2 Samuel 22

David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin

2 Samuel 22

Guzik - David experienced the LORD’s deliverance: · God delivered David from Goliath. · God delivered David from Saul. · God delivered David from backsliding. · God delivered David from Israel’s enemies. · God delivered David from Absalom. · God delivered David from David’s own sinful passions. Anderson - His difficulties have given birth to a song, and this song comes in response to the Lord’s deliverance from the hand of all his enemies, and from the had of Saul. (You can’t sing in a storm until you have surrendered to his son.) when you stop and think about it, he has been delivered from a lot of enemies. He has been delivered from: Goliath, Saul, the Philistines, the Ammonites, the Syrians or northern tribes, the Edomites, the Moabites, the Amalekites, Abner and Ishbosheth, Nabal,Absalom, Sheba, Adonijah, Shimei, and a host of others. Boice gives a summary of the context/setting of this chapter - In that book, the psalm appears almost as David’s final words. Hence, it is a summary thanksgiving for God’s many deliverances of him through his long life of service. These deliverances fall into three categories. First, and most dramatic, there were the deliverances of David from King Saul during the long years David had to hide from him in the wilderness.... Second, God delivered David during his years of fighting against Israel’s enemies and gave him numerous victories. This was the period in which David established the kingdom. Second Samuel 8 lists David’s victories over the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans of Damascus, and Edomites. Third, God delivered David from the hand of his son Absalom. (Psalms Volume 1) 2 Samuel 22:2 He said, "The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer BGT 2 Samuel 22:2 καὶ εἶπεν κύριε πέτρα μου καὶ ὀχύρωμά μου καὶ ἐξαιρούμενός με ἐμοί LXE 2 Samuel 22:2 And the song was thus: O Lord, my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, KJV 2 Samuel 22:2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; NET 2 Samuel 22:2 He said: "The LORD is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer. CSB 2 Samuel 22:2 He said: The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, ESV 2 Samuel 22:2 He said, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, NIV 2 Samuel 22:2 He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; NLT 2 Samuel 22:2 He sang: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; NRS 2 Samuel 22:2 He said: The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, NJB 2 Samuel 22:2 He said: Yahweh is my rock and my fortress, NAB 2 Samuel 22:2 This is what he sang: I "O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, YLT 2 Samuel 22:2 and he saith: 'Jehovah is my rock, And my bulwark, and a deliverer to me, De 32:4 1Sa 2:2 Ps 18:2-50 Ps 31:3 Ps 42:9 Ps 71:3 Ps 91:2 Ps 144:2 Mt 16:18 Related Passage: Deuteronomy 32:4 “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. 1 Samuel 2:2 “There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 31:3 (DAVID) For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me. Psalm 42:9 (SONS OF KORAH) I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” Psalm 71:3 Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have given commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress. Numbers 20:8 “Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.” 1 Samuel 23:25-28+ (DAVID ESCAPED SAUL AT "SLIPPERY ROCK") When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David, and he came down to the rock (sela'; Lxx - petra) and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard it, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon. 26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to seize them. 27 But (GOD'S PROVIDENCE SAVED DAVID) a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.” 28 So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock (sela'; Lxx - petra) of Escape (aka "Slippery Rock"!). 1 Samuel 17:50+ Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David's hand. MY GOD IS MY ROCK, FORTRESS, DELIVERER He said, "The LORD is my Rock (sela'; Lxx - petra) - David's rise to the throne began with a small rock (more accurately a "stone" slung by David, but directed by God) that brought Goliath down (1Sa 17:50+). Later David fled from Saul in the Judean wilderness where he was kept safe in the rocky crags and caves in the rocks. In 1Sa 23:25-27, 28+ David barely escaped capture by Saul at "Slippery Rock (aka "Rock of Escape")!" It is notable that the first use of rock (sela'; Lxx - petra) is found in Nu 20:8+ which Paul teaches us symbolizes Christ, for all Israel "drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the ROCK was Christ." (1Cor 10:4+). The Hebrew word for rock in Exodus 17:6 signifies a low-lying bed-rock while the word in 2Sa 22:2 (and Nu 20:8) is a high and exalted rock. The rock often symbolized security and the defense of an impregnable refuge. God was David's rock Who gave security and safety CHS - The Lord is my rock and my fortress." Dwelling among the crags and mountain fastnesses of Judea David had escaped the malice of Saul, and here he compares his God to such a place of concealment and security. Believers are often hidden in their God from the strife of tongues and the fury of the storm of trouble. The clefts of the Rock of Ages are safe abodes.

2 Samuel 22

Guzik - In my distress I called upon the LORD: The enemy of our soul wants us to believe that we can’t call upon the LORD in our distress – as if we had to be right with God and sitting peacefully in a prayer chapel to pray rightly. David knew that God hears our distress signals. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown —He relates his methods to procure relief when distressed, and his success. temple—(Compare Ps 11:4 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.). And from His temple He heard my voice, And my cry for help (shavah; Lxx krauge) came into His ears - God in His temple in Heaven, heard David's cries on earth and He hears our cries beloved! The operation of prayer with God is immediate and personal! CHS - "He heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears." Far up within the bejewelled walls, and through the gates of pearl, the cry of the suffering suppliant was heard. Music of angels and harmony of seraphs availed not to drown or even to impair the voice of that humble call. The king heard it in his palace of light unsufferable, and lent a willing ear to the cry of his own beloved child. O honoured pray-er, to be able thus through Jesus' blood to penetrate the very ears and heart of Deity! The voice and the cry are themselves heard directly by the Lord, and not made to pass through the medium of saints and intercessors; "My cry came before Him;" the operation of prayer with God is immediate and personal. We may cry with confident and familiar importunity, while our Father himself listens. And my cry for help came into His ears A notable feature of David's "psalm" in this chapter is the description of Yahweh using anthropomorphism, which is the ascribing of human characteristics or actions to Yahweh. You might want to go back through the passages and see how many anthropomorphic descriptions you can identify and then come back and compare it to the list I will put at the bottom of this page. What is the anthropomorphism in verse 7? Here is the list of all the anthropomorphisms in this chapter. “I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply