2 Samuel 22:29-39

29 For thou art my lamp, O LORD, and the LORD gives light unto my darkness.

30 For in thee I have run through a troop; with my God I have gone over the walls.

31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is purified; he is a shield to all those that trust in him.

32 For what God is there except the LORD? Or who is a Strong One, except our God?

33 God is he who strengthens me with virtue; he who clears my way;

34 he who makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and he who sets me upon my high places;

35 he who trains my hands for war and causes my arms to break the bow of bronze.

36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy saving health, and thy meekness has multiplied me.

37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me so that my knees did not shake.

38 I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them and did not return until I had consumed them.

39 And I consumed them and wounded them, and they did not arise; they are fallen under my feet.

2 Samuel 22:29-39 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.