Psalm 18: 2-4, 47, 51

This week’s responsorial comes from Psalm 18, a psalm of royal thanksgiving that celebrates God’s faithful intervention in King David’s life, particularly in times of military and personal trial.

The psalm is rich with expressions of gratitude, acknowledging that David’s victories are not solely his own but are gifts from God. By composing this hymn, David memorialized his own deliverance but also reminded the people of Israel of God’s steadfast support and might.

This psalm of praise is duplicated in 2 Samuel 22, which underscores the importance of the message. It is both a personal psalm of David and a part of Israel’s historical narrative.

I love you, O LORD, my strength, O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!

The psalm opens with a litany of invocations acclaiming God as savior, each of which describes God’s unwavering support in times of trouble.

The word translated here as “love” (rāham) is worth noting. It comes from the word for “womb” and denotes the kind of intimate love a mother has for the child she is carrying or has already borne. It conveys the sense of elemental connection, a connection with something that has come forth from one’s very being.

This word is usually employed to characterize the extraordinary, even incomprehensible, love that God has for human beings. Here, King David pledges to love God with the same kind of devotion.

Praised be the LORD, I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies.

God is not distant but accessible and responsive.

The LORD lives and blessed be my rock! 

The victory cry “The LORD lives!” is a cultic formula that emphasizes God’s active presence and engagement in the world.

This declaration not only asserts God’s eternal existence but also celebrates his dynamic involvement in the lives of his people.

Extolled be God my savior. You who gave great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed.

In this last verse, David attributes all of Israel’s victories, deliverances, and advancements to God, recognizing that their achievements ultimately reflect the Lord’s mighty hand at work.

This psalm takes on a deeper meaning when understood in light of the New Testament. David’s acclamation celebrates God’s nearness and responsiveness, yet the gospel reveals the ultimate intimacy between God and humanity through the incarnation of Jesus. While David praises God for deliverance from earthly enemies, Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection redefine deliverance itself, offering salvation and freedom from sin.