2 Samuel 22:14-24

14 The Lord thundered from heaven; the Most High raised his voice.
15 He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies. His bolts of lightning confused them with fear.
16 The Lord spoke strongly. The wind blew from his nose. Then the valleys of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the earth were seen.
17 "The Lord reached down from above and took me; he pulled me from the deep water.
18 He saved me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me, because they were too strong for me.
19 They attacked me at my time of trouble, but the Lord supported me.
20 He took me to a safe place. Because he delights in me, he saved me.
21 "The Lord spared me because I did what was right. Because I have not done evil, he has rewarded me.
22 I have followed the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God.
23 I remember all his laws and have not broken his rules.
24 I am innocent before him; I have kept myself from doing evil.

2 Samuel 22:14-24 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.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.