“O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Friday, December 29, 2023
Psalm 18: 1-50 (Forward, p. 61) CEV p. 563
In today’s psalm there is such a range of emotions, such a variety of thoughts, that it is almost impossible to give an easy or brief summary of them. The psalm begins with words of praise to God for how He had been a rock of defence, a place of shelter, for the psalmist. (This is again picked up in verses 31 and 46).
The psalm then moves on to describe his serious predicament, which he describes in very graphic and evocative terms, like being swallowed up by flood waters or being entangled hopelessly in deadly ropes (see verses 3-6). But then God intervenes, and once again, the psalmist uses very strong language. By his description, all of heaven takes his case in hand and acts to deliver him (see verses 7-19). All of heaven and earth had been enlisted to act on his behalf.
But then the psalm takes an unexpected turn. Verse 19 had said, “When I was fenced in, you freed and rescued me because you love me.” This is quite understandable, quite natural to say, in terms of God’s persistent and unfathomable loving kindness. But then verses 20-27 take us in an entirely different and surprising direction. Here the psalmist has the audacity to claim that God takes his side—not merely because he is loved—but because he, the psalmist, is a good person:
“You are good to me, Lord, because I do right, and you reward me because I am innocent. I do what you want and never turn to do evil. I keep your laws in mind and never look away from your teachings. I obey you completely and guard against sin. You have been good to me because I do right; you have rewarded me for being innocent by your standards” (verses 20-24).
Wow. Who in his right mind, in all sincerity, could ever say that? None of us are innocent. None of us steadfastly keep God’s laws and obey Him completely, least of all King David! So, how in the world could he maintain as much? Has he never looked into his heart and critically examined his life and dealings? One has to wonder. (He certainly cannot say this later on his life, after his dealings with Bathsheba and its fall-out!)
Surprisingly, David then continues in this vein, albeit with other people than just himself. He goes on to say that God blesses people who are loyal to Him, those who are faithful, those who are sincere and humble (verses 25-27).
And then, by way of wrapping up this psalm, David launches into a detailed description of how God has empowered him in waging war on his enemies, defeating them and humbling them (see verses 34-45). In this description, he is absolutely nasty and merciless according to today’s standards of warfare and gives them absolutely no relief or respite. Many of today’s tyrants and oppressors would find great comfort and support for their actions here!
And, of course, apart from its historical and literary appeal, what can this psalm say to us today? (Hopefully, no one takes from it a permission to be absolutely nasty and vindictive towards ones’ enemies). Here, I find several verses that would seem to speak to us, no matter who we are or where we find ourselves:
“You, the Lord God, keep my lamp burning and turn darkness to light” (verse 28);
“Your way is perfect, Lord, and your word is correct. You are a shield for those who run to you for help” (verse 30);
“You alone are God! Only you are a mighty rock. You give me strength and guide me right” (verses 31-32).
When we are in ‘dark places’, which happens to all of us, God gives us light and direction and comfort and protection. As the old hymn says, God has indeed been our help in ages past, and is our hope for years to come. This is an abiding and reliable message that all of us can most certainly take from this passage.
Forward notes: “From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds, burst hailstones and coals of fire” (verse 13).
“This psalm about deliverance reminds me of God’s wonders in nature. On a sweltering July day, I was backpacking with my husband and friend in the
far north of New Hampshire. One hour, we were swimming in a lake trying to cool off. The next, we stood bending our heads as hailstones an inch in diameter fell unto the soft, spruce-needle bed of the forest floor.
“I can imagine no better way to experience the power of God than standing in a hailstorm—not because God punishes me with weather but rather such a storm reminds me that I am not in charge. In this ancient psalm about deliverance from a storm, I remember, again, that God’s plan may remain out of my intellectual grasp, beyond my literal understanding. But it is clear that I cannot act as my own god. I must yield, in awe.”
Moving Forward: “Whether it’s old or warm today where you live, spend a few minutes outside, enjoying God’s gift of nature.”