to rise within, Sinking to rise no more. But the Master of the sea, Heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me, Now safe am I. Love lifted me, love lifted me, When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.” Distress (trouble, affliction, tribulation) (06862) tsar from tsarar = to bind, tie up, be restricted, be cramped; see related tsarah) is a masculine noun indicating narrowness, tightness, distress, application, misery. It refers to a narrow space or object, not wide, with a small distance across it, this meaning being vividly depicted when the Angel of the Lord confronted Balaam and stood in such a narrow space that Balaam could not pass by (Nu 22:26). Tsar is used figuratively of the personal anguish one encounters in adverse circumstances; e.g. the great distress which comes from the death of a close friend (2 Sa 1:26) or from God's refusal to give help or direction (Job 7:11; cf 1 Sa 28:15; Isa 25:4; 63:9). Tsar describes a person's pain and distress; oppression, a feeling of being hemmed in (Dt 4:30; Job 7:11; 15:24). The Lord delivers the faithful from affliction and distress (Ps 4:1). Tsar describes oppressive political, economic, and military conditions suffered by a group, a people, or a nation (Jdg. 11:7). Tsar describes the threats and destruction that come on something, especially the Lord's house (1 Sa 2:32). It indicates conditions during times of judgment on Israel (Isa. 5:30). Tsar refers to the time, trouble, and effort given to consider an issue (Esth. 7:4). Tsar is used figuratively to describe an adulterous woman as a narrow well with no escape (Pr 23:27). Tsar depicts a cry of destruction as one of great anguish (Jer. 48:5). Affliction may cause a person to seek God (Hos. 5:15). Cry for help (07775)(shavah from shava'/sawa') The noun is used exclusively of humans who cry out to gods. When the Philistines were plagued by Yahweh after they seized the Ark of the Covenant after the defeat of the Israelites at Aphek, they raised their cries to heaven for deliverance (1Sa 5:12). All other occurrences involve one crying out to Yahweh in distress. (see verse below) The Septuagint uses boe in Ex 2:23 and it means a cry, an outcry or an exclamation as for help. The only NT use of boe is in (James 5:4+) In secular Greek boe referred to a loud cry, shout, a battle-cry, the roar of the sea, the sound of musical instruments, the cry of birds or beasts. Shavah - 7x in 7v - cry(6), cry for help(5). Exod. 2:23; 1 Sam. 5:12; 2Sa 22:7; Ps. 18:6; Ps 34:15; Ps 39:12; Ps. 40:1; Ps. 102:1; Ps. 145:19; Jer. 8:19; Lam. 3:56 QUESTION - What is an anthropomorphism? ANSWER - The word anthropomorphism comes from two Greek words, anthropos, meaning “man,” and morphe, meaning “form.” In theological terms, anthropomorphism is making God in some way into the form of man. Mostly, it is the process of assigning human characteristics to God. Human traits and actions such as talking, holding, reaching, feeling, hearing, and the like, all of which are chronicled throughout both the Old and New Testaments, are ascribed to the Creator. We read of God’s actions, emotions, and appearance in human terms, or at least in words we normally accept and associate with humans. In several places in the Bible, God is described as having the physical attributes of man. He “sets [his] face” against evil (Leviticus 20:6); the Lord will make “His face” to shine on you (Numbers 6:25); He “stretched out his hand” (Exodus 7:5; Isaiah 23:11), and God scattered enemies with His strong arm (Psalm 89:10). He “stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth” (Psalm 113:6). He “keeps his eye” on the land (Deuteronomy 11:12), the “eyes of the Lord” are on the righteous (Psalm 34:15), and the earth is His “footstool” (Isaiah 66:1). Do all these verses mean that God literally has eyes, a face, hands and feet? Not necessarily. God is spirit, not flesh and blood, but because we are not spirit, these anthropomorphisms help us to understand God’s nature and actions. Human emotions are also ascribed to God: He was “sorry” (Genesis 6:6), “jealous” (Exodus 20:5), “moved to pity” (Judges 2:18), and “grieved” over making Saul Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 15:35). We read that the Lord “changed His mind” (Exodus 32:14), “relented” (2 Samuel 24:16), and will “remember” when He sees a rainbow in the sky (Genesis 9:16). God is “angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11), and He “burned with anger” against Job’s friends (Job 32:5). Most precious to us is God’s love, in which He predestines us to salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5) and because of which He gave His only Son in order to save the world (John 3:16). Anthropomorphisms can be helpful in enabling us to at least partially comprehend the incomprehensible, know the unknowable, and fathom the unfathomable. But God is God, and we are not, and all of our human expressions are intrinsically inadequate in explaining fully and properly the divine. But human words, emotions, features, and knowledge are all that our Creator provided us, so these are all that we can understand in this earthly world at this time. Yet anthropomorphisms can be dangerous if we see them as sufficient to portray God in limited human traits and terms, which could unintentionally serve to diminish in our minds His incomparable and incomprehensible power, love, and mercy. Christians are advised to read God’s Word with the realization that He offers a small glimpse of His glory through the only means we can absorb. As much as anthropomorphisms help us picture our loving God, He reminds us in Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”gotquestions.org ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE DEITY - from Bob Utley This type of language (i.e., Deity described in human terms) is very common in the OT (some examples) Physical body parts eyes ‒ Gen. 1:4,31; 6:8; Exod. 33:17; Num. 14:14; Deut. 1:12; Zech. 4:10 hands ‒ Exod. 15:17; Num. 11:23; Deut. 2:15 arm ‒ Exod. 6:6; 15:16; Deut. 4:34; 5:15 ears ‒ Num. 11:18; 1 Sam. 8:21; 2 Kgs. 19:16; Ps. 5:1; 10:17; 18:6 face ‒ Exod. 33:11; Lev. 20:3,5,6; Num. 6:25; 12:8; Deut. 31:17; 32:20; 34:10 finger ‒ Exod. 8:19; 31:18; Deut. 9:10; Ps. 8:3 voice ‒ Gen. 3:9,11,13; Exod. 15:26; 19:19; Deut. 26:17; 27:10 feet ‒ Exod. 24:10; Ezek. 43:7 human form ‒ Exod. 24:9-11; Psalm 47; Isa. 6:1; Ezek. 1:26 the angel of the Lord ‒ Gen. 16:7-13; 22:11-15; 31:11,13; 48:15-16; Exod. 3:4,13-21; 14:19; Jdgs. 2:1; 6:22-23; 13:3-22 Physical actions (see examples) speaking as the mechanism of creation ‒ Gen. 