Shmuel Bais 22:31-51

31 As for G-d, His derech is tamim; the Word of Hashem is proven; He is a mogen (shield) to all them that trust in Him.

32 For who is G-d, save Hashem? And who is Tzur, save Eloheinu?

33 G-d is my ma’oz and power; and He maketh my derech perfect.

34 He maketh my feet like the feet of ayyalot (deer); and maketh me stand upon my high places.

35 He teacheth my yadayim for milchamah; so that a keshet nechoshah is bent by mine arms.

36 Thou hast also given me the mogen of Thy Salvation; and hath stooped down to make me great.

37 Thou hast enlarged my stride under me; so that my karsulayim do not slip.

38 I have pursued mine oyevim, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.

39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise; indeed, they are fallen under my raglayim.

40 For Thou hast girded me with chayil (strength) for milchamah (battle); them that rose up against me hast Thou caused to bow down under me.

41 Thou hast also given me victory over the necks of mine oyevim, that I might destroy them that hate me.

42 They looked, but there was no moshia; even unto Hashem, but He answered them not.

43 Then did I beat them as small as the aphar of eretz, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did scatter them abroad.

44 Thou also hast delivered me from the contentions of my people, Thou hast kept me to be Rosh of the Goyim; a people which I knew not shall serve me [Mt 28:19].

45 Foreigners shall submit themselves unto me; as soon as they hear, they shall be mishma’at (obedient) unto me.

46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their misgerot (strongholds).

47 Hashem liveth; and baruch be my Tzur; and exalted be the Elohei Tzur of my Salvation.

48 It is G-d that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the nations under me.

49 And that bringeth me forth from mine oyevim; Thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me; Thou hast delivered me from the ish chamasim.

50 Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, Hashem, among the Goyim, and I will sing praises unto Shimecha (Thy Name).

51 He is the migdal Yeshu’ot for His melech; and showeth chesed to His Moshiach, unto Dovid, and to his zera ad-olam.

Shmuel Bais 22:31-51 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 22

This chapter contains a song or psalm, the same with the eighteenth psalm, and which, according to Jarchi, was composed by David in his old age, and, as Kimchi says, at the end or close of his days; but Abarbinel is of opinion that it was written in his youthful time, in the midst of his troubles, and was sung by him as often as he had a deliverance from any; and which may account for the several variations in it from the eighteenth psalm, which, the same writer observes, are seventy four; and are not to be ascribed to the difference of copies, or neglect of copiers: and very probably, towards the close of his days, he revised it, and made it fit for general use, and sent it with the rest of his psalms to the chief musician; but the particular consideration of it, and of the differences in it from Ps 18:1-50 are referred to the exposition of that book in its course.