Equipped for the Battle

“For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?— the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet. For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed. They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them. I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets. You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses.” -Psalm 18:31–45

In verses 1-6, David recounts his love for and confidence in the great God to whom he cries for help in his distress, and the Lord hears him.

In verses 7-19, David recounts the cataclysmic power displayed by God on his behalf as he is rescued from his calamity and brought to a safe place.

In verses 20-30, David praises the wisdom, justice, and graciousness of God whose ways are perfect.

In verse 31-45, the meter of the poetry turns buoyant and swift, as David proclaims the skill, the speed, the stability, and the strength God has given him for pursuit and victory in battle against the enemy. Interestingly, most of the verbs in this section are imperfect, which in Hebrew indicates either continuous or future tense.

Perhaps, one of the most striking clauses in the entire passage stands out in contrast to the excitement of the rest of the passage when David declares, “your gentleness made me great.”