A Song of Deliverance

1/31/2026

Elijah McSwain, Sr.

Psalm 18:30 NKJV — As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

Psalm 18 is a song of thanksgiving composed by David. David praised God for His intervention throughout his life. The psalmist was under immense pressure and suffering because of adverse circumstances. The first verse shows that David faced aggression from King Saul and other adversaries. Verse four captures that he had the pangs of death encamped around him. He was afraid of facing the torrents of destruction. This was a difficult moment that overwhelmed him with anguish, pain, and fear. However, amid calamity, the writer found refuge in God. He shifted his perspective to the One who was his mighty defender and protector. In Psalm 18:2-3, 6 (NKJV), he expressed “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” In the midst of tribulations, David sought divine help. God graciously interceded to provide aid, protection, and peace during these uncertain times.

David wrote in Psalm 18:17-19 (NKJV) in reference to God, “He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.” The Lord supported David as his firm foundation, a defense against his enemies, a place of refuge and safety, a place of comfort, a place of strength, and a place of resolve. Like David, we too face dire circumstances that are detrimental to our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. It is important to note that God is our support during catastrophic situations. God is our refuge, strength, peace, defender, and mind-regulator during troubling times. Comprehending this reality will enable us to have our own anthem of praise and thanksgiving. When faced with disastrous moments, we can conclude, like David, “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

God’s Way Is Perfect

Psalm 18 is not a fictional, superficial, or make-believe folk tale. It consisted of a real-life event that highlighted a stressful and difficult experience. David’s life was consumed by the pursuit of Saul and other enemies who sought to harm him. This psalm is a direct correlation of what is penned in 2 Samuel 22:1-51. After giving a summary of his traumatic account in his song, we find his frequent recollection of God’s intervention through his lyrical expression. Throughout Psalm 18, he refers to God as his strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn of salvation, and stronghold in connection with His activity and involvement in David’s cause. As we arrive at Psalm 18:30, David penned, “As for God”.

The composer understood who controlled and oversaw the affairs of his life.

Since God oversaw the affairs of his life, he inferred that God knows best and that His way is the ideal method for handling every situation he faced. David boasted about God’s sovereignty over the circumstances of his life. Therefore, he acknowledged, “As for God, His way is perfect.”

His way is perfect in meeting our needs, managing our affliction and pain, and delivering us from hostile environments.

Albert Barnes noted this “As for God-The declaration in this verse is suggested by the facts narrated in the previous verses. The contemplation of those facts leads the thoughts of the author of the psalm up to the Great Source of all these blessings, and to these general reflections on his character. “As for God,” that is, in respect to that Great Being, who has delivered me, his ways are all perfect; his word is tried; he is a shield to all those who trust in him. His way is perfect – That is, his doings are perfect; his methods of administration are perfect; his government is perfect. There is nothing wanting, nothing defective, nothing redundant, in what he does.” ₁ God provides perfect counsel in our times of distress. God provides guidance and direction to navigate us through existential circumstances. His way is perfect for providing comfort in times of sorrow. His way is perfect in granting peace amid what seems uncertain. His way is perfect in bringing calm and ease in turbulent and chaotic times. His way is perfect and suitable for every dilemma we face in this life.

Why is God’s way perfect? Because God is perfect. His way stems from the core of His being. God’s way may seem mysterious and baffling to us at times, but it is imperative to remember that He does not operate according to human logic. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV) records “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

He acts according to His own standard to intervene in matters that concern His children.

When He acts on our behalf, His way is free from error. His way is right to remedy the situation because He knows best. His ways are sound, upright, and saturated in truth. Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (NKJV) declares, “For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.”

God’s ways are a manifestation of divine perfection.

Psalm 138:7-8 (NKJV) affirms, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Whatever trouble may befall God’s children, His hands are there to hold, sustain, assure, cover, and support us.

Whatever needs to be done in our lives, God will providentially do it.

No matter the excruciating pain, trials, afflictions, setbacks, attacks, hardships, misery, infirmity, misfortune, grief, disappointment, and adversity that are apparent in this life, be confident that God will tend to our moments of despair and show forth His perfect work based on His character. We too can boldly proclaim and sing, “As for God, His ways are perfect.” Psalm 18:31-32 (NKJV) adds, “For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.” His way perfectly resolves our dilemmas. He always provides the perfect solution to our problems.

God’s Word Is Proven

The song of David shifts to God’s Word being proven true. Despite the situational reality that he found himself in, David affirmed that the word of the Lord was true. In the midst of turmoil and the pursuit of the wicked, he concluded that God’s Word was fully on display. God's promises are clear in how He protects and supports those who trust Him. Thus, David firmly declared that the word of the LORD is proven. In essence, the word of the Lord is trustworthy, reliable, true, and certain.

