Psalm 18

vs 31

All jokes about pro-wrestlers turned moviestars aside, remember that these people lived in a situation where they were surrounded by foreign gods. But David's point is, if you look at his life, and his circumstances, and his deliverance, then you'll see that YHWH is God.

vs 32

David now builds on this, by showing things that God has done for him - like arming him. Not the one I'd start with, I guess... but weapons are important in times of war. I bet if I were in a trench I'd be praying that prayer.

vs 33

I assume deer's feet are fast. The standing on heights thing might be about his ability to climb? Or it might be that God gives him high ground? Or that God enables him to get into positions with good vantage points so he can see more?

vs 34

God gives not just strength, but skill.

vs 35

No doubt that David was great - just read about some of his exploits in Samuel. But he makes it clear that without God, he would have not been protected or sustained.

vs 36

I think the idea is just that you don't slip and twist your ankle. I guess that's important in battle, or even in marching towards battle. It's funny what you prioritise when you are involved in something particular. Like, praying for a carpark is not a big deal when you're going shopping - but it would be far more poignant if you were going to the hospital with a dying child or something.

vs 37

Now you might think "Hang on just a sec, why is he speaking about this to God so proudly?" But remember, the reason Saul screwed up as king was that he didn't follow God's commands to totally crush kill destroy his enemies and leave none standing. So David is affirming his obedience in this verse.

vs 38

Not only is he affirming his obedience, but the strength that God gave him to be obedient. Now in this case it was strength to allow David to kill bunches of people. Which we might not think is super cool. But what is cool is that when God calls us to be obedient to him, he also gives us the strength to fulfil his purposes.

Which becomes very complicated when we fail in things as Christians. How are we meant to tell whether we have not been relying on God's strength, and have failed, or we have been relying on God's strength, and it was his will that we fail anyway? This verse doesn't give us any guidance in that.

Oh, and before you tell me that God never wants us to fail in what we do - read Jeremiah.

vs 39

A bit of a reiteration of previous statements - pointing out again God's strengthening of David, but this time also God's weakening of his enemies. God tips the scales from both ends.

vs 40

When you start running away in old-school combat, you're toast. Morale is of such massive importance in combat - with God on their side giving them victory, it's little wonder David is so chirpy in his psalm.