2 Samuel 22:31-51

31 "God's way is perfect. The word of the LORD doesn't have any flaws. He is like a shield to all who go to him for safety.

32 Who is God except the Lord? Who is the Rock except our God?

33 God gives me strength for the battle. He makes my way perfect.

34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He helps me stand on the highest places.

35 He trains my hands to fight every battle. My arms can bend a bow of bronze.

36 Lord, you are like a shield that keeps me safe. You help me win the battle. You bend down to make me great.

37 You give me a wide path to walk in so that I don't twist my ankles.

38 "I chased my enemies and crushed them. I didn't turn back until they were destroyed.

39 I crushed them completely so that they couldn't get up. They fell under my feet.

40 Lord, you gave me strength to fight the battle. You made my enemies bow down at my feet.

41 You made them turn their backs and run away. So I destroyed my enemies.

42 They cried out for help. But there was no one to save them. They called out to you. But you didn't answer them.

43 I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth. I pounded them and walked on them like mud in the streets.

44 "You saved me when my own people attacked me. You have kept me as the ruler over nations. People I didn't know serve me now.

45 People from other lands bow down to me in fear. As soon as they hear me, they obey me.

46 All of them give up hope. They come trembling out of their hiding places.

47 "The LORD lives! Give praise to my Rock! Give honor to God, the Rock! He is my Savior!

48 He is the God who pays my enemies back. He brings the nations under my control.

49 He sets me free from my enemies. You have honored me more than them. You have saved me from men who want to hurt me.

50 Lord, I will praise you among the nations. I will sing praises to you.

51 You help me win great battles. You show your faithful love to your anointed king. You show it to me and my family 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.