What does "call upon the LORD" show?
What does "I will call upon the LORD" reveal about David's faith?

Verse at a Glance

“I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:3)


Immediate Context

Psalm 18 is David’s song of thanksgiving after the LORD delivered him “from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul” (Psalm 18:1 superscription, cf. 2 Samuel 22).

• The declaration “I will call upon the LORD” stands at the front of the psalm’s praise, revealing where David’s rescue began: with his cry to God.


What the Phrase Reveals About David’s Faith

• Personal Relationship

– David uses the covenant name “LORD” (YHWH), showing he knows God personally, not abstractly.

• Active Dependence

– “I will call” is a deliberate choice; faith moves David to action rather than passivity.

• Ongoing Habit

– The verb tense implies a continual practice, not a one-time impulse. Calling on God is David’s lifestyle.

• Confidence in God’s Character

– He calls because the LORD is “worthy to be praised,” affirming God’s unchanging goodness and greatness.

• Expectation of Deliverance

– David links calling with salvation: “so shall I be saved.” His faith anticipates a real, historical rescue, not merely inner comfort.

• Exclusive Trust

– Surrounded by military strength and loyal warriors, David still anchors his hope in God alone, rejecting self-reliance.

• Public Witness

– By penning the psalm, David turns personal faith into corporate testimony, inviting others to trust the same faithful LORD.


Supporting Scriptures that Echo David’s Confidence

• “This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.” (Psalm 34:6)

• “But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.” (Psalm 55:16)

• “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

• “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13, quoting Joel 2:32)


Living Out This Truth Today

• Cultivate the reflex of prayer—turn to God first, not last.

• Let worship fuel petitions; praise reminds the heart why God can be trusted.

• Expect tangible answers—God still rescues, sustains, and vindicates His people.

• Share answered prayers to strengthen the faith of others, just as David did.

How does 2 Samuel 22:4 encourage us to call upon the Lord daily?
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