2 Samuel 22:31-51

31 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

32 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

33 God is my strong fortress, and He makes my way clear.

34 He makes my feet like those of a deer and stations me upon the heights.

35 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

36 You have given me Your shield of salvation, and Your gentleness exalts me. ^[a]

37 You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way.

38 I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed.

39 I devoured and crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.

40 You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me.

41 You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me.

42 They looked, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but He did not answer.

43 I ground them as the dust of the earth; I crushed and trampled them like mud in the streets.

44 You have delivered me from the strife of my people; You have preserved me as the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me.

45 Foreigners cower before me; when they hear me, they obey me.

46 Foreigners lose heart and come trembling ^[b] from their strongholds.

47 The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock! And may God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted—

48 the God who avenges me and brings down nations beneath me,

49 who frees me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.

50 Therefore I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name. ^[c]

51 Great salvation He brings to His king. He shows loving devotion to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.”

2 Samuel 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or and Your help exalts me or and You stoop down to make me great
• [b]. Some LXX manuscripts and Vulgate (see also Psalms 18:45); MT and arm themselves
• [c]. Cited in Romans 15:9