READ Psalm 18:1-3
The Psalms use metaphor to convey deep realities of God in ways that are identifiable and understandable to his people. One of the most prevalent metaphors that is used throughout the Psalms is the metaphor of the LORD being our refuge. In order to develop this metaphor, the Psalms will employ common images that reveal aspects about God’s character. The emotional value of the Psalms is that it applies these aspects of God’s character to our everyday life. As a result, we get rich poetry that both reveals who God is and who we are.
Psalm 18 picks up the image of God as a rock in a way that communicates that God is our refuge. The Psalm starts with David professing his love for God, and identifies God as his strength. This is written by a man who is looking back on a life of many trials and tribulations and through them all he sees the hand of God, the faithfulness of God, and the love of God for him. What other way could he respond but by professing his love for such a loving God? David then calls the Lord his strength. David could have said that the Lord is the source of his strength, or that he has given him strength, but instead he chooses to say that the Lord IS his strength. All of David’s strength is so identified with the Lord that there is no strength that exists outside of the Lord for David.
David then uses several images to describe how God is his strength: rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn of salvation, and stronghold. Out of all of these images David draws attention to the image of “rock” by choosing it as the only image which is repeated in this line of the Psalm. He does this because this is the main image that he wants us to focus on. The Lord is my rock. What does it mean that the Lord is my rock? In this Psalm we can see two aspects of what it means for the Lord to be a rock: protection and deliverance. The rock is the source of protection for the sojourner who is caught in a storm. It is a shelter against wind, rain, lightning, and cold. The rock is the source of deliverance because it is a trustworthy foundation that preserves and remains steadfast. Although the sand may shift and the waters rage, the rock remains. And if WE are on the rock, we will also remain. If we are in the rock we will be protected.
Finally, notice the personal nature of this image. The Lord is not described as a rock or even as the rock. Rather, David lays hold possession of the LORD by referring to him as MY rock. This expressive and personal element is crucial to the way in which David wants us to know God as refuge. He is our refuge PERSONALLY. Just as David is able to claim the LORD as his rock, so are we.
Questions
How does David’s love for God relate to the rest of verse 1-3?
What are the various images that are used to describe God in these verses? Discuss the different emphasis that each image gives.
What do we need refuge from?
How does God function as our refuge?
What are some of the things that you are tempted to take “refuge” in other than God?
What are some things we can do to grow in our faith that God alone is our refuge? Who can we talk to? Who can we listen to? How does knowing that this Psalm is written by David help us?
Pray
Pray for each other in the following ways:
Pray against the false refuges that you are drawn towards in times of trial
Pray for specific ways that each of you need PROTECTION. (Suffering, temptation, weakness)
Pray for specific ways that each of you need DELIVERANCE. (Sin, persecution, suffering)