2 Samuel 22

1

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

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 1. Spoke, and so forth By comparing this with the 17th Psalm, we may be convinced how much the Hebrew varies, particularly if we examine also the MSS. Kennicott specifies no less than 600 variations in this one canticle, and refutes the opinion of those who say that the 17th Psalm is a second edition, corrected by David’s own hand, as the MSS. frequently shew that inaccuracies of the printed copies. He has collated them with Walton’s Polyglott. The variations are not however all distinct from each other, sometimes twenty MSS. having the same various readings, and may of the relate to the letter v. See Diss. ii. p. 565. We shall give the explication in the order of the Psalms. The collation of parallel passages is of infinite advantage. Frequently ( Bible.) the words differ so as to explain one another.—Saul. He is specified as the most dangerous. David, by divine inspiration, thanks God for his deliverance from all his enemies, both corporal and spiritual, enjoying peace of mind on account of his sins being forgiven, and all his opponents repressed. Worthington.—This year, the thirty-seventh of David’s reign, was free from any commotion. Yet the king seems to have given way to a little vanity, on account of the many valiant men whom God had collected in his service; (Calmet. 23) and hence he consented to the unfortunate resolution of numbering his subjects. Salien, A. 3016.

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2

and he said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;

3

God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence.

4

I call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

5

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

6

The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death caught me.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Sheol is the place of the dead.

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7

In my distress, I called on the LORD. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry came into his ears.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 7. Temple. David was now busy in making preparations for it.

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8

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

9

Smoke went up out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it.

10

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

11

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

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 11. Upon. Cardell ( Menochius.) would translate the Hebrew “as in contest.”

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12

He made darkness a shelter around himself, gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

13

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

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 13. Kindled. The words abju abru seem to be wanting here, as they are found in Syr. Arab. and the Psalm. Kennicott would render this most striking image, “at the brightness of his presence his clouds removed; They kindled into colas of fire,” and so forth Diss. i.

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14

The LORD thundered from heaven. The Most High uttered his voice.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 14. Shall. Hebrew as well in the past tense. “The Lord thundered,” and so forth Bible.

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15

He sent out arrows and scattered them, lightning and confused them.

16

Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by the LORD’s rebuke, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 16. Overflowings. Hebrew “channels,” the waters receding as at the Red Sea, and at the passage of the Jordan.

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17

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

18

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

19

They came on me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support.

20

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

21

The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.

22

For I have kept the LORD’s ways, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 22. God. Perhaps David might have written this before his fall; or, if afterwards, his sincere repentance had restored him to his former state.

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23

For all his ordinances were before me. As for his statutes, I didn’t depart from them.

24

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

25

Therefore the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in his eyesight.

26

With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 26. Holy; treating all according to their deserts. Bible.

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27

With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.

28

You will save the afflicted people, but your eyes are on the arrogant, that you may bring them down.

29

For you are my lamp, LORD. The LORD will light up my darkness.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 29. Lamp. Hebrew Thair, “thou wilt light” my lamp, seems deficient; as it is found in some MSS. Syr. Arab. Psalms 17. and so forth Kennicott.

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30

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

31

As for God, his way is perfect. The LORD’s word is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

32

For who is God, besides the LORD? Who is a rock, besides our God?

33

God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect.

34

He makes his feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places.

35

He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.

36

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

37

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

38

I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn’t turn again until they were consumed.

39

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

40

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

41

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

42

They looked, but there was no one to save; even to the LORD, but he didn’t answer them.

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.

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.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 44. Me. Though David conquered some Gentiles, and some were converted to the true faith under the Old Testament, yet the fulness of the Gentiles belongs to the Church of Christ, the perpetual stability of which is here foretold, verse 51. Worthington.

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45

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

46

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

47

The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,

48

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

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.

50

Therefore I will give thanks to you, LORD, among the nations, and will sing praises to your name.

51

He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his offspring, forever more.”