God Our Saviour
Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Introduction
Seven is said to be a perfect number. It is a number ascribed to God. David in writing this verse have ascribed seven metaphors to God which today we will be talking about. David was a warrior so his description about how the Lord saves and protects is in military terms. Each of the seven metaphors here can be claimed by any believer or Christian who have put their faith in Christ Jesus.
1. My Rock – rock is used as symbol of God. In the Old Testament,
a. “Yahweh is my rock, and my fortress” (2 Sam. 22:2; Ps. 18:2; 71:3);
b. “God, the rock of my salvation” (2 Sam. 22:47; Ps. 62:2,7; 89:26);
c. “my God the rock of my refuge” (Ps. 94:22);
d. “the rock of thy strength” (Isa. 17:10);
e. “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Ps. 61:2); repeatedly in the song of Moses (Deut. 32:3-4, 18, 30-31; 2 Sam. 22:32).
f. Paul applies the rock smitten in the wilderness (Ex. 17:6; Num. 20:11) to Christ as the source of living water for spiritual refreshment (1 Cor. 10:4).
The Bible presents God the Father as a Rock and so is Christ. Therefore we can conclude that Christ is God. Rocks are a refuge, both figuratively and literally. The rock spoken here is a huge rock immovable and impregnable. The rock is also a symbol of hardness and something which endures. Rock is a place for sacrifice in the OT. In Jerusalem the “dome of the rock.” is thought to be the site where Jews and Christians believe Abraham was prepared to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God (Genesis 22:1–14) and further is thought to be the site of the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite which David purchased to build an altar to Yahweh. According to Muslim legend, the Prophet Muhammad started his ascension to heaven on that rock.
2. My Fortress – this speaks to a bulwark or a strong hold. A very good example or illustration here is Masada, a fortified place where the Jews resisted the Roman armies after the destruction of Jerusalem. “Fortress” pictures God as a stronghold, like the city of Jerusalem on Mount Zion (1 Sam 22:4; 24:22; 2 Sam 5:17; 23:14).
In modern times a military fortress is a place where it is next to impossible to conquer or overran it. When you are inside a military base, your enemies will not be able to take you out or harm you. When you are in Christ, nobody can harm you also, even the devil himself. No wonder, Martin Luther penned the hymn “A Mighty Fortress is our God. Psalms 18:1-3
Rock” and “fortress” pictures a high place of refuge and defence to which one might flee for protection. To take refuge in the LORD is far better than hiding in a man-made fortress or behind a huge rock. Do you need safety and protection? Go to Christ.
3. My Deliverer – Our God can deliver us or keep us safe from any danger. David was kept safe from the hands of King Saul and from Goliath. Daniel was saved from the lion’s den, his friends was spared from the fiery furnace. During the time of King Hezekiah, Assyria under Sennacherib wants to take Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. King Hezekiah prayed and God delivered them by sending an angel who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (2 kings 18-19)
During the six day war, Israel was surrounded by the armies of Islamic countries yet they won the war. As the Lord had protected the Old Testament believers, He will also deliver us not only from physical dangers, but also from temptations and from the wicked one. 2 Tim. 4:18, 2 Pet. 2:9. Do you have enemies? Are they many and stronger, better, smarter, richer than you? Jesus Christ can deliver you from all your foes.
4. My Strength – the Hebrew word here is also translated as “rock” a boulder which is noted for its strength, unmovable, hard and durable. Christ was the foundation of the church. (Mt. 16:18; 1Pe 2:6).
Satan has tried to destroy the Church by doing all the dirty tricks. False prophets, false teachers, false pastors, false doctrine, false religion, faith healers, contemporary music, persecutions, yet Bible believing, Bible preaching, Bible living, Bible practicing, New Testament Baptist church stands solid as a rock and its getting stronger. Christ is the source of the strength of all those who perished for Christ’s sake and those who died during the Catholic inquisition. I can go on living and doing the Lord’s work only because he is my strength.
A sailor in a shipwreck was thrown upon a rock where he clung in a great danger until the tide went down. Later a friend asked him, “Jim, didn’t you shake with fear when you were hanging on that rock? Yes but the rock didn’t” was the significant reply. Christ is the rock of Ages. Christ is the solid rock where we stand and as the old hymn says “all other ground is sinking sand”.
5. My Buckler – buckler is a small or portable shield used by archers and swordsman. God is called a “buckler” and “shield” to them that trust Him (Ps. 18:2, 30; 2 Sam. 22:31; Pr. 2:7). “Shield” speaks of God’s protection (3:3; 7:10; 28:7; 33:20; Gen 15:1; Deut. 33:29), but it also is a symbol of the king (84:9; 89:18). David was Israel’s shield, but the Lord was David’s shield.
Another metaphor used by David about God is a shield (18:30 on Ps 3:3). Shield and a fortress are used in military terms suggesting protection and deliverance from enemies. Think about this, if God is our shield, can the fiery arrows or and swords of our enemies ever hurt us? I don’t think so. Have you made Jesus Christ your buckler?
6. The Horn of Salvation – The horn is an Old Testament symbol which is mentioned in Luke 1:69 and is applied to the coming Christ the Messiah. In the temple, the “horns of the altar” is a place where fleeing sinners could hold on for refuge. Horns also speaks of the fighting horns of a strong animal like an elephant. “Horn” refers to strength (Deut. 33:17; 1 Sam. 2:1, 10; 1 Kings 22:11). They later symbolized rulers (cf. 148:14; Dan. 7:8, 11, 20-21, 24; 8:21-22; Rev 17:12).
In 1 Kings 1:51, Adonijah fearing Solomon will kill him, hold on the horns of the altar; which was the last resort of the guilty when they despaired of mercy. Solomon forgave him and let him live. Joab did the same, (1 Kings 2:28-31) however King Solomon ordered his execution as a punishment for the innocent blood he had shed. Christ is the horn of salvation for all of us. Anyone who comes to Him will never be sent away disappointed and will have salvation.
7. My High Tower – the word here is not a man-made tower, but a natural high place suitable for watching and for defence. From high places you can see the danger before it goes near you. Most of the fenced city, castles, and military fortifications have high towers with look outs. Christ is our High Tower who watches over us, warns us for any impending danger and protects us from all harms. Is Christ your High Tower?
Conclusion:
Our enemies have many means to hurt and destroy us. Christ have many ways to help us. Our enemies no matter how numerous they are will never triumph. Defensively and offensively the Lord is what David needs to win any battle, and so are we. Do want to win or live victoriously? Receive Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.
