2 Samuel 22:37-47

37 Thou enlargest my step under me, And mine ankles have not slidden.

38 I pursue mine enemies and destroy them, And I turn not till they are consumed.

39 And I consume them, and smite them, And they rise not, and fall under my feet.

40 And Thou girdest me [with] strength for battle, Thou causest my withstanders to bow under me.

41 And mine enemies -- Thou givest to me the neck, Those hating me -- and I cut them off.

42 They look, and there is no saviour; Unto Jehovah, and He hath not answered them.

43 And I beat them as dust of the earth, As mire of the streets I beat them small -- I spread them out!

44 And -- Thou dost deliver me From the strivings of my people, Thou placest me for a head of nations; A people I have not known do serve me.

45 Sons of a stranger feign obedience to me, At the hearing of the ear they hearken to me.

46 Sons of a stranger fade away, And gird themselves by their close places.

47 Jehovah liveth, and blessed [is] my Rock, And exalted is my God -- The Rock of my salvation.

2 Samuel 22:37-47 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.