Christian Art | Prayer With Jesus | Psalms | True Greatness | Psalm Of Strength And Joy
Psalm 18 | King James Audio Bible
YouTube: Psalm 18 | KJV | King James Audio Bible | Psalms | Word Aloud
Psalm 18 is a song of faith, resilience and divine intervention, a picture of interaction between mortal struggles and God’s grace.
The psalmist stands amidst challenges. He seeks a source of strength and refuge. He shares an account of encountering God amidst life’s adversities. From the outset, he establishes a bond with the divine rooted in trust, an anchor that steadies him in life’s tempests. Through imagery as sturdy as a rock and as secure as a fortress, God is portrayed as a source of strength.
As the psalmist calls upon God, an acknowledgment of God’s intrinsic worthiness and an expression of his reliance on divine benevolence is witnessed. This call resonates through existence, recognizing challenges of the human journey.
Amidst trials, the psalmist’s plea reaches God, offering solace amidst turmoil. This exchange underscores the belief in the omnipresence of God. The interplay between the natural world and the divine is accentuated as elements respond to God’s presence. This portrayal evokes awe at cosmic echoes in response to divine presence.
The narrative takes a turn, as the psalmist paints a tableau of God descending amidst tumultuous elements. This descent symbolizes God’s involvement in mortal affairs, where the extraordinary meets the ordinary and the sacred intertwines with the mundane.
Images of darkness, clouds, and waters enshroud God’s presence in mystery, echoing depths of human experience where uncertainty often reigns. Amidst this enigma, thunderous divine voice and lightning emerge as symbols of theophanic revelation, evoking humility in presence of divine grandeur.
Account of divine arrows and upheaval is a reminder that God’s intervention is both transformative and disruptive, unearthing hidden truths and exposing vulnerabilities beneath the surface. Through tumult, the metaphor of being drawn from waters emerges as a portrayal of deliverance from affliction’s abyss. It captures divine assistance, extending a lifeline to those immersed in life’s torrents.
Emerging from adversity, the psalmist experiences liberation and rejoices in newfound freedom. This triumph is not only personal but a testament to triumph over adversity, where faith and resilience shatter shackles.
The narrative shifts to the principle of divine recompense, where righteousness and moral integrity find reward. This echoes cosmic justice, where actions are accounted for and vindicated in existence’s scheme.
In God’s justice, the psalmist’s commitment to uphold divine ordinances receives favour, underscoring divine symmetry where the virtuous find favour. The perspective of the psalmist widens, suggesting divine equity beyond character traits, encompassing humanity. This vision reflects universal divine justice. The symbol of light in darkness illustrates divine guidance illuminating murky life paths. This resonates with Christians pursuing guidance.
Psalm 18 | King James Audio Bible KJV
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay.
He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.
Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
Key Themes Of The Psalm For Reflection | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
- Divine Strength and Refuge: The psalmist seeks strength and refuge in God amidst challenges, portraying a relationship rooted in trust.
- Imagery of God’s Attributes: The imagery of God as a fortress, rock, and deliverer symbolizes steadfastness and divine protection.
- Cry for Divine Intervention: The psalmist fervently calls upon God, acknowledging divine worthiness and seeking intervention.
- Triumph over Adversity: The narrative unfolds amidst trials, with the psalmist triumphing over adversity through divine assistance.
- Nature’s Response to God: Natural elements respond to God’s presence, echoing the psalmist’s awe and signifying cosmic echoes.
- Divine Descent and Presence: The psalmist depicts God’s involvement in earthly matters, invoking divine presence amid tumultuous elements.
- Theophanic Revelation: Thunderous divine voice and lightning represent divine revelation, evoking a sense of awe.
- Divine Intervention: Divine arrows and upheaval signify divine intervention, revealing hidden truths beneath the surface.
- Deliverance and Liberation: The psalmist emerges from trials, finding deliverance and rejoicing in newfound liberation.
- Divine Recompense: Righteousness leads to divine recompense, underscoring the principle of divine justice.
- Commitment and Divine Favor: Upholding divine ordinances is rewarded with divine favor, reflecting divine symmetry.
- Equity Beyond Character: The psalmist suggests divine equity extending beyond individual character, portraying a universal divine justice.
- Guidance and Illumination: The symbol of light in darkness illustrates divine guidance illuminating life’s path.
- Empowerment and Support: Imagery of agility and elevation signifies divine support, empowering the psalmist.
- Divine Mentorship and Empowerment: The psalmist likens divine guidance to mentorship, depicting divine empowerment in life’s battles.
- Protection and Safeguarding: The shield of salvation symbolizes divine protection, enveloping the psalmist in a safeguarding embrace.
