2 Samuel 22:31-37

31 “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
32 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?
33 It is God who arms me with strength[a] and keeps my way secure.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.
35 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
36 You make your saving help my shield; your help has made[b] me great.
37 You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.

2 Samuel 22:31-37 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 11

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 32:4; Matthew 5:48
  • 2. Psalms 12:6; Psalms 119:140; Proverbs 30:5-6
  • 3. S Genesis 15:1
  • 4. S 1 Samuel 2:2
  • 5. S 2 Samuel 7:22
  • 6. Isaiah 35:6; Habakkuk 3:19
  • 7. S Deuteronomy 32:13
  • 8. Psalms 144:1
  • 9. Psalms 7:12; Psalms 11:2; Zechariah 9:13
  • 10. Ephesians 6:16
  • 11. Proverbs 4:11

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Dead Sea Scrolls, some Septuagint manuscripts, Vulgate and Syriac (see also Psalm 18:32); Masoretic Text "who is my strong refuge"
  • [b]. Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text "shield;" / "you stoop down to make"
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