What is the context?
The narrative pauses for David’s song of deliverance. A closely related version appears as Psalm 18. David looks back on rescue from his enemies, naming Saul in particular, and addresses his thanks to the LORD.
The opening pictures gather around safety: rock, fortress, shield, stronghold and refuge. David’s confidence is personal. He has known danger and has come to depend on God for deliverance.
He describes that danger as overwhelming water and the cords and snares of death. In distress he cries to God, and his cry is heard. The thanksgiving remembers both the fear of the crisis and the help that followed.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Henry reads the chapter as thanksgiving that names particular acts of God’s mercy. Remembering the rescue gives shape to the praise.
Gill, commenting on the matching words in Psalm 18:6, understands God’s temple here as His heavenly dwelling. The reference does not require Solomon’s later temple to have already been built.
The language of refuge helps the reader hear what rescue meant to David. His praise grows out of distress he actually experienced, rather than denying that he had been afraid.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.