2nd Samuel Chapter 22

From The Open Bible Project

22:1 David spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:

• (a) In token of the wonderful benefits that he received from God.

22:2 and he said, "Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;

• (b) By the diversity of these comfortable means, he shows how his faith was strengthened in all temptations.

22:3 God, my rock, in him I will take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence.

22:4 I will call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from my enemies.

22:5 For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

• (c) As David (who was the figure of Christ) was by God’s power delivered from all dangers: so Christ and his Church will overcome most grievous dangers, tyranny and death.

22:6 The cords of [4] Sheol [See 2nd Samuel Footnotes 4] were around me. The snares of death caught me.

22:7 In my distress I called on Yahweh. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry [came] into his ears.

22:8 Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.

22:9 Smoke went up out of his nostrils. Fire out of his mouth devoured. Coals were kindled by it.

• (d) That is, clouds, and vapours.
• (e) Lightening and thundering.

22:10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.

• (f) So it seems when the air is dark.

22:11 He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he was seen on the wings of the wind.

• (g) To fly in a moment through the world.

22:12 He made darkness pavilions around himself: gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

22:13 At the brightness before him, coals of fire were kindled.

• (h) By this description of a tempest he declares the power of God against his enemies.

22:14 Yahweh thundered from heaven. The Most High uttered his voice.

22:15 He sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and confused them.

22:16 Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of Yahweh, At the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

• (i) He alludes to the miracle of the Red Sea.

22:17 He sent from on high and he took me. He drew me out of many waters.

22:18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

22:19 They came on me in the day of my calamity, but Yahweh was my support.

• (k) I was so beset, that all means seemed to fail.

22:20 He also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.

22:21 Yahweh rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.

• (l) Toward Saul and my enemies.

22:22 For I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

• (m) I attempted nothing without his commandment.

22:23 For all his ordinances were before me. As for his statutes, I did not depart from them.

22:24 I was also perfect toward him. I kept myself from my iniquity.

22:25 Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in his eyesight.

22:26 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.

22:27 With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.

• (n) Their wickedness is cause that you seem to forget your usual mercy.

22:28 You will save the afflicted people, But your eyes are on the haughty, that you may bring them down.

22:29 For you are my lamp, Yahweh. Yahweh will light up my darkness.

22:30 For by you, I run against a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall.

22:31 As for God, his way is perfect. The word of Yahweh is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

• (o) The manner that God uses to aid his own, never fails.

22:32 For who is God, besides Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God?

22:33 God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect.

22:34 He makes his feet like hinds' [feet], and sets me on my high places.

• (p) He uses extraordinary means to make me win most strongholds.

22:35 He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of brass.

22:36 You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness has made me great.

22:37 You have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.

22:38 I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn't turn again until they were consumed.

22:39 I have consumed them, and struck them through, so that they can't arise. Yes, they have fallen under my feet.

22:40 For you have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

• (q) He acknowledges that God was the author of his victories, who gave him strength.

22:41 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.

22:42 They looked, but there was none to save; even to Yahweh, but he didn't answer them.

• (r) The wicked in their time of need are forced to flee to God, but it is too late.

22:43 Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth. I crushed them as the mire of the streets, and spread them abroad.

22:44 You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people. You have kept me to be the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.

• (s) Meaning, of the Jews, who conspired against me.

22:45 The foreigners will submit themselves to me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.

• (t) Not willingly obeying me, but deceitfully.

22:46 The foreigners will fade away, and will come trembling out of their close places.

22:47 Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,

• (u) Let him show his power that he is the governor of all the world.

22:48 even the God who executes vengeance for me, who brings down peoples under me,

22:49 who brings me away from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.

22:50 Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations. Will sing praises to your name.

22:51 He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his seed, forevermore."