Song of Deliverance

2 Samuel 22

Who do you know God to be? Perhaps He has been your friend, or maybe you’ve seen Him as a Father. David knew the character of God to encapsulate many attributes, but one characteristic rippled throughout David’s life: God was his Deliverer. 

David was a warrior king. Though he is often portrayed as a man of great artistry through the work of the Psalms, he was also a man of incredible strength and strategy. Verse one of this passage reminds us that all throughout his life, David faced many enemies. God appointed David to defeat Israel’s foes and to usher in a season of flourishing throughout the Kingdom of Israel. 

God loved David, and David loved Him. In verses two and three, David opens his song by proclaiming God as his rock, his fortress, his deliverer, his refuge, his shield, the horn of his salvation, his stronghold, his savior, and worthy to be praised. I think you get the idea–David wanted to be clear!

The point is, David had seen many things that led him to testify of the Lord’s protection and deliverance over his life. Through battles and from the hands of those who despised him, God kept David safe. Even when wickedness and death ensnared David, God answered his call.

From this posture, David recognized God’s part in his deliverance. He did not try to credit himself for success in battles. Instead, his reaction was to point towards God’s power rather than his own. David knew of God’s royal and rightful authority above all the earth, and recognized his own lowly posture as a broken human (verse 8, Psalm 8:3). Even in his simple humanity, David knew that the highest King, God Himself, heard when he cried out to him in distress. In fact, David’s distress stirred the Lord to righteous anger. 

David’s song of deliverance is flooded with reminders of God’s character. It is within God’s character to be a rock, a shield, and a protector. It is within God’s character to hear His children when they cry out in distress. It is within God’s character to be stirred to anger when His children face the brokenness of sin. It is within God’s character to personally save His children from their enemies. From the very depths of our being we were created to glorify God. Therefore, knowing His character will stir our hearts to sing. 

Even before David’s time, these aspects of the Lord’s character have always been true. David knew that God, even in His heavenly courts, heard Him. Likewise, God heard the cry of mankind and sent His son to redeem us from our greatest enemy, death. Jesus humbled Himself to bear the painful punishment that we rightfully deserved. He has rescued us from our enemy through his crucifixion on the cross and glorious resurrection. 

Does the Lord’s care for you bring you comfort? Does His protection bring you peace? Does His delight in you bring joy? As you continue your day, allow your heart to be stirred by these simple yet powerful truths. May His consistent character cause a wellspring of joyful song to overflow within you.