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26 walking (i.e., sound of) ‒ Gen. 3:8; Lev.26:12; Deut. 23:14; Hab. 23:14 closing the door of Noah's ark ‒ Gen. 7:16 smelling sacrifices ‒ Gen. 8:21; Lev. 26:31; Amos 5:21 coming down ‒ Gen. 11:5; 18:21; Exod. 3:8; 19:11,18,20 burying Moses ‒ Deut. 34:6 Human emotions (some examples) regret/repent ‒ Gen. 6:6,7; Exod. 32:14; Jdgs. 2:18; 1 Sam. 15:29,35; Amos 7:3,6 anger ‒ Exod. 4:14; 15:7; Num. 11:10; 12:9; 22:22; 25:3,4; 32:10,13,14; Deut. 6:15; 7:4; 29:20 jealousy ‒ Exod. 20:5; 34:14; Deut. 4:24; 5:9; 6:15; 32:16,21; Josh. 24:19 loathe/abhor ‒ Lev. 20:23; 26:30; Deut. 32:19 Family terms (some examples) Father of Israel ‒ Exod. 4:22; Deut. 14:1; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; 64:8; Jer. 31:9; Hos. 11:1 of the king ‒ 2 Sam. 7:11-16; Ps. 2:7 metaphors of fatherly action ‒ Deut. 1:31; 8:5; 32:6-14; Ps. 27:10; Pro. 3:12; Jer. 3:4,22; 31:20; Hosea 11:1-4; Mal. 3:17 Parent ‒ Hosea 11:1-4 Mother ‒ Isa. 49:15; 66:9-13 (analogy to nursing mother) Young faithful lover ‒ Hosea 1-3 Physical objects used to describe YHWH a rock ‒ Deut. 32:37; 2 Sam. 22:2,3; Ps. 18:2 a fortress ‒ 2 Sam. 22:2; Ps. 144:2 a stronghold ‒ Ps. 18:2; 62:2; 144:2; see SPECIAL TOPIC: REFUGE a deliverer ‒ 2 Sam. 22:2; Ps. 144:2 a shield ‒ Gen. 15:1; 2 Sam. 22:3; Ps. 3:3; 18:2; 144:2; Prov. 30:5 a horn of salvation ‒ 2 Sam. 22:26; Ps. 18:2; 75:10 a mother bird ‒ Ps. 17:8; 36:7 (also note Deut. 32:10-11); 57:1; 63:7; 91:4 shadow ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADOW Reasons for the use of this type of language It is a necessity for God to reveal Himself to human beings. There is no other vocabulary than fallen, worldly words. The very pervasive concept of God as male is one example an anthropomorphism because God is spirit! God takes the most meaningful aspects of human life and uses them to reveal Himself to fallen humanity (father, mother, parent, lover). Though necessary at times (i.e., Ge 3:8), God does not want to be limited to any physical form (cf. Exodus 20:1-5; Deuteronomy 5:8) The ultimate anthropomorphism is the incarnation of Jesus! God became physical, touchable (cf. 1 John 1:1-3). The message of God became the Word of God (cf. John 1:1-18). For a good brief discussion, see G. B. Caird, The Language and Imagery of the Bible (borrow book), chapter 10, "Anthropomorphism," in The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, pp. 152-154 The Whispering Gallery In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. Psalm 18:6 Today's Scripture & Insight: Psalm 18:1–6, 16–19 In the towering dome of London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, visitors can climb 259 steps to access The Whispering Gallery. There you can whisper and be heard by another person anywhere along the circular walkway, even across the enormous abyss nearly one hundred feet away. Engineers explain this anomaly as a result of the spherical shape of the dome and the low intensity sound waves of a whisper. How we long to be confident that God hears our agonized whispers! The Psalms are filled with testimonies that He hears us—our cries, prayers, and whispers. David writes, “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help” (Psalm 18:6). Over and over again, he and other psalmists plead, “Hear my prayer” (4:1), my voice (5:3), my groans (102:20). Sometimes the expression is more of a whispered, “Hear me” (77:1), where the “heart meditated and [the] spirit asked” (77:6). In answer to these pleas, the psalmists—like David in Psalm 18:6—reveal that God is listening: “From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” Since the actual temple wasn’t yet built, might David have been referring to God listening in His heavenly dwelling? What do you long to whisper to God today? How can you know that He hears? Dear God, give me courage to whisper to You today, trusting You to hear and respond. The Listener In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice. — Psalm 18:6 Today's Scripture: Psalm 18:1-6 I read about a machine repairman who had an unusual knack for correctly diagnosing where the trouble was in faulty factory equipment. And he could fix it quickly. His co-workers noticed that he normally left the lunchroom 10 minutes early. One day someone followed him to see what he did before the others started working again. The repairman didn’t touch a wrench or screwdriver. Instead, while everyone else was gone and there was no sound of conversation, he stood in the middle of the large room, closed his eyes, and listened to the machinery. His ear caught every subtle sound, every click, every change in pitch or vibration. He could identify the first signs of a problem before it became apparent to others. It’s as if he knew each machine personally. God knows us personally and intimately. He monitors our thoughts and feelings all the time. As King David declared, we can be sure that when we cry out to Him, He hears us (Psalm 18:6). He hears the shouts and the groans of our hearts. He knows when we are “broken” or “out of tune.” And when we call on Him, He knows exactly what we need. What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! —Scriven God's help is only a prayer away. When The Ground Shakes In my distress, I called upon the Lord. — Psalm 18:6 Today's Scripture: Psalm 18:1-6 Several days after a devastating earthquake in the San Francisco area, a young boy was seen rocking and swaying on the school playground. His principal asked him if he was okay, and the boy nodded yes and said, “I am moving like the earth, so if there’s another earthquake I won’t feel it.” He wanted to prepare himself for another shaking of the ground. Sometimes after a trauma, we brace ourselves for what might be coming next. If we’ve had a phone call that brought bad news, every time the phone rings we feel panicky and wonder, What has happened now? The “ground was shaking” for the psalmist David after King Saul tried to kill him (1 Sam. 19:10). He ran and hid. He thought death was next and told his friend Jonathan, “There is but a step between me and death” (20:3). He wrote, “The pangs of death surrounded me, and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid” (Ps. 18:4). The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, A shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, A shelter in the time of storm. —Charlesworth To survive the storms of life, be anchored to the Rock of Ages. The Right Help In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; . . . my cry came before Him, even to His ears. —Psalm 18:6 Today's Scripture: Psalm 18:6-13 On a recent radio program, the hosts spoke with a “crisis management” expert about how a celebrity can recover from a public relations disaster. This specialist said one of the keys was to build strong allies who can help the star rehabilitate his or her image. In other words, it is vital when in trouble to get the right help. That is wise counsel, for at the heart of all crisis management is recognizing that we can’t accomplish everything on our own. Some challenges are too big. Some mountains are too high. In our own seasons of crisis, it is critical that we have help. That’s why it’s comforting to know that we have the strongest ally possible. King David knew about that ally. In Psalm 18:6, he affirmed, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” There is no greater help in our time of need than God. He alone can carry us through the trials and crises of life, and we have His word that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). When a crisis looms before you, Don’t face it on your own; Seek advice from godly counsel, And take it to God’s throne. —Sper Our greatest hope here below is to get help from God above. Open Arms In my distress I called to the Lord . . . . My cry came to his ears. 2 Samuel 22:7 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Samuel 22:1–7, 17–20 Saydee and his family have an “open arms and open home” philosophy. People are always welcome in their home, “especially those who are in distress,” he says. That’s the kind of household he had growing up in Liberia with his nine siblings. Their parents always welcomed others into their family. He says, “We grew up as a community. We loved one another. Everybody was responsible for everybody. My dad taught us to love each other, care for each other, protect each other.” When King David was in need, he found this type of loving care in God. Second Samuel 22 (and Psalm 