Ps.18:1,2 – TPT – Lord, I passionately love you and I’m bonded to you, for now you’ve become my power! You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet, like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress, my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape, my tower of rescue where none can reach me. My secret strength and shield around me, you are salvation’s ray of brightness shining on the hillside,always the champion of my cause.
Ps.18:1,2 – I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
This is a powerful Psalm that could only be written and sung by someone with a deep experience with God’s love. When David told the Lord he loved Him, he used the word raham, which was used in regard to a love for someone in your family. It was a deep love that developed through a close, long term relationship. This was how David viewed his love for the Lord, the Lord was close by his side in the middle of all the tests and challenges he faced. The Lord held David close when he fought the giant, He surrounded him with love like a shield when Saul pursued him, He even drew David close when he was betrayed by his son Absalom. Brian Simmons describes this love in his notes on this verse in the Passion Translation:
“David doesn’t employ the common Hebrew word for “love,” ‘ahav, but instead uses the Hebrew word for “pity” or “mercy.” How could David have mercy for God? The word he uses, raham, is the word used for a mother who loves and pities her child so much it manifests with a deep love and emotional bond. This concept, although difficult to convey in English, carries the thought of embrace and touch. It could actually be translated “Lord, I want to hug you.” Haven’t you ever felt like that?”
So this was David’s secret to success as well as happiness, he was held close by the love of God. God’s love is more than a doctrine, belief or a feeling. God’s love is experienced as we draw near to Him through the blood of Jesus. Come near today, he loves you because you are His family, a son of God.
