I get overwhelmed when my problems are bigger than what I can handle, but what helps me is seeing big solutions. Today we’re looking at Psalm 18 – which is a song of praise about God's glory in despair – and I can’t wait to talk about it -because when you can see God’s glory, (when you see how big your solutions are) your problems – whatever they are become beatable.

Psalm 18: When God is Big (Problems are small)

I get overwhelmed when my problems are bigger than what I can fix, and what helps me is seeing big solutions that can help.

The Problems in Life That Bring Distress

Psalm 18:4–5 (NIV)

⁴ The cords of death entangled me;

the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

⁵ The cords of the grave coiled around me;

the snares of death confronted me.

 For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

 Psalm 18 is a close copy of the composition that appears in 2 Samuel 22:1–51. The psalm is an extended hymn of praise to Yahweh for his deliverance of the psalmist from a host of enemies. The theme of Yahweh as “rock,” “fortress,” and “refuge” appears at significant points throughout the psalm (18:2, 30–31, 46).

 

Psalm 18:6 (NIV)

     ⁶ In my distress I called to the Lord;

I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry came before him, into his ears.

 

God Didn’t Show Answers, Plans or Solution – God shows Himself.

Psalm 18:7–11 (NIV)

⁷ The earth trembled and quaked,

and the foundations of the mountains shook;

they trembled because he was angry.

⁸ Smoke rose from his nostrils;

consuming fire came from his mouth,

burning coals blazed out of it.

⁹ He parted the heavens and came down;

dark clouds were under his feet.

¹⁰ He mounted the cherubim and flew;

he soared on the wings of the wind.

¹¹ He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—

the dark rain clouds of the sky.

 

When You See God’s Glory (and know that you belong to Him) – you get Security, and Act Righteously

Psalm 18:1–2 (NIV)

¹ I love you, Lord, my strength.

² The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield  and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

 

 

Psalm 18:30–36 (NIV)

³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect:

The Lord’s word is flawless;

he shields all who take refuge in him.

³¹ For who is God besides the Lord?

And who is the Rock except our God?

³² It is God who arms me with strength

and keeps my way secure.