word for love is an uncommon one, impulsive and emotional. Found elsewhere only in its intensive forms, it usually expresses the compassionate love of the stronger for the weaker. It has special depth and tenderness.” David said, “I will love You” to the God who delivered him; not only for rescuing him from his trial, but for all God did in and through the trials to make him what he was. David wasn’t bitter against God, as if he said, “Well, it’s about time You delivered me.” Instead he was grateful that the years of trouble had been necessary in his life to provide wisdom & a great example of God’s provision for his children.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer: A rock was of help to the ancient Judean in several ways. It could provide essential shade, always needed in the merciless sun and heat of the desert (as in Isaiah 32:2). It could provide shelter and protection in its cracks and crevasses (as in Exodus 33:22 and Proverbs 30:26). It could provide a firm place to stand and fight, as opposed to sinking sand (as in Psalm 40:2). David saw his God as his strength reminding us of the promise later expressed through Paul: Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).  For all these facts, we should put our trust in Him, Hebrews 2:11-13, but also because we have his holiness given to us by Christ.