Chapter 18

This is what David wrote when he learns that his enemies (Saul and those who follow him) are dead.  David has outlasted him with God's help, God had slain the enemies of David.  A few verses  here:

2 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. [Psa 18:2 ESV]

This is a verse worth memorizing, even if you haven't been hiding in the desert for years.

2025 - These are all places of defense, of last resort.  None of these are attacks.  David does not thank God for bows or arrows, for double edged swords or daggers.  Strongholds in which to take cover and shields to ward off the blows of the enemy.  It is for these that we should pray when we are outnumbered and surrounded - not for cavalry, not for tanks, not for A-10s.  For refuge!

2025 - What awesome verses:

25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; 26 with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. 27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. [Psa 18:25-27 ESV]

Psalm 18 and 2 Samuel 22 are extremely similar, as in two versions of the same document.  Some of the verses are exactly the same.  In 2 Samuel, the events David is celebrating - God's deliverance - are well in the past.  In that part of 2 Samuel, Bathsheba is David's wife and Absalom's rebellion has already been put down.

22 For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. 23 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. 24 So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. 25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; 26 with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. 27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. [Psa 18:22-27 ESV]

David considers himself blameless before God.  Hmm...He sees his deliverance as a reward for his blamelessness...hmm...

Then he gives some "principals" that I do not believe are universal.  How much doctrine is there here?  There is certainly a lot that is not easily understood in one quick reading.

This Psalm is 50 verses long.  That's pretty long for a Psalm.