Day 167, Psalms 18-22

Psalm 18
The Lord Is My Rock and My Fortress

TO THE CHOIR MASTER. 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 RESCUED HIM FROM THE HAND OF ALL HIS ENEMIES, AND FROM THE HAND OF SAUL.

*This song of David occurs also (with minor variations) in 2Samuel 22. In its structure, apart from the introduction and the conclusion, the song is composed of three major divisions: (1) the Lord’s deliverance of David from his mortal enemies; (2) the moral grounds for the Lord’s saving help; (3) the Lord’s help recounted.

“In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.”
-Psalm 18:6

“He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.”
-Psalm 18:16-19

“For it is you who lights my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 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.”
-Psalm 18:28-30

“The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation.”
-Psalm 18:46

Psalm 19
The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

*A hymn extolling “the glory of God” as revealed to all by the starry heavens and “the law of the Lord,” which has been given to Israel. Placed next to Psalm 18, it completes the cycle of praise–for the Lord’s saving acts, for his glory reflected in creation and for his law.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
-Psalm 19:7-11

Psalm 20
Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

*A liturgy of prayer for the king just before he goes out to battle against a threatening force.

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!”
-Psalm 20:1

“Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
-Psalm 20:6-7

Psalm 21
The King Rejoices in the Lord’s Strength

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

*A psalm of praise for victories granted to the king. It is thus linked with Psalm 20, but whether both were occasioned by the same events is unknown. Here the people’s praise follows that of the king; there
(Psalm 20) the people’s prayer was added to the king’s. In its structure, the psalm is framed with “O Lord, in your strength” occurring in both versus one and thirteen. This is centered around verse seven, which proclaims the king’s trust in the Lord and the security afforded him by God’s unfailing love.

“His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever, you make him glad with the joy of your presence.”
-Psalm 21:5-6

Psalm 22
Why Have You Forsaken Me?

TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO THE DOE OF THE DAWN. A PSALM OF DAVID.

*The anguished prayer of David as a godly sufferer victimized by the vicious and prolonged attacks of enemies whom he has not provoked and from whom the Lord has not (yet) delivered him. It has many similarities with Psalm 69, but contains no calls for redress. No other psalm fitted quite so aptly the circumstances of Jesus at his crucifixion. Hence on the cross he took it to his lips, and the Gospel writers, especially Matthew and John, frequently alluded to it in their accounts of Christ’s passion. They saw in the passion of Jesus the fulfillment of this cry of the righteous sufferer. The author of Hebrews placed the words of verse 22 “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you,” on Jesus’ lips. No psalm is quoted more frequently in the New Testament.

“In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”
-Psalm 22:4-5

“I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the Lord, praise him!”
-Psalm 22:22-23

“The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.”
-Psalm 22: 26-28