The big word in this hymn is the word deliverance:
(1) "He delivered me from my strong enemy and from them which hated me."
(2) "He delivered me, because he delighted in me."
(3) "Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people."
(4) "He delivereth me from mine enemies."
(5) "Thou hast delivered me from the violent man."
(6) "Great deliverance giveth he to his king."
The greater son of David is thus plainly seen as the grand theme and centre of this glorious song. CHRIST was hated by men but delivered by His GOD. GOD delivered Him because He delighted in Him.
The sorrows of the SAVIOUR may also be seen in this suggestive psalm:
(1) "The sorrows of death compassed me."
(2) "The floods of ungodly men made me afraid."
(3) "The sorrows of hell compassed me about."
(4) "The snares of death prevented me."
(5) "He drew me out of many waters."
(6) "The Lord was my stay."
Not only may the great distress and great deliverance of CHRIST be easily discerned in this delightful poem but the destruction of the wicked is also fully described.
(1) "Then the earth shook and trembled. . . he sent out his arrows, and scattered them. . . he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them."
(2) "I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them."
(3) "They are fallen under my feet."
(4) "Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies."
(5) "Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind."
(6) "I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets."
Finally, CHRIST is seen as the resurrected king and governor over all the earth.
(1) "He brought me forth also into a large place."
(2) "For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall."
(3) "Thou hast made me the head of the heathen."
(4) "A people whom I have not known shall serve me."
(5) "As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me."
(6) "The strangers shall submit themselves unto me."
(7) "It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me."
His fine song of fifty stanzas thus pictures not only David and Israel but David's greater Son and successor to the throne and heir of all the promises of GOD. This hymn is so deep, so broad, so long, and so high that a lifetime of study and research would fail to expound its beauties or exhaust its meaning.