Psalm 18:16-19 God, My Rescuer

As David prophesies of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, he naturally shifts the focus back to himself. It is one thing to think of what Jesus did when He died on the cross for the sins of men. It is another thing to think that He did it for me.

Today, we will look at God, My Rescuer in Psalm 18:16-19. Please read those verses now.

In verses 7-15, David speaks exclusively in the second and third person (using the pronouns “you” and “your,” and “He” and “Him”). But, in verses 16-19, the focus shifts. In these four verses, David says “me” 9 times, and “my” another 3 times!

It is all well and good to believe that Jesus Christ literally died on a cross two thousand years ago. It is even good to believe that, three days after He was buried, He rose again from the grave. It is good to believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, filled with the power of God to do the work of God, and that, through His sacrifice, people can experience the salvation of God. But all of this means nothing unless you apply that knowledge to yourself.

James reminds us that demons believe in God (James 2:19), but this doesn’t mean that demons are saved. There are many people who attend church each week and believe that Jesus is real, and He really did what the Bible says, but they are saved. It is not enough to simply believe in some objective truth, you have to apply that truth to yourself!

Jesus didn’t just die on the cross for generic sins, He died on the cross for my sins. David looks ahead to the Messiah’s death and says that God “took me,” “drew me out of many waters,” “rescued me,” “brought me out into a broad place,” and “delighted in me.”

We have to admit that we are the ones who were drowning in many waters and in need of rescue. We are the ones who have given in to sin time and time again. We are the ones who are oppressed by a strong enemy and his minions who hate us and are far more powerful than we are. We are the ones who are constantly being accused by the evil one and reminded of our sin. We are the ones who were desperately drowning and in need of a rescuer.

But God saved me. God was my support. God brought me into a safe place, where my enemies can no longer reach me. Why God would delight in me is beyond my understanding. But the fact that He does delight in me is settled in His Word. Jesus is personal for me, and His death on the cross reminds me of how lost I was in my sin, and how desperately I need Him—God, My Rescuer.

As the great hymn says:

I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore

Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more

But the Master of the sea, Heard my despairing cry

From the waters lifted me, Now safe am I

(Love Lifted Me)