We can approach these 50 verses with 3 headings: vv.1-3, David’s Purpose. vv.4-45, David’s Position. vv.46-50, David’s Praise. All of which point us to the central focus of this Psalm. The central focus of David’s life, and really all of scripture. God and His Glory! David’s Purpose, v.1-3. He begins, telling God He loves Him! (1) He identifies God, LORD (Yahweh), the one true God — Israel’s God. Further, he attributes his own strength to God. God, you are the only God, my God, our God, my strength, I love you! David is not speaking of covenantal love, he is expressing tender intimacy. (Heb. raham) How often do you speak to God this way? (In prayer, thought, written words, song, etc.) We are blessed to have such a relationship with Him! Next David describes just how God is His strength. (2) Rock is a common reference for God in the OT, especially in the life of David. We understand the sentiment even in our time — my rock. Note all the other descriptors David places with it — He used seven military metaphors to picture God’s love: (Lawson) Rock, a foundation of stability and protection; Fortress, a place of refuge and defense when under attack; Deliverer, a savior in the evil day; God/strength. Using a different word from the Hebrew David again calls God “my rock”. This time meaning a strong defense; in whom he would trust. (Not a structure, weapon, etc) Buckler (shield), heavy armor to deflect the enemies’ attack; Horn of my salvation, a description of power in battle; High Tower, stronghold, meaning God’s care for his servant. God was all this to David, further, God IS all of this! This God, Who is worthy to be praised (and is in the Psalm), is Who David calls upon when facing an enemy. (3) We often lose sight of this very important tactic in spiritual warfare. Though we sing it: Tell it Jesus, I must tell Jesus, etc. What is the enemy before you? Temptation, doubt, etc. What are you to do? Call upon the Lord! Tell Jesus! This was David’s method of living, which led to his ability to purpose to praise God as he does here in some of his final words. (David’s Purpose was to glorify God) David’s Position, v.4-45. He was in distress. (4-6) God brought vengeance. He came to David’s rescue, intervening dramatically on his behalf. God as an earthquake caused the earth to tremble and mountains shook to overturn David’s circumstances. (7) He opened the heavens and came down in vengeance against David’s enemies. (8-9) God was attended by the cherubim! (10) “God descended from heaven to answer David’s prayer like a violent thunderstorm with dark rain clouds, hailstones, and bolts of lightning.” (Lawson) (11-15) David was delivered. (16-19) We’ve been delivered through redemption. We’ve also been delivered from the enemies of this life. The end of v.19 is so sweet to ponder. David attributes purpose to God’s providence. Because He delights in us. I cannot quite grasp the fullness of this. Nor the reason for it. But upon the authority of God’s Word I know it to be true. Glory to God! David was rewarded. (20a) God delighted in Him, God rewarded Him! The christian life can often be so much that we are caused to forget such goodness. Be warmly reminded for God’s Glory today — He delights in you, He rewards you! God rewarded him according to his righteousness. (20) Which, from the human position, could become anything but Glory to God. We can strive to legalistically please God in our own righteousness. Or, we can pursue the righteousness He provides for us! David did not make a claim for sinless perfection. He simply stated that he had devoted himself to following the Lord, and this had resulted in a godly life. (21-24) What does God’s reward look like in a life? (25-27) God upheld him. He would keep his lamp burning. (28) God would cause him to advance against opposition, and even scale a wall in battle. (29) Again, God was his shield and Rock, the Lord enabled David to stand with strength on the high places, places of victory. (30-33) David could fight triumphantly because God empowered him supernaturally. (34) God sustained him to make him great before his enemies. (35) He made David’s footing sure on the path to victory so David would not fall. (36) God gave victory and dominion. Empowered by divine strength, David defeated all his enemies and overtook them; he even destroyed and crushed them. Clearly, it was God, he testified, who armed him with strength to utterly beat them. Every victory David won was due to God’s empowering him. (37-42) David was placed in authority over these enemies. (43-45) To the Glory of God, this is David’s Position. He has Purposed to give God Glory. He has laid out His position — for what would he praise? Now we see, David’s Praise. David’s Praise, v.46-50. (46-50) The Psalm closes as it began—with a hymn of praise to God. As we think of David’s purpose, position, and praise…We can also focus our minds on Christ. More so than what God has done in David’s life (or ours) — think of what He has done through the life of Jesus Christ! He has wonderfully vindicated the Lord Jesus. He has given great victories to His king, and shown mercy to His anointed, His Son. Like David, we declare — The Lord lives! We too should be compelled to shout, Praise be to my Rock! We give Him thanks. We sing praises to His name. Glory to God!