The different genres throughout the Bible can make the scriptures more difficult to interpret. Yet, when we do our due diligence we come away even more amazed at how great our God is. In the 18th Psalm, David expresses his appreciation to God for delivering him from Saul, and he weaves in this beautiful poetry. 

Sometimes imagery can sink in more deeply than concepts, and I think that’s exactly what’s going on with David in verse 9. He says “[God] parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet.” Here we see this incredible picture of God coming himself, not an angel, not another messenger, but the God of creation. 

This captures so well the great lengths he goes to for us. When you’re hurting God’s hurting. When you’re afflicted, God is afflicted. But then this imagery goes one step further. 

To part the heavens and come down is the same prayer of Isaiah 64; it’s a cry for God to come and not just dwell among his people but to bring the heavens with him. It’s ‘your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.’ This truly is a preview of the second coming of Jesus - making all things new and freeing us at last from the presence of sin.