Psalm 18

A song of intense gratitude and thanks to God.  

This Psalm appears also in 2 Samuel 22.....just before David's last words and death are recorded.
I wondered if this was an end of life remembrance of the long journey his life has been, resulting in a very intense, heartfelt praise, awe and worship of his God.   Study notes suggest that the Psalm was more likely written at the time David became king.   Either would work.  Timing doesn't matter.   David's heart is full, and he gives expression to it.

He expresses his love for God, who is his rock, fortress, and deliverer, strength, shield, 'horn of salvation' (denotes to me a sure salvation.....to be trusted in and relied upon.  Something to grab hold of and know that you are safe), and stronghold.  God is worthy to be praised, and thus David will call upon Him.....knowing that God will save him from his enemies.

He recalls desperate situations.....near death (reality and figuratively), being overwhelmed by the ungodliness around him. (recall Psalm 12?)
He recalls, also, that he called upon God during these times, and God heard.  And reacted.

God's reaction is described in cataclysmic terms. Earthquakes, lightnings, thunderings, hailstones and fire.
God is depicted as a warrior going into battle.  Bows, arrows and the like.  
He is also depicted somewhat as a dragon too, I think.  

Bottom line is this.   God wins.  Always.   And we win, only by His strength and might.  He rescues his people.    David speaks of broad places that God has placed him in.  My mind is drawn back to the days when David was running from Saul.....through the mountains, deserts, and even to other countries.  No doubt when someone is hunting for you, broad places just aren't where you want to be. The paths were often narrow and winding, rocky and slippery. David hid in many a cave. But God, with great triumph, has brought David safely through those times/places to set him in a 'broad place' free from the pursuit of his enemies.  He has truly delivered!  I am reminded of Psalm 16:5-7  about 'lines' falling to him in pleasant places.

David remembers that God's reward is for his righteousness.   His hands were clean from any evil, and God has rewarded him greatly.   Study notes were helpful here:   David isn't boasting of self-righteousness, but demonstrating that God loves righteousness and hates sin.  Often in his Psalms, David speaks of determining to live righteously, but gives God the credit for enabling him to do it.  

I love v 25-27.  God is fair.  Beyond anything that you or I can conceive of as being fair.  He judges righteously, both the good and the bad.   We can know that He is not fickle.....He always rewards rightly.

It is only by God's help that David has been the successful warrior that he is.  David isn't proud or puffed up about his rise to the kingship.   He gives full credit to God.

The psalm ends with an outburst of praise.  "The Lord Lives!  Blessed be my Rock!.  Let the God of my salvation be exalted."  God is given credit, once again, for David's success as a king.  He is to be praised to the ends of the earth.