Sermon Tone Analysis

Knowing God

Similar to Psalm 18

VERSE 1 The blessedness of knowing God

David begins with praise to Jehovah his Rock - Blessed be the Lord my Rock,

Blessed be the Lord my Rock,

The New King James Version.

(1982).

().

Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

David acknowledges his abilities came from God - Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle—

Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle—

God teaches and trains us for the battles of life

All wisdom and skill comes from God

1 Samuel 17:

If the Lord deigns to have a hand in such unspiritual work as fighting, surely he will help us to proclaim the gospel and win souls; and then we will bless his name with even greater intensity of heart.

We will be pupils, and he shall be our Master, and if we ever accomplish anything we will give our Instructor hearty blessing.

—Charles Spurgeon

And my fingers for battle—

VERSE 2 David claims personal ownership of his God and uses imagery he could relate to

The New King James Version.

(1982).

().

Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

My lovingkindness = loyal love, unfailing kindness, devotion, i.e., a love or affection that is steadfast based on a prior relationship

loyal love, unfailing kindness, devotion, i.e., a love or affection that is steadfast based on a prior relationship

Swanson, J. (1997).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.).

Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

My fortress = a stronghold, a defense

My high tower = stronghold, fortress, refuge, i.e., an inaccessible, secure place possibly up high in rim-rock where one may dwell or reside, with a focus on safety and security of the area

stronghold, fortress, refuge, i.e., an inaccessible, secure place possibly up high in rim-rock where one may dwell or reside, with a focus on safety and security of the area

Swanson, J. (1997).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.).

Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

My deliver = escape, survive, i.e., be out of danger by taking refuge in another place

escape, survive, i.e., be out of danger by taking refuge in another place

Swanson, J. (1997).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.).

Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

My shield = small shield, i.e., a defensive weapon that protects from attack, made of a frame with leather cover

small shield, i.e., a defensive weapon that protects from attack, made of a frame with leather cover

Swanson, J. (1997).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.).

Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

My refuge = refuge in, i.e., go to a place where one will find safety, rest, or comfort, implying the place of refuge is a place to be trusted to keep one safe

refuge in, i.e., go to a place where one will find safety, rest, or comfort, implying the place of refuge is a place to be trusted to keep one safe

Swanson, J. (1997).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.).

Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

My subduer = subdue, formally, beat down, i.e., conquer another and by implication oppress them (Swanson, J. (1997).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.).

Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)

subdue, formally, beat down, i.e., conquer another and by implication oppress them

Swanson, J. (1997).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.).

Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Mankind

VERSE 3 The insignificance of man

David asks the question, “Why do you bother with man?” - Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?

Knowledge = know, i.e., possess information about

know, i.e., possess information about

Swanson, J. (1997).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.).

Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?

David’s comparison of man and God shows us the where our trust must be

We don’t deserve to be blessed by God

David asks, “Why do you even think about man?” - Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?

Why does God care for us?

Why would He go to such great lengths to save us?

The New King James Version.

(1982).

().

Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?

The New King James Version.

(1982).

().

Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Now what is man when grace reveals

The virtues of a Saviour's blood?

Again a life divine he feels,

Despises earth, and walks with God.

And what in yonder realms above,

Is ransomed man ordained to be?

With honour, holiness, and love,

No seraph more adorned than he.

Nearest the throne, and first in song.

Man shall his hallelujahs raise,

While wondering angels round him strong,

And swell the chorus of his praise.

--John Newton, in Olney Hymns.

VERSE 4 A man’s life is short-lived

He is like one breath - Man is like a breath;

Breath = breath, vapor, i.e., unit of air that passes in and out of the lungs through mouth and nostrils, with a focus on its briefness and lack of content

breath, vapor, i.e., unit of air that passes in and out of the lungs through mouth and nostrils, with a focus on its briefness and lack of content

It’s connected to idols and vanity (emptiness)

Swanson, J. (1997).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.).

Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Man is like a breath;

He passes away as quickly a passing shadow - His days are like a passing shadow.

His days are like a passing shadow.

The New King James Version.

(1982).

().

Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The connection of the two verses before us with the rest of the psalm is not far to seek: David trusts in God and finds him everything; he looks to man and sees him to be nothing; and then he wonders how it is that the great Lord can condescend to take notice of such a piece of folly and deceit as man.

—Charles Spurgeon

Calling for God