Love

PSALM 18

Psalm 18 is a Victory Hymn!

Two main themes in a victory hymn:

Praise of the Lord our God.

Confidence in the Lord our God.

There is a very interesting difference in these two – is there not?

I have been able to do one without the other.

I can praise the Lord while my confidence in Him has been shaken.

I can have confidence in the Lord and have difficulty praising Him.

Yes or no?

When I have both at work – like it is in this victory hymn – I have something powerful at work. It is the topic of this message today. David called it "love".

"I love you, O Lord, my strength."

A unique verb expressive of love for God opens the psalm. Hebrew has various ways to express devotion and love for God, but usually the verb translated here as "love" (from r-h-m "to have mercy") is used to affirm God's compassion for man. The verb implies the need of the one who receives the compassion and is associated with the mother's care for her children. David thus expresses his commitment to the Lord who is his source of strength, comfort, and sustenance. The phrase "I love you" communicates an intimacy of his relationship based on experience (Expositor’s Bible Commentary).

What did David write about when he is inspired to write a Victory Hymn?

How would he express the two main themes?

I. David prays to the Lord (Psalm 18:2-6).

II. David sees a mighty picture of the Lord (Psalm 18:7-15).

III. David recognizes the deliverance of the Lord (Psalm 18:16-19).

IV. David deals with his own sin and righteousness before the Lord (Psalm 18:20-24).

V. David spews out some great theology concerning the Lord (Psalm 18:25-29).

VI. David does some imprecatory praying to the Lord (Psalm 18:30-45).

VII. David sings of God’ Love forever (Psalm 18:46-50).

David sat down for a drink at the headwaters – God’s covenant love and mercy.

Guess what he said.

"I love you Lord."

I have been taking my best shot at preaching for 25 years now. It never was my goal to do this; it was the Lord’s. I have preached at least 100 times on this subject. I actually thought at times that I knew and understood love. But today I say with full assurance – I do not yet understand or know the depth of what we are talking about when we say love.

Humanly speaking you would think that after 22 years of marriage; 2 nearly grown children; the grueling experience of having to lay one baby boy to rest (David had to do this too); 45 years of life . . . over 30 years of Christian life . . . 25 years of serious walk with the Lord . . . a man or a woman ought to be able to say all sorts of things about love with great understanding.

But something is changing in my heart. It is having great effect on my life – my mind, soul, and body.

I have graduated form one thing . . . into something else. It is as if I have entered into a new room. A banquet hall or an auditorium – maybe I should say a stadium.

My heart cries out to the Living God – "What is this?"

I see God’s mercy and His faithful covenant love in ways I have not yet imagined.

My heart cries out – "You are Good; Your merciful love endures forever!"

My mouth says – "I love you, O Lord."

Battles at an intensity I have not yet thought of; the reality of sin and hell that I haven’t been able to see.

And all I can say is, "I love you, O Lord."

Do you love the Lord?

Some have not even stepped up to the plate or sat down at the table.

Some have stepped up, but the cares of this world have allowed thorns to grow up that have cut off the work of the Living God and you can’t bear any fruit.

Some are on base and by faith are just doing what you are suppose to be doing. Keep it up!

Some have rounded third and are headed for home and the whole opposing team has jumped on your back. And this has caught you by surprise.

PS 18:25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful,

to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

PS 18:26 to the pure you show yourself pure,

but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

PS 18:27 You save the humble

but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

PS 18:28 You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;

my God turns my darkness into light.

Computer geeks have terminology to express the concept I speak of. Back in the 1980’s, I was the proud owner of a Commodore 128. In the 90’s the computer stores were offering 286 computers. I asked the salesman what the 286 meant. Is it twice as big as my Commodore 128? The salesman said that I’m not quite understanding this. The "K’s" used to measure the old commodore are not even in the book today. There is virtually no comparison. Then the young buck proceeded to laugh (in my face mind you).

Apparently the computer technology has entered a new realm.

My heart cries out – "You are Good; Your merciful love endures forever!"

My mouth says – "I love you, O Lord."