2 Samuel 22:25-35

25 And so he rewards me because I do what is right, because he knows that I am innocent.

26 O Lord, you are faithful to those who are faithful to you, and completely good to those who are perfect.

27 You are pure to those who are pure, but hostile to those who are wicked.

28 You save those who are humble, but you humble those who are proud.

29 You, Lord, are my light; you dispel my darkness.

30 You give me strength to attack my enemies and power to overcome their defenses.

31 This God - how perfect are his deeds, how dependable his words! He is like a shield for all who seek his protection.

32 The Lord alone is God; God alone is our defense.

33 This God is my strong refuge; he makes my pathway safe.

34 He makes me sure-footed as a deer; ¹ he keeps me safe on the mountains.

35 He trains me for battle, so that I can use the strongest bow.

2 Samuel 22:25-35 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.

Cross References

• 1. 22.34Hebrews 3.19.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Probable text (see Ps 18.25)] those; [Hebrew] the strong.
• [b]. [Probable text (see Ps 18.32)] he makes; [Hebrew unclear.]