God our Refuge and Strength

Psalm 18:1-7

To the leader. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

I love you, O Lord my strength, O Lord my stronghold, my crag, and my haven.
My God, my rock in whom I put my trust, my shield, the horn of my salvation,
and my refuge; you are worthy of praise.
I will call upon the Lord, and so shall I be saved from my enemies.
The breakers of death rolled over me, and the torrents of oblivion made me afraid.
The cords of hell entangled me, and the snares of death were set for me.
I called upon the Lord in my distress and cried out to my God for help.
He heard my voice from his heavenly dwelling; my cry of anguish came to his ears.

Meditating on the psalms is such a fitting way to journey through this season of Lent. The psalms offer a rich range of human emotion, from grief to joy, and provide a framework for prayer, reflection, and seeking God’s grace. Today we read a portion of Psalm 18, only the first 7 of 50 verses. This text also appears in 2 Samuel chapter 22 with slightly different wording and includes the narrative of King David’s life story.

David’s life, though marked by significant achievements, was also fraught with complications, including his adultery with Bathsheba, the murder of her husband Uriah, and the subsequent family strife and rebellions, including his son Absalom’s coup. His life is filled with danger, threat, death, and fear yet something profound emerges from all of these experiences through his relationship with God.

Psalm 18 is a love song from David to the Lord his God and the introduction provides the reason for him writing these words:

To the leader. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

Motivated by God’s immense help in rescuing him from his many enemies, David expresses what is in his heart, when he says, “I love you, O Lord my strength, O Lord my stronghold.” His love for God is deep and rich because the Lord heard his distress and answered his prayers. David loves God because he has experienced God’s love and mercy up close.

He then declares, “My God, my rock in whom I put my trust.” These words are deeply personal. Knowing that the Lord is watching out for him, working in his life, protecting him, sheltering him, and delivering him, David places his confidence and reliance on the Lord. We can learn from David’s relationship with God and continue to place all aspects of our lives into God’s capable hands. Our journey through life often takes us through valleys of uncertainty, moments of despair, and challenges that test the very core of our being. It is in these times of trial that we seek a source of strength, a refuge where our hearts can find solace and our spirits can be renewed.

Psalm 18 reminds us that God is the one who is our strength, our rock, and our refuge. As we carry these words in our hearts, may they fortify us against life’s uncertainties. Let us embrace the truth that our strength comes from our relationship with a God who is ever-present, ever-loving, ever-strong, and our eternal source of hope and strength. May we begin each day like David, offering our love and thanksgiving to God who is worthy of praise.

Faithfully,
Rose+

prayer

O Lord, you relieve our necessity out of the abundance of your great riches: Grant that we may accept with joy the salvation you bestow, and manifest it to all the world by the quality of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Lesser Feasts & Fasts, 2006, p. 60)

Daily Lenten meditations each have a companion morning prayer video offered by the same clergy.  View the YouTube playlist to find this meditation’s companion video, or to watch others.