2 Samuel 22:21-31

21 The LORD rewarded me because of my righteousness, because my hands are clean. He paid me back

22 because I have kept the ways of the LORD and I have not wickedly turned away from my God,

23 because all his judgments are in front of me and I have not turned away from his laws.

24 I was innocent as far as he was concerned. I have kept myself from guilt.

25 The LORD paid me back because of my righteousness, because he can see that I am clean.

26 [In dealing] with faithful people you are faithful, with innocent warriors you are innocent,

27 with pure people you are pure. [In dealing] with devious people you are clever.

28 You save humble people, but your eyes bring down arrogant people.

29 O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD turns my darkness into light.

30 With you I can attack a line of soldiers. With my God I can break through barricades.

31 God's way is perfect! The promise of the LORD has proven to be true. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

2 Samuel 22:21-31 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.