18) records his song of praise to God for the ways He had been a refuge for him throughout his life. He recalled, “In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears” (2 Samuel 22:7). God had delivered him from his enemies, including King Saul, many times. He praised God for being his fortress and deliverer in whom he took refuge (vv. 2–3). When has God been your refuge? How can you help someone else run to Him? God, I’m grateful You’ve always been and will always be my secure place to land. Before the Phone In my distress I called to the Lord. Psalm 18:6 Today's Scripture & Insight: Psalm 18:1-6 As a mom of young children I’m sometimes susceptible to panic. My first reaction is to call my mom on the phone and ask her what to do with my son’s allergy or my daughter’s sudden cough. Mom is a great resource, but when I read the Psalms, I’m reminded of how often we need the kind of help that no mortal can give. In Psalm 18 David was in great danger. Afraid, close to death, and in anguish, he called on the Lord. David could say, “I love you, Lord” because he understood God was a fortress, a rock, and a deliverer (vv. 1-2). God was his shield, his salvation, and his stronghold. Maybe we cannot understand David’s praise because we have not experienced God’s help. It may be that we reach for the phone before going to God for advice and help. Surely God puts people in our lives to give us help and comfort. But let’s also remember to pray. God will hear us. As David sang, “From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears” (v. 6). When we go to God, we join David’s song and enjoy Him as our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer. Dear Lord, help me to remember You are my deliverer, and You always hear my cry. Prayer is the bridge between panic and peace. 2 Samuel 22:8 "Then the earth shook and quaked, The foundations of heaven were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry. BGT 2 Samuel 22:8 καὶ ἐταράχθη καὶ ἐσείσθη ἡ γῆ καὶ τὰ θεμέλια τοῦ οὐρανοῦ συνεταράχθησαν καὶ ἐσπαράχθησαν ὅτι ἐθυμώθη κύριος αὐτοῖς LXE 2 Samuel 22:8 And the earth was troubled and quaked, and the foundations of heaven were confounded and torn asunder, because the Lord was wroth with them. KJV 2 Samuel 22:8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. NET 2 Samuel 22:8 The earth heaved and shook; the foundations of the sky trembled. They heaved because he was angry. CSB 2 Samuel 22:8 Then the earth shook and quaked; the foundations of the heavens trembled; they shook because He burned with anger. ESV 2 Samuel 22:8 "Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations of the heavens trembled and quaked, because he was angry. NIV 2 Samuel 22:8 "The earth trembled and quaked, the foundations of the heavens shook; they trembled because he was angry. NLT 2 Samuel 22:8 "Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the heavens shook; they quaked because of his anger. NRS 2 Samuel 22:8 Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations of the heavens trembled and quaked, because he was angry. NJB 2 Samuel 22:8 Then the earth quaked and rocked, the heavens' foundations shuddered, they quaked at his blazing anger. NAB 2 Samuel 22:8 "The earth swayed and quaked; the foundations of the heavens trembled and shook when his wrath flared up. YLT 2 Samuel 22:8 And shake and tremble doth the earth, Foundations of the heavens are troubled, And are shaken, for He hath wrath! the earth: Jdg 5:4 Ps 18:7 77:18 97:4 Hab 3:6-11 Mt 27:51 28:2 Ac 4:31 foundations: Job 26:11 Na 1:5 Related Passages: Psalm 18:7 Then the earth shook and quaked; And the foundations of the mountains were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry. GOD'S DRAMATIC ANSWER TO PRAYER Then - Don't miss this one! Then marks progression in a narrative. In this case it is a song or psalm and what has David just declared as his state? In distress which prompted him to cry out and God heard. So what does then express? David is graphically expressing an instantaneous response from His loving, powerful heavenly Father. As

2 Samuel 22

Guzik - According to the cleanness of my hands: These words are one reason why many people believe David could only sing this psalm before his sin with Bathsheba. Yet the text seems to indicate that David sang this towards the end of his days, when the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies (2 Samuel 22:1). We might say that David simply believed what the prophet Nathan told him in 2 Samuel 12:13: The LORD also has put away your sin. David knew he was a forgiven man, and that the cleanness of his hands was because God cleansed them, not because they had never been dirtied.

2 Samuel 22

Guzik - David proclaims his confidence in the principle repeated in Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6, and 1 Peter 5:5: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. There is something in true humility that prompts the grace and mercy of God and there is something in pride and haughtiness that prompts His resistance and displeasure.. Humility isn’t necessarily a low opinion of self; it is a combination of an accurate opinion of self and simple self-forgetfulness. Humility is others-centered not self-centered. CHS - "For thou wilt save the afflicted people." This is a comforting assurance for the poor in spirit whose spiritual griefs admit of no sufficient solace from any other than a divine hand. They cannot save themselves nor can others do it, but God will save them. But Your eyes are on the haughty (prideful - Heb = rum - to be high, exalted) whom You abase (shaphel; Lxx tapeinoo - assign to lower place in order to humble) CHS - "But will bring down high looks." Those who look down on others with scorn shall be looked down upon with contempt ere long (ED: AND WORST OF ALL THE ONE WHO LOOKS DOWN ON THEM IS THE MOST HIGH GOD!). The Lord abhors a proud look. What a reason for repentance and humiliation! How much better to be humble than to provoke God to humble us in his wrath! A considerable number of clauses occur in this passage in the future tense; how forcibly are we thus brought to remember that our present joy or sorrow is not to have so much weight with us as the great and eternal future! Afflicted (06041)(ani) means poor, afflicted, weak, humble. An adjective meaning poor, afflicted. It refers to those who are suffering, in a state of poverty, oppression, misery from various causes: from being poor, needy (Ex. 22:25 - "If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you"); unfortunate, in want (Dt. 24:15; 2Sa 22:28; Job 24:4). They cry out for help and for their needs (Ps 9:12; 12:5; 37:14). Hope for deliverance is from the Lord (Ps. 69:29) Who "gives grace to the afflicted" (Pr 3:34; cf Pr 14:21). The 'ani are constantly abused by rich and oppressive leaders (Isa. 3:14; Amos 8:4; Hab. 3:14). God had commanded His people not to oppress the poor (Zech 7:10); for their true King is humble Himself (Zech. 9:9). Leonard Coppes - The ʿānî is primarily a person suffering some kind of disability or distress. (Gray, G. B., Isaiah, ICC, I, p. 310). The ʿānî, although frequently in synonymous parallelism with ʾebyôn and dal, differs from both in that it connotes some kind of disability or distress. In Deut 24:14–15 the hired servant is described as ʾebyôn and ʿānî. Israel is told not to oppress their hired servant by withholding the wages due him because he is ʿānî. Furthermore, if he is oppressed he may call on God his defender. We see that financially the ʿānî lives from day to day, and that