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Day 139

"You have armed me with strength for the battle"

Day 139 – Psalm 18

“You have armed me with strength for the battle…” Psalm 18:39

RECALLING WAR MEMORIES

David was very much a warrior-king, even as he was the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1e). The next segment, (Psalm 18:37-45 details David’s many battles with his enemies).

1. The enemies

a) External enemies – Psalm 18:37 (e.g. Philistines… Cf. 1 Chronicles 18-20)
b) Internal enemies – Psalm 18:39b, 43a

2. Battle Goals

a) Subduing of enemies – Psalm 18:39
b) Defeat of enemies – Psalm 18:40a
c) Destruction of enemies – Psalm 18:40b, 42

MESSIANIC UNDERTONES

Psalm 18 has definite Messianic undertones. The language of David in Psalm 18 went beyond his immediate context. The following texts confirm this observation.

“You have made me the head of the nations.
A people I have not known shall serve me.
As soon as they hear of me they obey me;
The foreigners submit to me.
The foreigners fade away;
And come frightened from their hideouts.”
Psalm 18:43-45

1. The Messianic Kingdom

a) There will be a Messianic Kingdom established.
b) The text above fits better if we think of a Messianic kingdom.

2. The reference to “foreigners”

a) David’s rule was over Israel.
b) The reference to foreigners would fit better into the context of Christ’s Messianic rule over the world.