2 Samuel 22:8-18

8 “Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the heavens shook; they quaked because of his anger.
9 Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him.
10 He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet.
11 Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.
12 He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds.
13 A great brightness shone around him, and burning coals blazed forth.
14 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.
15 He shot arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were confused.
16 Then at the command of the LORD, at the blast of his breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.
17 “He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters.
18 He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.

2 Samuel 22:8-18 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 3

  • [a]. Hebrew a cherub.
  • [b]. As in some Hebrew manuscripts (see also Ps 18:10 ); other Hebrew manuscripts read appearing.
  • [c]. Or and lightning bolts.
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