Praying In The Dark Series

Praying in the Dark

Psalm 18

Rev. Brian Bill

August 2-3, 2025

I needed GPS to find my way back up here today! Let me explain where I’ve been the last three weekends. A couple months months ago, I asked the deacons if I could take some time off from preaching to expend extra effort on future planning. As a result, I scheduled other pastors on our team to speak during our “Summer in the Psalms” series.

Beth and I celebrated our 40th Anniversary three weeks ago. Two weeks ago, I had a blast teaching the Junior and Senior High students during the first service and then left quickly because Beth’s dad was in the ICU and had taken a turn for the worse. This past weekend, I was with Beth and her family as we gathered for her father’s funeral.

I engaged online for each service. Three weeks ago, I was deeply ministered to by Pastor Daniel and David Beebe, along with the Celebrate Recovery Team. Two weeks ago, I celebrated as Pastor Chris preached on repentance and how to pray for the prodigals in our life. Last weekend, I learned from Pastor Chad’s deep insights into Psalm 22. And several weeks ago, Pastor Kyle expertly tackled the topic of anxiety and depression by walking us through Psalm 13. Along with Pastor Ed and Pastor Dan’s preaching abilities, Edgewood has been blessed with high caliber pastors who revere God’s Word and have the ability to interpret and apply it to our lives.

It’s about time there’s been some good preaching around here!

In 2018, the world was captivated by the story of twelve teenage boys and their soccer coach, who were trapped deep inside an underground cave system in Thailand. Heavy rains had flooded the passageways, cutting off their exit. For nine days, they sat in total darkness, unsure if anyone even knew where they were.

They had no light, no food, and no idea how to escape. Then, out of the silence, a light pierced the darkness. Two divers emerged, shining their beams into the black cave. The rescue that followed was complex and dangerous. After 18 dark days, everyone was rescued. And when they reached the surface, the world rejoiced.

David knew what it was like to be surrounded by the darkness of a cold cave as described in Psalm 18. He also dealt with darkness in his own soul as he was hunted, hated, and hemmed in.

Think back to a time when God became very personal to you. As you recall the situation, was it during a time of trial and trouble or was it a period when everything was going great? My guess is you’ve sensed God’s closeness more during tough times and dark days then when everything was rosy.

I think of Andrew and Hannah Cato who read Psalm 18 over their baby son Barrett each night he was in the hospital. This has been Hannah’s favorite Psalm for a long time. I read the first part of this psalm to someone who was struggling just this week.

Psalm 18 is a song written by David as he gave glory to God for bringing him through some very dark days, as God delivered him from his enemies, from King Saul, and from his own son Absolom. Commentators suggest David was on the run for 8-10 years!

The words to this song can also be found in 2 Samuel 22. These lyrics were later expanded and used in public worship, which is what we have recorded in Psalm 18. It’s similar to a songwriter who writes a song out of private pain and then the song is picked up and sung by congregations around the world. Since it’s recorded twice, we should take double note of it.

We’re given a superscription, or an introduction, which provides the setting for David’s song: “To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said…”

A few things jump out. First, this Psalm is intended to be sung. Second, David is called the servant of the LORD. What a great reminder for us. We are saved to sing and to serve. Third, this was written to the Lord in praise for His attributes and His actions on David’s behalf.

We don’t have time to consider the entire Psalm because it’s the third longest one in the Psalter, but I hope you’ll take the time to dive in for yourself. We’ll spend most of our time on the first six verses and will touch on some highlights from the rest of the Psalm as an incentive for you to read and reflect on all 50 verses.