We might not expect a soldier to also be a songwriter, to lay down his lance and pick up his lyre.
David always understood the spiritual dimensions to the battles he faced. Notice in this song of deliverance his understanding that God was there for him in every skirmish. Yes, He “always leads us in triumph in Christ” (2 Cor 2:14). And He wasn’t just fighting alongside David; He was the sure foundation under his feet, the looming castle of his soul, the secret weapon in his armory. “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge” (2 Sam 22:2-3). This is the longest quotation from David’s pen (365 words in Hebrew) and may, at first glance, be identical to Psalm 18. But, as we’ll see when we come to the Psalms, there are several important differences, removing the personal references so the psalm has a more general appeal. There are two recurring themes in this song. One is the wide variety of cosmic forces at work against the child of God in this danger-fraught world. For example, “the waves of death surrounded me, the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me” (vv 5-6). What often seems like a normal day places us suddenly in the midst of a spiritual battle requiring “the weapons of our warfare” which “are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor 10:4-5). The other theme highlights the wonders of the Friend who faithfully stands by us in every situation. “You are my lamp, O Lord…God is my strength and power…Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name” (vv 29, 33, 50). Of course, so should we!