socially he is defenseless and subject to oppression. Consequently, this word is used frequently in connection with ʾebyôn expressing the difficulty accompanying a lack of material possessions. The people are commanded to give alms to the ʿānî under sanction of God’s blessing (Deut 15:11). God instructs his people to grant loans to the ʿānî of Israel even when they have only their outer garment as collateral or pledge (see ʿābaṭ) and not to further afflict them by keeping that garment overnight because the ʿānî would need it to keep warm (Ex 22:25–26), for it was his only outer garment. In Lev 19:10 the ʿānî is classed with the stranger as having a right to the gleanings of the field. ʿānî is distinguished from dal (the poor) in Prov 22:22, “Rob not the poor (dal) for he is poor (dal), neither oppress the afflicted (ʿānî) in the gate.” God is set forth as the protector and deliverer of the afflicted, and he enjoins his people to be the same. So the one who complies is considered godly (Ezk 18:17), while those who do not are considered ungodly (Job 24:9; Prov 14:21; Isa 58:7). F. Hauck and S. Schulz argue that this much discussed word is “in the first instance a social and economic term like ʾebyôn, dal, rāš, ‘one who is in the position of a servant.’ It describes a man who has no property and who has thus to earn his bread by serving others” (TDNT, VI, p. 647). They allow that a more developed usage refers to lowliness, distress, reduced circumstances (ibid., 888). They argue that in the Pentateuch it refers to a man with no inheritance, to one wrongfully impoverished whom the Lord therefore especially protects. It is questionable if there is enough evidence to make these fine distinctions. The Pentateuch, on orthodox dating, was written when no Israelite had landed property, but all were to be given some in due time. The legislation does indeed envision times when people would become poor and would have to sell their land—until the jubilee. Many times these poor people would have been wrongfully impoverished; some times there were other factors. They were not to be discriminated against in judgment. God was their protector as he was the protector of the widow who was a widow through no one’s fault. But that the word refers to a particular social class rather than to a social condition seems questionable and difficult to establish. Material deprivation and the resulting difficulty are closely associated with social oppression. Social affliction is clearly in mind in Isa 3:14 and Ezk 18:17. So, God instructs his people to deal justly with the ʿānî (Isa 10:2). The king is especially charged with overseeing their rights forever (Ps 82:3). This word can also describe the one afflicted physically as with the Exile (Isa 51:21) or by sickness (Ps 88:15 [H 16]). Often physical affliction is closely tied to spiritual affliction, as in Ps 22:24 [H 25]. In many instances external affliction engenders inner affliction issuing in a cry to God for help (Ps 25:16; 34:6 [H 7]; 69:29 [H 30]). God’s people are frequently described as afflicted (Ps 68:10 [H 11]). God does not forget them (Ps 9:18 [H 19], 74:19). He has pity on them (Isa 49:13), saves them (Ps 34:6 [H 7]), delivers them (Ps 35:10) and bestows favors upon them (Ps 72:2, 4). Finally, the word is used in the sense of humble or lowly. It describes the Messiah in Zech 9:9. It is in contrast to the scoffers (Prov 3:34; cf. Jas 4:6) and the haughty (Ps 18:27 [H 28]; II Sam 22:28). Such a one has a contrite spirit (Isa 66:2), is God’s turtledove (Ps 74:19), trusts God (Ps 14:6), and is assured of deliverance (II Sam 22:28). ʿānî (afflicted) is often confused withʿānāw (humility), each being written for the other (or translated for the other as is reflected in the ASV and RSV). Perhaps this is an incidence of the famous yod-waw interchange (GKC, sec. 17c; Ernst Würthwein, The Text of the Old Testament, p. 72), although not necessarily so. This interchange appears frequently in the plural of the words. Isaiah seems to make no distinction between ʿānî and ʿānāw. (from TWOT) Ani - 72v - afflicted(42), afflicted one(1), humble(3), lowly(1), needy(2), needy and poor(1), oppressed(1), poor(19), poor man(2), who is humble(1), wretched(1). Exod. 22:25; Lev. 19:10; Lev. 23:22; Deut. 15:11; Deut. 24:12; Deut. 24:14; Deut. 24:15; 2 Sam. 22:28; Job 24:4; Job 24:9; Job 24:14; Job 29:12; Job 34:28; Job 36:6; Job 36:15; Ps. 9:18; Ps. 10:2; Ps. 10:9; Ps. 12:5; Ps. 14:6; Ps. 18:27; Ps. 22:24; Ps. 25:16; Ps. 34:6; Ps. 35:10; Ps. 37:14; Ps. 40:17; Ps. 68:10; Ps. 69:29; Ps. 70:5; Ps. 72:2; Ps. 72:4; Ps. 72:12; Ps. 74:19; Ps. 74:21; Ps. 82:3; Ps. 86:1; Ps. 88:15; Ps. 109:16; Ps. 109:22; Prov. 15:15; Prov. 16:19; Prov. 22:22; Prov. 30:14; Prov. 31:9; Prov. 31:20; Eccl. 6:8; Isa. 3:14; Isa. 3:15; Isa. 10:2; Isa. 10:30; Isa. 14:32; Isa. 26:6; Isa. 32:7; Isa. 41:17; Isa. 49:13; Isa. 51:21; Isa. 54:11; Isa. 58:7; Isa. 66:2; Jer. 22:16; Ezek. 16:49; Ezek. 18:12; Ezek. 18:17; Ezek. 22:29; Amos 8:4; Hab. 3:14; Zeph. 3:12; Zech. 7:10; Zech. 9:9; Zech. 11:7; Zech. 11:11 Abase (humble, make low) (08213) shaphel from Semitic root word which means to be low) means literally to be low or become low (to sink down). Most uses in the OT are figurative and mean to be humiliated or to be abased. To make humble, to humiliate; to bring down. Shaphel is used literally/figuratively of bringing down trees representing the powerful, influential people of a society (Isa 10:33); of humbling persons (Isa 2:9; 5:15); even a city (Isa 32:19). Shaphel describes being humiliated or placed lower (Pr 25:7; 29:23; Jer. 13:18). Shaphel describes a sound as being low in Eccl 12:4. In its causative sense, shaphel means to bring down (Ezek 17:24), to lay something low (Isa 25:12); to put lower (Pr 25:7); to humiliate (1Sa 2:7). God lowers or humbles Himself to observe the things of earth (Ps. 113:6). In the Septuagint (Lxx) shaphel is represented by the word group of tapeinos or tapeinoo. 2 Samuel 22:29 "For You are my lamp, O LORD; And the LORD illumines my darkness. BGT 2 Samuel 22:29 ὅτι σὺ ὁ λύχνος μου κύριε καὶ κύριος ἐκλάμψει μοι τὸ σκότος μου LXE 2 Samuel 22:29 For thou, Lord, art my lamp, and the Lord shall shine forth to me in my darkness. KJV 2 Samuel 22:29 For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. NET 2 Samuel 22:29 Indeed, you are my lamp, LORD. The LORD illumines the darkness around me. CSB 2 Samuel 22:29 LORD, You are my lamp; the LORD illuminates my darkness. ESV 2 Samuel 22:29 For you are my lamp, O LORD, and my God lightens my darkness. NIV 2 Samuel 22:29 You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. NLT 2 Samuel 22:29 O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD lights up my darkness. NRS 2 Samuel 22:29 Indeed, you are my lamp, O LORD, the LORD lightens my darkness. NJB 2 Samuel 22:29 Yahweh, you yourself are my lamp, my God lights up my darkness; NAB 2 Samuel 22:29 You are my lamp, O LORD! O my God, you brighten the darkness about me. YLT 2 Samuel 22:29 For Thou art my lamp, O Jehovah, And Jehovah doth lighten my darkness. lamp: Job 29:3 Ps 27:1 Ps 84:11 Joh 8:12 Rev 21:23 illumines: Ps 4:6 Ps 18:28 Ps 97:11 112:4 Isa 50:10 Isa 60:19,20 Mic 7:9 Mal 4:2 Joh 12:46 Related Passages: Psalms 27:1+ A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalms 84:11+ For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 119:105 Nun. