16 He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. 17 He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. 19 He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. 20 The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. 23 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. 24 So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. 25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; 26 with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. 27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.
Psalms 18:16-27
Knowing by Experience & Experiencing What You Know
This is one of David’s Psalms. As has been pointed out by Daniel Mui who has written about the first section of this psalms, David knew God’s thousands of names. He knew these names through the numerous time God saved him, that is how we all know God’s names deeper and better. On the other hand, I would say David applied what he has learned about God in his life. When he was facing fearsome enemies, he trusted that God Almighty has the power to save him. When He faced Saul, he trusted the all-knowing and all-wise God that He has the best plan and best timing to establish him as king, so instead of killing Saul, he waited for the Lord.
The Effects of Knowing God
Besides applying what we have learned about God in our relationship with Him, we should also apply what we have learned about Him in how we deal with others and how we conduct our lives. When we know Him, we become like Him. In the last section of this passage, verses 25-27, we become merciful, blameless, pure, and humble because He is.
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