2 Samuel 22:31-51

31 [As for] God, his way [is] perfect; the word of the LORD [is] tried: he [is] a buckler to all them that trust in him.

32 For who [is] God, save the LORD? and who [is] a rock, save our God?

33 God [is] my strength [and] power: and he maketh my way perfect.

34 He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet]: and setteth me upon my high places.

35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.

36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet have not slipped.

38 I have pursued my enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.

39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they have fallen under my feet.

40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.

41 Thou hast also given me the necks of my enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.

42 They looked, but [there was] none to save; [even] to the LORD, but he answered them not.

43 Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I stamped them as the mire of the street, [and] spread them abroad.

44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me [to be] head of the heathen: a people [which] I knew not shall serve me.

45 Strangers shall submit themselves to me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient to me.

46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall tremble from their close places.

47 The LORD liveth; and blessed [be] my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.

48 It [is] God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,

49 And that bringeth me forth from my enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

50 Therefore I will give thanks to thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises to thy name.

51 [He is] the tower of salvation for his king: and [he] showeth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

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.