The Second Book of Samuel, otherwise called the Second Book of the Kings
2 Samuel 22
Chapter XXII · Vol. II, pp. 708–711
A psalm of thanksgiving for God's mighty deliverances, and manifold blessings.
1 And David aspake unto the LORD the words of this song1 in the day that the bLORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
B.C. 1017.
a Ps.18. title; 50.14; 103.1-6; 116.1-18. Ex.15.1-22.
1 There are two editions, so to speak, of this psalm, viz. here and Ps.xviii.; and there are two occasions correspondent: first, the deliverance from Saul; secondly, from all his enemies. Both are descriptive of the greater deliverance of Christ, David's great Son and Lord.—C.
b Ps.34.19. 2 Ti.4.18. 2 Co.1.10. Is.46.4. Job 5.19,20.
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
6 The fsorrows of hell3 compassed me about; the snares of death prevented4 me.
f Or, cords, Ps.116.3; 18.5. 1 Sa.18.21.
3 The Hebrew word sheol, like the Greek hades, both of which are generally translated 'hell' in the Bible, signifies simply 'the state of the dead,' without any reference or regard to locality. 'Hell,' therefore, according to our modern understanding of it, is a misinterpretation.—P.
4 Or, 'the cords of Hades entangled me; the snares of death entrapped me'—both allusions being taken from the art of the fowler.—I.
7 Ing my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God; and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
8 Thenh the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
9 Therei went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals5 were kindled by it.
13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
14 The nLORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
n Ps.29.3-9; 77.17,18; 50.3. Job 37.2-5.
16 And pthe channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered,7 at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
p Ex.14.21,27; 15.8,10. Jos.iii. Ps.9.5; 104.7; 114.3,5,7; 74.15; 77.16,18. Hab.3.6-13.
7 The thunder-cloud lowers, the tempest rushes from it in fury; the lightnings flash, the thunderbolts descend, the thunders roar; the waves rise mountain high.—I.
18 Hes delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me; for they were too strong for me.
s Ps.56.9; 3.7. 2 Co.1.10. 2 Ti.4.17,18.
19 Theyt prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
t Ps.118.5-13; 3.1-8; 4.1-3.
20 He ubrought me forth also into a large place:8 he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
u Ps.118.5; 116.7-9; 32.7; 71.20,21; 18.19; 91.15,16.
8 He had been straitened in dens and caves, and was afraid to go abroad, but now he 'walked at liberty.' There may also be a reference to the extent of his dominions and the greatness of his prosperity, contrasted with his former poverty and difficulties.—I.
21 The xLORD rewarded me according to my righteousness:9 according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
x Ps.7.3,4,8; 19.11. Ec.8.12. 1 Co.15.58. Is.3.10. Ro.2.7,10. Ep.2.10.
A.M. 2987. B.C. 1017.
9 That David is here, not describing himself, but the Christ, is obvious, when we compare these words with ch.12.13.—C.
22 For I have ykept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
y Ps.119.3,8,11. Lu.1.6. Phi.4.8. 2 Ti.4.7,8. Is.38.3.
23 For all his zjudgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
z Ps.119.11,60,120; 1.2; 16.8.
25 Thereforeb the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eyesight.
b ver.21. 1 Ti.4.8. Ps.1.1-3. Is.3.10. Ro.2.7,10. 1 Co.15.58.
26 Withc the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright.
27 Withd the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt eshow thyself unsavoury.
28 And fthe afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
30 For by thee I have hrun through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
h Or, broken a troop, Ps.118.10-12. Phi.4.13. Ro.8.37.
31 As for God, ihis way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
32 For kwho is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
k De.32.31,39. Is.45.22; 42.8; 44.6,8. Ps.86.8,10; 89.6,8.
34 He mmaketh my feet like hinds' feet;4 and setteth me upon my high places.
m Heb. equalleth, ch.1.23. Hab.3.19. De.32.13. Is.33.16. Ps.113.7,8. ch.7.8.
4 Not only is that animal proverbially swift, but it stands and leaps among high rocks and craggy precipices with ease and safety; and its hoofs are so hard that Virgil compares them to brass.—I.
35 Hen teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel5 is broken by mine arms.
n Ps.32.8; 108.13; 118.10-12; 144.1. Ro.8.31,37. Phi.4.13.
5 Rather of 'brass.' Some translate, 'and maketh my arms like a bow,' but as the ancient bow was not easily bent but with the feet (hence the phrase 'to tread the bow'), it was a great test of strength to be able not only to bend but to break it with the arms alone.—I.
38 Ir have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
39 And sI have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
s Ps.118.10-13; 110.1,5,6; 18.38. Mal.4.1,3.
40 For tthou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued8 under me.
43 Then ydid I beat them as small as the dust of the earth; I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44 Thou zalso hast delivered me from the strivings of my people; thou hast kept me to be heada of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
45 Strangers9 shall bsubmit1 themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be cafraid out of their close places.
c Heb. arm themselves, 1 Ki.20.11.
48 It is eGod that avengeth me, and that bringethf down the people under me,
f 2 Co.1.9,10. ch.v. viii. x. xviii. xx. 1 Sa.xviii.-xxxi. Ep.2.5,6.
49 And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: gthou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
50 Therefore hI will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.2
h Ps.ciii. cxvi. cxviii. cxlvi. Ro.15.9. Is.xii. xxv. xxvi.
2 Paul (Ro.15.9) applies this passage distinctly to Jesus the Messiah. And while ver. 51 speaks of David, let it be recollected that David in the Hebrew signifies beloved, so 'beloved' is one of the titles of Christ ascribed to him both on earth and from heaven. See Mat.3.17. Ep.1.6.—C.
Notes
Reflections.—Such as God has intended for great honour, or who follow Jesus into his kingdom, may be assured of meeting with many enemies by the way. But what was in the promise the object of our faith, will in the fulfilment become the matter of our praise. Behold what God is to his people! Everything they can need; everything they can enjoy. Happy those who can claim this infinite All, in every form, as their own. To awaken their importunity, and to magnify God's love and power in their deliverances, God's people are often reduced to the deepest distresses: and those whom he most delights in have the severest exercises of their faith and patience. But the sharper our trials let us call the more earnestly upon God. Perseverance in prayer will assuredly be crowned with deliverance—amazing deliverance! What a mercy is it to receive grace to watch and wrestle against the sins which do so easily beset us—to have the testimony of a good conscience—and to have God freely rewarding his own grace in us! Great is the advancement of God's people. And it is reasonable that God should have the glory of all that strength, success, or honour with which he hath blessed us: yea, the more God has done for us, the more good we may expect at his hands. And the more confidently should all our faith, our thanksgiving, and our joy centre in Jesus Christ our Lord.