Today marks the third day of daily devotionals through the Book of Psalms, and we will focus on three powerful psalms—Psalms 17, 18, and 19. These chapters are filled with rich expressions of love, faith, and devotion to God. We’ll explore some key passages that offer great encouragement, such as David’s declaration in Psalm 18:1, “I love you, O Lord, my strength,”and the closing prayer of Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” As we meditate on these words, may we be inspired to express our love for God daily and let His Word shape the thoughts of our hearts. To understand a Godly foundation, read the daily devotional on Psalms 9-16.
Psalms 17-19 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today is day three in our journey through the Book of Psalms. We will cover only three psalms today. Psalms 18 and 19 are two of my favorites. We will focus on the beginning and the end of them. Can you say, “I love you, O Lord” (18:1)? If so, how do you express that love to the Lord? Please read or listen to Psalms 17-19.
What Lesson Do We Learn from Psalm 17?
There are some powerful words in these three psalms. Let’s go back through some of them beginning with Psalm 17:5, “My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.” What an assurance. Hold fast and your feet will not slip.
What Is David Saying in Psalms?
There is a lot of power in Psalm 18. Let’s start with verses 1-3, “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised”. And those are great and powerful words from David.
In 18:22-23, David says, “For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt.” Is that the cry of your heart? Can you say you follow the words of the Lord?
How about this great declaration in 18:25-26, “With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; with the purified you show yourself pure”.
Psalm 18:30 says, “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true”. Thank You for Your Word, O Lord. And Psalm 18:31, “For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?” Makes you want to shout, “Hallelujah!”
Psalm 18:46 says, “The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation”. Again, we want to shout a hallelujah. And we have not even reached Psalm 19 yet!
What Is the Meaning of Psalm 19:7-11?
We must re-read Psalm 19:7-11:
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
What an explanation of the power of God’s Word! Stay in God’s Word. Stay close to God’s Word. By keeping God’s Word, there is great reward.
What Is the Prayer for Psalm 19:14?
We close out these three psalms with the last verse of Psalm 19, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (v. 14).
It is hard to pick only one theme to focus on from these three wonderful psalms. Let’s combine the first two verses of Psalm 18 with the last verse of Psalm 19. “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Then, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (19:14).
What Does It Mean to Truly Love the Lord?
If we truly love the Lord, our strength, our rock, our fortress, our deliverer, the horn of our salvation, our stronghold, then we will meditate on the words of His mouth. Do you express your love for God in this way? Do you spend time with God and His Word daily or does life get in the way?
Is the meditation of your heart acceptable to the Lord? What do you think about throughout the day? If we say, “I love you”, I hope we meditate on His Word and Him at various times throughout our days. If you need a list of things to meditate on, try Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” May the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in His sight.
Prayer
Father, may that be our prayer today. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight because You are our rock and our redeemer. We give You praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
