The high and safe, inaccessible, tree house

I Rest – v1-2

My salvation (Acts 4.11)

My rock (high cliff)

Finding rest (Ps 46.1)

I am assaulted (v3-4)

David assaulted by human deceivers

He feels like a leaning, tottering fence

What assaults you at the moment?

Find rest in God alone – v5-7

He has to talk to himself

The Christian’s rock and refuge is Christ (1 Pet 5; Matt 11.29)

Everyone: Trust in your Refuge – v8-12

People – Trust God

Pour out your heart to him

For God is our refuge

Don’t trust ultimately in people or wealth

Why?

God is strong & loving

I am loved in Christ (Rom 8.31-39; Gal 2.20)

Whatever difficulty you are facing at the moment, remind

yourself…

1. A song of victory!

2. The victory of Israel’s king

a) The king rejoices in the Lord’s strength (1)

b) The king has been blessed by the Lord (2-6)

c) The king trusts in the Lord (7)

d) The king will win in the future by the power of the Lord (8-12)

e) God judges the king’s enemies through the king’s actions

f) The Lord is praised because his strength gives victories to the king (13)

3. Jesus is the ultimate king

a) He was granted ultimate victory, so trust him (1 John 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Acts 10:36-38)

b) He was blessed by God, so celebrate him (John 11:41-42; 17:1-5; Mark 1:9-11; 9:1-3; Romans 6:9)

c) He will come to judge, so hope in him (John 5:21-23, 30; Acts 17:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)

1. Before the Battle

2. After the Battle

3. Where is our trust?

Psalm 18 is a royal psalm

True words about King David

Connects to God’s covenant with David 2 Samuel 7

He was in a special relationship with God 1-6

He was rescued and vindicated 7-19

He was established as righteous 20-31

He was given complete rule 32-45

His descendant will rule forever 46-50

Truer words about King Jesus

The defeated one (crucifixion) 1-6

The rescued one (resurrection) 7-19

The vindicated one (glorification) 20-27

The ruling one (ascension) 28-45

The gathering one (proclamation) 46-50; cf. Romans 15:7-9

A psalm that is (mostly) not about you

Warnings about God’s furious holiness (7-19)

Exhortations about God’s expectations (20-27)

Jesus is the ultimate King

Jesus is the ultimate Rock Luke 6:46-49

Our longing for a secure dwelling.

1. The question that really matters (v.1)

2. The answer that God gives (vv.2-5)

“The one who does what is righteous”

Integrity in your speech (v.2b-3).

Integrity in your allegiances (v.4a).

Integrity in your commitments (v.4b).

Integrity in your dealings with the vulnerable (v.5a).

3. Look to Christ as the great hope of Psalm 15 (Isa 61:10; Phil 3:7-11).

You enter God’s dwelling clothed in His righteousness.

4. Look to Psalm 15 as a great guide for honoring Christ (Eph 4:1; Rom 12:1).

You honour Christ as you live out the integrity described in Ps 15.

Prophecy from God (v1)

The complaint to God (v2-4)

The answer from God (v5-11)