Notwithstanding all the trauma of his life, the oppression of his enemies, the intrigue of his pseudo-friends against his character, the moments of failure in the circumstances which faced him, the sweet Psalmist of Israel was continually praising the Eternal, and in this chapter is recorded his greatest Psalm. He is revealed as the man after the Spirit's own heart, whose love for his God overshadows all the dark hours of despair. He pours out his heart in love and gratitude to Yahweh his Deliverer.

The Psalm is included at this point in the historical record possibly as the best illustration of David's life and character; the noblest specimen of his poetry. It was originally composed perhaps about the time referred to in 2 Sam. 7:1, for whilst it speaks of past triumphs over domestic enemies (vv. 39-42; cp. Psa. 18:39), it speaks of battles yet to be won in Yahweh's Name (v. 4; Psa. 18:3), and of foreign powers who would be forced to submit (vv. 45-46; Psa. 18:44-45).

It was perhaps included in 2 Samuel at this place because all that it predicted as far as David was concerned had come to pass, and was therefore illustrative of the greater prophecy contained therein -- that relating to Messiah (v. 51; Psa. 18:50), of whom David was a grand type. It also emphasised the fundamental righteousness of David's character in spite of his sin which Yahweh had blotted out, but which his fellows would not.

The expressions of innocence (vv. 21-24; Psa. 18:21-23) still apply, for David faithfully endeavoured to make full restitution along the lines he had promised (Psa. 51:13-14). GEM

2 And he said, Yahweh is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

Notwithstanding all the trauma of his life, the oppression of his enemies, the intrigue of his pseudo-friends against his character, the moments of failure in the circumstances which faced him, the sweet Psalmist of Israel was continually praising the Eternal, and in this chapter is recorded his greatest Psalm. He is revealed as the man after the Spirit's own heart, whose love for his God overshadows all the dark hours of despair. He pours out his heart in love and gratitude to Yahweh his Deliverer.

Bro Graeham Mansfield

Logos publications

Yahweh is my rock and my fortress

...nothing could more graphically convey the sense stability and confidence and safety, but he piles figure upon figure;

"my fortress, my shield, my high tower, my refuge", varied by the literal descriptions, "my deliverer, my saviour."

It seems as if David did not know how strongly enough or how extravagantly enough to give utterance to his admiration of God. The language suggests the idea of a man in a revel, in an abandon of enthusiasm with the subject before his mind.

God has vanished from polite literature or the talk of society, because He has vanished from faith. As a people striving to conform to Bible thought, we have to choose between the world fashion and Bible fashion in this matter.

There can be no hesitation where the eyes are fully open and undimmed by the blowing dust of the world's highway. The fashion of this world passeth away, asJohn says; the fashion of the Bible passeth not away. God was before the world, and will be after it, and the fashion originating with Him will "persist."

His ideas will dominate mankind when the present era and all its ways will be a forgotten memory; for His glory will fill the earth with a glorified remnant of the human race when the glory of man will have descended for ever into the open mouth of the Bible hell.

The present evil world is but a transient episode in the history of God's work on earth. It has

no more of the elements of permanency in it than the antediluvian era. Who now knows or cares for what went on among the men that lived before the flood?

We make the simple choice of wisdom when we choose to be on the side of David's God, who is from everlasting to everlasting, who made the earth for His own uses, and of whom we read

"Thou wilt save the afflicted people: but Thine eyes are upon the haughty that Thou mayest bring them down".

Seasons 2.71

11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was 7 years and 6 months.

Solomon reigned over the whole twelve tribes from the decease of his father and predecessor. This, however, was not the case with David from the death of Saul. Solomon and David were types of the Christ, who was to descend from them after the flesh, in respect of his career as a hero and conqueror, and the Prince of Peace. "Yahweh", says Moses,

"is a Man of war; Yahweh is His name" (Exod. 15:3).

David's career was illustrative of that of the Man Yahweh, styled by Paul, "the Man Christ Jesus," as the founder of the reign of peace. Hence, as David reigned several years over Judah before he became the recognized sovereign of the whole nation; it behoves that his Son and Lord reign as King of Judah before he become monarch of all the tribes of Israel and kingdoms of the earth. This typical indication is sustained by the testimony in Zech. 12:7, that

"Yahweh shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David, and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah."

The victory of Bozrah will be fatal to Gentile supremacy in the land of Israel. In the day of this discomfiture its invaders will be beaten off by Yahweh from the channel of the river (Euphrates) unto the stream of Egypt (the Nile); after which he will gather them one by one from Assyria and Egypt to worship him in Jerusalem (Isa. 27:12,13).

This gathering of Israelites of the tribe of Judah, "one of a city and two of a family" (Jer. 3:14) to Zion, will result from the angel proclamation in midheaven [Rev 14: 6]. Being fed by pastors according to Yahweh's own heart with knowledge and understanding, the veil will be removed from the minds of many, who will become willing (Psa. 110:3) to emigrate from among the nations and return to their fatherland. Yahweh, the Man of War, will bring them there -

"I will bring you," saith He, "to Zion".

Eureka 14.6.