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” Revelation 21:23+ And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 1 John 1:5; 6 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; THE ETERNAL LIGHT THAT NEVER BURNS OUT Kirkpatrick - After celebrating God’s goodness in delivering him from all the dangers which threatened his life, David goes on to describe how God had made him victorious over all his enemies. For You are my lamp, O LORD; And the LORD illumines my darkness - You (thou in KJV) is emphatic as if to say, I can fully confide in You for help. Remember the "Every Ready Battery" advertisement and the "Energizer Bunny" symbolizing the battery power that never fails. We have an energizing God (His Spirit), Who in His infinite omnipotence is ever ready to illumine our darkness, especially our times of spiritual darkness when the way we are to go is obscured by doubt or despair. He is our Light in that darkness as we run to Him and rest in Him, in His perfect timing, His perfect ways. Sounds easy, but it is always a walk of faith (2Cor 5:7), trusting that He will light the way in which we are to walk, saying "This is the way, walk ye in it" (Isa 30:21, cf 2Ch 6:27). David could well say to the Lord, “You light up my life.” Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — To give one light is to make prosperous (Job 18:5, 6; 21:17). Goettsche - When we are in the darkness it confuses our senses. It is easy to be disoriented (who of us haven’t gotten up in the night and banged our shin against some object?) In the darkness we often become fearful. Strange sounds combined with a vivid imagination can terrify. However, when we turn on the light, the confusion goes away. John wrote, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all”. (1 John 1:5) Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) The Bible describes non-Christians as those who are in darkness. They are lost, confused, and aimless in life. The light of the Lord makes it possible for us to see. In Psalm 119 David wrote that the Word of God is a “lamp to our feet and a light for our path”. In this Psalm David says “the Word of the Lord is flawless” David had come to understand that God’s word is an infallible guide. The Bible is given to us as God’s infallible GPS. If we will follow His directions we will arrive at our destination. David learned throughout his life that when he did what God told him to do he found blessing. When he ignored the directions, he became lost. The same is true for us. The things we tend to turn to for guidance in life will fall short. People will disappoint and deceive you. Our conscience is warped. Academia is biased. Our feelings are fickle. Other religions fall short of answering life’s basic questions. None of these things are reliable guides for our lives. Only the Lord Himself can give us light. Only the Word of God is an infallible guide. It alone is the light that will not grow dim. If we want to live with direction and purpose we need to follow His light. CHS - "For thou wilt light my candle." Even the children of the day sometimes need candle-light. In the darkest hour light will arise; a candle shall be lit, it will be comfort such as we may fittingly use without dishonesty—it will be our own candle; yet God himself will find the holy fire with which the candle shall burn; our evidences are our own, but their comfortable light is from above. Candles which are lit by God the devil cannot blow out. All candles are not shining, and so there are some graces which yield no present comfort; but it is well to have candles which may by and by be lit, and it is well to possess graces which may yet afford us cheering evidences. The metaphor of the whole verse is founded upon the dolorous nature of darkness and the delightfulness of light; "truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun;" and even so the presence of the Lord removes all the gloom of sorrow, and enables the believer to rejoice with exceeding great joy. The lighting of the lamp is a cheerful moment in the winter's evening, but the lifting up of the light of God's countenance is happier far. It is said that the poor in Egypt will stint themselves of bread to buy oil for the lamp, so that they may not sit in darkness; we could well afford to part with all earthly comforts if the light of God's love could but constantly gladden our souls. Vos points out, “As David faced his many enemies, God made his darkest light, lifted him out of a condition of weakness and depression, and caused the light of his salvation or victory to shine on him.” (Borrow 1, 2 Samuel : Bible study commentary) Greater than the Mess You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. 2 Samuel 22:29 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Samuel 22:26-37 A major theme of the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel could easily be “Life is a mess!” It has all the elements of a blockbuster TV miniseries. As David sought to establish his rule as king of Israel, he faced military challenges, political intrigue, and betrayal by friends and family members. And David himself was certainly not without guilt as his relationship with Bathsheba clearly showed (chs. 11–12). Yet near the end of 2 Samuel we find David’s song of praise to God for His mercy, love, and deliverance. “You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light” (2Sa 22:29). In many of his difficulties, David turned to the Lord. “With your help I can advance against a troop [run through a barricade]; with my God I can scale a wall” (v. 30). Perhaps we identify with David’s struggles because he, like us, was far from perfect. Yet he knew that God was greater than the most chaotic parts of his life. With David we can say, “As for God, his way is perfect: the Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him” (v. 31). And that includes us! Lord, we cannot read about the failures and difficulties of others without being reminded of our own. We bring them all to You, seeking forgiveness and Your power for a fresh start. It’s not too late to make a fresh start with God. Light in the Dark You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:28 Today's Scripture & Insight: Psalm 18:28–36, 46–49 A severe thunderstorm passed through our new town, leaving high humidity and dark skies in its wake. I took our dog, Callie, for an evening stroll. The mounting challenges of my family’s cross-country move grew heavier on my mind. Frustrated by the countless ways things had strayed so far from our high hopes and expectations, I slowed to let Callie sniff the grass. I listened to the creek that runs beside our house. Tiny lights flashed on and off while hovering over the patches of wildflowers climbing up the creek’s bank. Fireflies. The Lord wrapped me in peace as I watched the blinking lights cutting through the darkness. I thought of the psalmist David singing, “You, Lord, keep my lamp burning” (Psalm 18:28). Proclaiming that God turns his darkness into light, David demonstrated confident faith in the Lord’s provision and protection (Ps 18:29–30). With God’s strength, he could handle anything that came his way (Ps 18:32–35). Trusting the living Lord to be with him through all circumstances, David promised to praise Him among the nations and sing the praises of His name (Ps 18:36–49). What verses help you trust God’s constant presence? How can relying on God’s sovereign goodness help you walk through storms with confident faith? Father, please help me trust Your goodness and love even when I sometimes can’t see You in the dark circumstances in life. Our Guiding Light You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. 