- Personal Growth and Ascension: Divine benevolence fosters personal growth, enabling the psalmist to ascend.
- Steadfastness and Resilience: The psalmist’s steadfastness anchors their journey through life’s challenges.
- Triumphant Overcoming: Triumph over adversaries reflects the psalmist’s resolute determination and divine empowerment.
- Divine Presence and Role: The psalm concludes with a celebration of God’s living presence, role as deliverer, and divine attributes.
- Gratitude and Praise: Gratitude flows from divine deliverance, inspiring thanksgiving and praise across nations.
Psalm 13 offers a raw glimpse into a person’s emotional journey – from feelings of abandonment to a renewed trust in God’s mercy. The psalmist feels forgotten and alone, longing for a sense of connection. He wrestles with questions about God’s seeming absence and the triumph of adversaries [ … ]
Christian Art | George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | The Sinner George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | The Sinner Lord, how I am all ague, when I seek What I have treasur’d in my memorie! Since, if my soul make even with the week, Each seventh note by right is due to thee. I finde there quarries of pil’d vanities, But shreds of holinesse, that dare not venture To shew their face, since crosse to thy decrees. There the circumference earth is, heav’n the centre. In so much dregs the quintessence is small: The spirit and good extract of my heart Comes to about the many hundredth part. Yet Lord restore thine image, heare my call: And though my hard heart scarce to thee can grone, Remember that thou once didst write in stone. George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | The Sinner The poet reflects on his spiritual state, describing a struggle with weakness, sin, and the desire for divine alignment. The poem opens with the poet addressing God, expressing discomfort, likened to an ‘ague’ (fever or chill), when he searches his memory for spiritual treasures. This ‘ague’ suggests both a physical and spiritual unease, revealing the tension the poet feels in self-examination. The second line conveys a sense of regret as the poet searches for ‘treasur’d’ holiness in his memory. He recognizes that, although he might strive to keep his soul ‘even with the week’, dedicating every seventh day to God, he falls short. This phrase reflects the expectation to honour the Sabbath, but the poet’s efforts are met with disappointment in their perceived spiritual emptiness. The poet goes on to examine his inner self, describing ‘quarries of pil’d vanities’ that dominate his mind. Here, ‘quarries’ implies an overwhelming quantity of earthly or superficial concerns, while ‘vanities’ suggests that these concerns are meaningless in the context of divine expectation. In contrast, he finds only ‘shreds of holinesse’, fragmented attempts at righteousness, which he hesitates to bring forward as these elements are ‘crosse to thy decrees’, or in opposition to God’s laws. This imagery underscores the poet’s internal conflict and recognition of shortcomings. Further, the poet contrasts earth and heaven, saying that ‘the circumference earth is, heav’n the centre.’ This phrase symbolizes the poet’s focus on worldly concerns (the circumference) that orbit around a neglected spiritual core (the heavenly center). The poet reflects that his life is filled with ‘dregs’, the lesser, unrefined aspects of his being, while ‘quintessence’, or the purest part of himself, is scarce. This ‘quintessence’ is described as the ‘spirit and good extract’ of the poet’s heart, amounting to a ‘many hundredth part’ — a small fraction of life’s essence. The poet realizes that, despite attempts to cultivate holiness, his internal state largely lacks spiritual substance. The final lines shift to a plea for restoration. The poet calls on God to ‘restore thine image’, asking for renewal and transformation. This restoration request implies a yearning to reflect God’s nature more fully, as humanity is believed to be made in God’s image. The poet acknowledges that his heart ‘scarce… can grone’ to God, reflecting the difficulty he feels in truly connecting with or petitioning the divine. The poem ends with reference to the biblical account of the Ten Commandments, when God ‘didst write in stone’. This allusion serves as both a reminder of God’s past willingness to communicate directly and a plea for a similar intervention to etch divine law into the poet’s heart. The poem examines themes of introspection, human fallibility, and a longing for divine transformation. The poet’s self-examination reveals struggle to balance earthly concerns with spiritual commitments, culminating in a plea for God’s direct action to restore spiritual integrity.
In the words of Ecclesiastes: Light itself is delightful, and it is a great boon for the eye to have sight of the sun. Devoid of light, the world would be without beauty and life would be lifeless. That was why Moses, who saw God, said in anticipation: And God saw the light and said that it was good. To reflect on the true and eternal light is even more fitting for us. This light is Christ who enlightens every man who comes into the world, the savior and redeemer of the world. He is the one who became man and sank to the very depths of the human condition. As David said: Sing to God a hymn to his name, make a highway for him who rises to the west. His name is the Lord, rejoice before him! [ … ]