 When God speaks, He will manifest what He speaks. He will bring it to pass.

In the midst of opposition, daunting moments, and life’s challenges, those occurrences do not alter or override the spoken word of the Lord. Numbers 23:19 (ESV) reveals “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” God consistently demonstrates His power in our circumstances. God’s promises are exhibited in the multitude of our experiences. The reliability of God is connected to the surety of His Word. What He speaks, He acts upon what He has decreed. What He has declared will be fulfilled. What He has promised, He will perform. Our deliverance from the hardships of life is contingent and founded upon the proven nature of His flawless declaration and decree. What God has decreed to do in our lives amid our trials and tribulations is based on His word.

When life is framed and built by the Word of God, then the outworking of His Word will be a reality in your life.

God transforms His people’s circumstantial situations based on the word of His mouth. For those who experience mental anguish, stress, restlessness, anxiety, depression, and despair, His Word assures us of its proven nature. We can find solace, tranquility, and peace during our problematic issues, as we trust in the power of God’s Word. Proverbs 12:25 (ESV) declares, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” The word of the Lord changes the atmosphere and environment of our dilemmas. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) states, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) mentions “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

His Word has been proven to bring peace, even during times of mental, emotional, and spiritual unraveling.

For those who may be battling a broken heart, God’s Word is proven. Psalm 34:18 (ESV) asserts, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 147:3 (ESV) is written “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Perplexing moments in life can shatter us, but God is near to tend to His people. Trusting God in moments of vulnerability highlights the strength of His Word. Psalm 12:6 (NKJV) states, “The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.” Why is this important to understand? It is best explained by John MacArthur as he stated, “The purity of God’s Person assures the purity of His promises.” ₂ His promises are proven, reliable, undefiled, and perfect.

David recalled that God had delivered him from difficult moments. David was a recipient of the word of God being accomplished in his life. Therefore, he could exclaim affirmation of His word being true and proven. He could firmly proclaim, “As for God, His way is perfect. The word of the Lord is proven.” Have you seen the evidence of God’s Word being accomplished in your life? Has He made a way when there seemed to be no way? Has He healed you from your infirmities? Has He protected you from dangerous encounters? His Word is proven that He takes care of His own. As John Calvin once said, “Let us, therefore, rest assured that God will actually show himself upright towards us, seeing he has promised to be the guardian and protector of our welfare, and his promise is certain and infallible truth.” ₃

God Is A Shield

David stated that following God’s path and trusting in His word results in divine protection. Psalm 18:30 (NKJV) implies “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” John Calvin concluded, “God never disappoints his servants, nor forsakes them in the time of need, but faithfully defends and maintains those whom he has once taken under his protection.” ₃ Proverbs 30:5 (NKJV) reiterates this truth by declaring “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” A shield is designed to block things intended as a means of attack. It is a defense mechanism to ward off and prevent harm. David avowed that God is our divine defender as we trust in His protective care. Many troubling situations can be avoided, and their damaging effects can be prevented if we simply trust God.

Trust of the believer is the spiritual element through which God operates on our behalf. When faith is placed in Him, it shields us from attacks.

This does not mean that we will not face struggles and trials, but it means that God will sustain us and keep us in the midst of unfavorable conditions. David placed his faith in God, and as a result, God acted as his protector. In Psalm 18:2, David affirmed that God was his shield. In Psalm 18:35, he inferred that God had given him the shield of Your salvation. He vividly described God as his shield from the hands of his enemies, from the pangs of death, from calamity, and from the sorrows of Sheol. His trust in God made him a beneficiary of God’s support. David’s trust in God showcased that God guarded his life.

In like manner, our trust in God moves Him to shield us from assailants. Psalm 3:3 (ESV) signifies “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” When trust is displayed, what should cause shame, disgrace, harm, pain, and worry is alleviated. William MacDonald alluded to the idea of a shield; the Lord gives complete protection from enemy assaults. As our glory, the Lord gives honor, dignity, and vindication in place of the shame, reproach, and slander that is meant to be heaped upon us. As the lifter of our head, the Lord encourages us in the midst of such adversity. ₄

It is crucial to trust in God in all circumstances in life. What do you need to be safeguarded from? Trust in the Lord, His way is perfect, and His Word is proven.

Notes

1. Barnes, Albert. “Commentary on Psalms 18:30”. “Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/​commentaries/​bnb/​psalms-18.html. 1870.

2. The MacArthur Study Bible

3. Calvin, John. “Commentary on Psalms 18:30”. “Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/​commentaries/​cal/​psalms-18.html. 1840-57.

4. The Believer’s Bible Commentary