David begins this psalm on a very high note saying, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust … I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Ps. 18:1–3).

But David looks back at the times of his distress when he called upon his God. David’s calling on the Lord intensified as he felt the pressures of his circumstances caving in on him. The word here in verse 1 for “distress” means “narrow or tight.” David illustrates his heart’s impressions with the language he uses. He was delivered from what weighed heavily on his soul.

David goes on in the psalm to describe the way in which his God delivered him. From David’s point of view, the Lord arose from His throne in heaven in response to his cry. David’s language is very expressive and touches not only one’s imagination, but especially one’s heart. David deeply appreciated the deliverance He experienced. We may not be as poetic as David, but our circumstances may weigh heavily on our hearts as his did. The Lord does not want us to bury the hurt and pain. He does not want us to pretend as if they do not exist. Our blessed Lord Jesus is able to identify with every hurt and every deep concern, as we are told in Hebrews 4:14–16. He is our great High Priest.

David describes a wonderful scene of deliverance, but by faith you and I are able to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” He is able and willing to deliver you, and His ears are open to hear your cry.