2 Samuel 22:29 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Samuel 22:26–30 At a museum, I lingered near a display of ancient lamps. A sign revealed they were from Israel. Decorated with carved designs, these oval-shaped clay vessels had two openings—one for fuel, and one for a wick. Although the Israelites commonly used them in wall alcoves, each was small enough to fit in the palm of a person’s hand. Perhaps a little light like this inspired King David to write a praise song in which he said, “You Lord are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light” (2 Samuel 22:29). David sang these words after God gave him victory in battle. Rivals from both inside and outside his own nation had been stalking him, intending to kill him. Because of his relationship with God, David didn’t cower in the shadows. He moved forward into enemy confrontations with the confidence that comes from God’s presence. With God helping him, he could see things clearly so he could make good decisions for himself, his troops, and his nation. Why can you trust God to help you with your fears? What can you do to seek God’s guidance in your life? God, please assure me of Your presence when I’m afraid. Help me to remember that You’ve defeated spiritual darkness through Your death and resurrection. 2 Samuel 22:30 "For by You I can run upon a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. BGT 2 Samuel 22:30 ὅτι ἐν σοὶ δραμοῦμαι μονόζωνος καὶ ἐν τῷ θεῷ μου ὑπερβήσομαι τεῖχος LXE 2 Samuel 22:30 For by thee shall I run as a girded man, and by my God shall I leap over a wall. KJV 2 Samuel 22:30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. NET 2 Samuel 22:30 Indeed, with your help I can charge against an army; by my God's power I can jump over a wall. CSB 2 Samuel 22:30 With You I can attack a barrier, and with my God I can leap over a wall. ESV 2 Samuel 22:30 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. NIV 2 Samuel 22:30 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. NLT 2 Samuel 22:30 In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. NRS 2 Samuel 22:30 By you I can crush a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. NJB 2 Samuel 22:30 with you I storm the rampart with my God I can scale any wall. NAB 2 Samuel 22:30 For with your aid I run against an armed band, and by the help of my God I leap over a wall. YLT 2 Samuel 22:30 For by Thee I run -- a troop, By my God I leap a wall. run through: or, broken, Ps 18:29 118:10-12 Ro 8:37 Php 4:13 CHS - Verses 29-45. Some repetitions are not vain repetitions. Second thoughts upon God's mercy should be and often are the best. Like wines on the lees our gratitude grows stronger and sweeter as we meditate upon divine goodness. The verses which we have now to consider are the ripe fruit of a thankful spirit; they are apples of gold as to matter, and they are placed in baskets of silver as to their language. They describe the believer's victorious career and his enemies' confusion. Kirkpatrick suggests that "Two memorable events in David’s life seem to be here alluded to: the successful pursuit of the predatory “troop” of Amalekites which had sacked Ziklag (1 Samuel 30) and the capture of Zion, effected with such ease that he seemed to have leapt over the walls which its defenders trusted were impregnable (2Sa 5:6-8)." For by You I can run upon a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall - Note the pattern - God's provision (by You), David's response (I can run) (David's responsibility). The only way David could run upon a troop or leap over a wall was by the power of God (the Spirit). Note David did not say "Let go, let God," but more accurately (and Biblical) said in effect "Let God, let's go!" God's part, David's (our) part. See the "Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible" (100/100). Notice this pattern in the well known verse Philippians 4:13+ "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Can you see your part (I)? And what is God's part (Him...me)? CHS - For by thee have I run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall." Whether we meet the foe in the open field or leap upon them while they lurk behind the battlements of a city, we shall by God's grace defeat them in either case; if they hem us in with living legions, or environ us with stone walls, we shall with equal certainty obtain our liberty. Such feats we have already performed, hewing our way at a run through hosts of difficulties, and scaling impossibilities at a leap. God's warriors may expect to have a taste of every form of fighting, and must by the power of faith determine to quit themselves like men; but it behoves them to be very careful to lay all their laurels at Jehovah's feet, each one of them saying, "by my God" have I wrought this valiant deed. Our spolia optima, the trophies of our conflicts, we hereby dedicate to the God of Battles, and ascribe to him all glory and strength. Guzik - David knew the principle of Ephesians 6:10 long before Paul penned the words: Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. God has a resource of power (His might) that He makes available to us by faith. We don’t have to be strong in our might, but we can be strong in His might. 2 Samuel 22:31 "As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. BGT 2 Samuel 22:31 ὁ ἰσχυρός ἄμωμος ἡ ὁδὸς αὐτοῦ τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου κραταιόν πεπυρωμένον ὑπερασπιστής ἐστιν πᾶσιν τοῖς πεποιθόσιν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ LXE 2 Samuel 22:31 As for the Mighty One, his way is blameless: the word of the Lord is strong and tried in the fire: he is a protector to all that put their trust in him. KJV 2 Samuel 22:31 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. NET 2 Samuel 22:31 The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the LORD's promise is reliable; he is a shield to all who take shelter in him. CSB 2 Samuel 22:31 God-- His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. ESV 2 Samuel 22:31 This God-- his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. NIV 2 Samuel 22:31 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. NLT 2 Samuel 22:31 "God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. NRS 2 Samuel 22:31 This God-- his way is perfect; the promise of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. NJB 2 Samuel 22:31 This God, his way is blameless; the word of Yahweh is refined in the furnace, for he alone is the shield of all who take refuge in him. NAB 2 Samuel 22:31 God's way is unerring; the promise of the LORD is fire-tried; he is a shield to all who take refuge in him." I YLT 2 Samuel 22:31 God! Perfect is His way, The saying of Jehovah is tried, A shield He is to all those trusting in Him. his way: De 32:4 Da 4:37 Mt 5:48 Rev 15:3 the word: Ps 12:6 Ps 18:30 Ps 119:140 Pr 30:5 a shield: 2Sa 22:3 Ps 35:2 91:4 2:7 Related Passage: Matthew 5:48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Psalms 119:140 Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it. Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. THE PERFECT GOD & PERFECT WORD As for God, His way is blameless (tamim having integrity; Lxx - amomos) - God is without defect or blemish. He is perfect. The Lxx translates blameless with amomos which Peter uses in 1Pe 1:19+ to explain we were redeemed with the "precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished (amomos) and spotless, the blood of Christ." Anderson - As David looks back over his long and stressful life, he can make a summary statement that carries a powerful impact: “As for God, His way is perfect.” (It’s my ways that have made the messes in my life.) The difficulties in our lives are the results of missing this perfect way which David has described. CHS - "As for God, his way is perfect." Far past all fault and error are God's dealings with his people; all his actions are resplendent with justice, truth, tenderness, mercy, and holiness. Every way of God is complete in itself, and all his ways put together are matchless in harmony and goodness. Is it not very consolatory to believe that he who has begun to bless us will perfect his work, for all his ways are "perfect." Nor must the divine "word" be without its song of praise. The word of the LORD is tested - Tested like pure gold, with no taint of earthly dross, tested by fire to prove the metal is genuine. In Ps 12:6+ David writes "The words of the LORD are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times." CHS - "The word of the Lord is tried," like silver refined in the furnace. The doctrines are glorious, the precepts are pure, the promises are faithful, and the whole revelation is superlatively full of grace and truth. David had tried it, thousands have tried it, we have tried it, and it has never failed. It was meet that when way and word had been extolled, the Lord himself should be magnified; hence it is added, He is a shield (see magen) to all who take refuge (chasah) in Him - He is our Protector which is the function of a shield. Take a moment and praise Him as "The Protector of Your Soul." Thank You Jesus. Amen. Ephesians 6:16+ "in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." In 2Sa 22:31 the Septuagint translates take refuge (chasah) with peitho (in the perfect tense) meaning all who come to a settled persuasion, are persuaded, or have become convinced and are certain concerning some truth or fact. Here the idea would be steadfast confidence in God and for those He is their shield, their Protector. CHS - "He is a Buckler (shield) to all those that trust in him." No armour of proof or shield of brass so well secures the warrior as the covenant God of Israel protects his warring people. He himself is the buckler of trustful ones; what a thought is this! What peace may every trusting soul enjoy! The Lord, He is our sun and shield, Our buckler and our guard, And hence we stand and will not yield, Though enemies press hard. Like as a shield the blow keeps off The enemy lays on, So He prevents all hurt to us, And saves us every one. Let foes strike at us as they please, Upon the head or heart; This precious shield which we do use Secures us every part. From sin, from Satan and the world No art we need to fear, Since Thou art such a shield to us, Our God and Savior dear! Our shield and our great reward, To Thee all praise be given; Who with Thy saving help afford Until we come to Heaven. Take refuge (seek shelter in) (02620) (chasah) eans to flee for protection. The picture is that of one who confides or puts their trust in another (usually God - see 36 uses below). The verb can mean to put trust in or have hope in (this would be one's attitude or mindset) but can also mean to flee for protection to (this would be one's action consistent with a mind that trusted & hoped in God). God is ever the sole refuge of His people and trust in Him protects the "trustee!" It is always better to trust in God rather than to trust (batah) in princes (Ps 118:8-9). With one exception (Isa 30:2) chasah refers to the Lord as the One in Whom refuge is sought and is portrayed by various metaphors - Rock (Dt 32:37, 2Sa 22:3, Ps 18:2), Wings (cp a "mother hen" protecting her chicks Ru 2:12, Ps 36:7, Ps 57:1, Ps 61:4, Ps 91:4), Shield (Ps 144:2, 2Sa 22:31, Ps 18:30, Pr 30:5 - paralleled with the "Word of God"), at God's "right hand" (Ps 17:7), Those who take refuge in Jehovah are those who fear (reverential awe and respect) Him (Ps 31:19), those who are His servants (Ps 34:22, 64:10), those who trust in God rather than men (Ps 118:8,9), the righteous (Pr 14:32), afflicted (Isa 14:32), "a humble and lowly people" (Zeph 3:12). To seek refuge" stresses the insecurity and helplessness of even the "strongest" individual. The result of taking refuge in God is to be "blessed" (Ps 2:12), to be "saved" (Ps 17:7), experience joy (Ps 5:11), experience and possess His "great goodness" (Ps 31:19), become inheritors of "the land" (Isa 57:13). THOUGHT - Do we recall to our minds the greatness of our sovereign, omnipotent Creator and Sustainer, so that when times of affliction and testing come we are fully convinced of His ability to protect us and we run to Him for refuge without hesitation? Let us ever turn first to Him and may the Spirit enable us to recall our past deliverances by the mighty hand of our Deliverer (Ps 18:2 40:17, 70:5, 144:2) so that we do not waver in unbelief when the storm comes but instead run confidently into our Rock of Refuge. How do we take refuge in Him? (1). Know His Word (2). Heed His Word like Noah did in Heb 11:7. God does not stutter or equivocate. He speaks very clearly concerning His will for men. Our part is to hide ourselves ("take refuge") in that true word. It is close to the idea of taking up the shield of faith in Eph 6:16 (believing what God has promised is true...e.g., that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure...the truth is if we are falling to a repetitive temptation, we need to be very circumspect...it is probably because we want to fall into the passing pleasures of sin! Fall into the Cleft of the Rock (1 Co 10:4) instead...and be shielded from the fiery trials even though the fire is heated extremely hot (Da 3:22, Isa 43:2.) 2 Samuel 22:32 "For Who is God, besides the LORD? And Who is a Rock, besides our God? BGT 2 Samuel 22:32 τίς ἰσχυρὸς πλὴν κυρίου καὶ τίς κτίστης ἔσται πλὴν τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν LXE 2 Samuel 22:32 Who is strong, but the Lord? and who will be a Creator except our God? KJV 2 Samuel 22:32 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? NET 2 Samuel 22:32 Indeed, who is God besides the LORD? Who is a protector besides our God? CSB 2 Samuel 22:32 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is a rock? Only our God. ESV 2 Samuel 22:32 "For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? NIV 2 Samuel 22:32 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? NLT 2 Samuel 22:32 For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? NRS 2 Samuel 22:32 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? NJB 2 Samuel 22:32 For who is God but Yahweh, who is a rock but our God: NAB 2 Samuel 22:32 "For who is God except the LORD? Who is a rock save our God? YLT 2 Samuel 22:32 For who is God save Jehovah? And who a Rock save our God? For Who: De 32:31,39 1Sa 2:2 Isa 44:6,8 45:5,6,21 Jer 10:6,7,16 a Rock: 2Sa 22:2-3 2 Samuel 22:32-37 recounts the praise of Jehovah the Giver of every victory in the believer's life. For Who is God (El), besides the LORD? Answer? No one! Isaiah 43:11 "I, even I, am the LORD; And there is no savior besides Me." The Septuagint translated "For Who is God" as "Who is strong (ischuros) but the Lord. and who will be a Creator except our God?" And Who is a Rock (tsur), besides our God - See comments on Rock in 2Sa 22:2-3. Here the Hebrew for Rock is translated with ktistes which Creator (only used in 1Pe 4:19). CHS - Having mentioned his God, the psalmist's heart burns, and his words sparkle; he challenges heaven and earth to find another being worthy of adoration or trust in comparison with Jehovah. His God, as Matthew