You delivered me from the strife of the people. You made me the head of nations. A people I did not know served me.
David moves from his personal deliverance to the expansion of royal authority. God not only saved him from internal conflicts, but also established him as a king who holds authority over nations. Historically, this refers to the expansion of David’s kingdom. Yet David’s kingdom was also part of the messianic line, and the New Testament sees the King expected from his lineage in Jesus Christ. We should not, without basis, directly label the message of this specific verse as being about Christ; however, it fits within the broader promise of the Davidic kingdom. For the believer, the main application is that God can, after deliverance, also give new responsibility. Salvation is often the beginning of service, not only a restful ending. When the Lord entrusts someone with greater influence or responsibility, the purpose is not to glorify that person, but to use that opportunity to serve God’s will faithfully.