Psalm 18 is a long psalm. 18:30-34 is a strong word, a word about God that leads us to learn to trust in God and to depend on God, especially when life seems to be at its worst. Here the psalmist speaks of what God is like:
God acts in a faithful manner; God’s promise is reliable; God is a shield.
In fact, this leads to a sudden question: Who is God beside YHWH? (No one.) Who else protects? (No one.)
That God, the protector-reliable God, gives him strength; he removes obstacles; he provides agility on the craggy terrain; he prepares the psalmist for battle.
It reminds me of the safe places we found on Skellig Michael recently.
18:30 The one true God acts in a faithful manner;
the Lord‘s promise is reliable;
he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.
18:31 Indeed, who is God besides the Lord?
Who is a protector besides our God?
18:32 The one true God gives me strength;
he removes the obstacles in my way.
18:33 He gives me the agility of a deer;
he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.
18:34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend even the strongest bow.
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