2 Samuel 22

James Montgomery Boice · Citado em PreceptAustin

2 Samuel 22

Boice - Psalm 18 is a thanksgiving song. (I discussed the various genres of psalms in the last chapter, listing hymns, laments, thanksgiving psalms, psalms of confidence, psalms of remembrance, wisdom psalms, and kingship psalms. = Borrow Tremper Longman III, How to Read the Psalms 19–36.) It follows naturally upon Psalm 17, which is a lament. Thanksgiving psalms seem to follow laments. In his lament David described himself as being surrounded by callous enemies who were intent on his destruction. They were like lions “hungry for prey” (v. 12). He cried out for deliverance, and at the end of the psalm he is found confidently expecting that God will come to his aid. In Psalm 18 we find David looking back over a lifetime of such saving interventions by God and praising him for them. At the same time, Psalm 18 is also a kingship psalm. It is a rehearsal of God’s many blessings on the king and his kingdom. This means that it could have been sung, not only by David, but by anyone who had experienced the blessings of David’s rule or the rule of many who later followed him to the throne. Some of the kingship psalms have elements that look beyond the earthly king to God’s promised Messiah. That is the case here. In fact, we have biblical justification for seeing the psalm this way, since in his letter to the Romans the apostle Paul quotes verse 49 as the first of four prophecies to show that Christ came for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews (Rom. 15:9). (Ibid) Swindoll, when he outlines this particular song, says, “David sums up his life in four themes: 1. When TIMES ARE THOUGH, the Lord is our only SECURITY. 2. When DAYS ARE DARK, the Lord is our only LIGHT. 3. When our WALK IS WEAK, the Lord is our only STRENGTH. 4. When our FUTURE IS FOGGY, the Lord is our only HOPE. Andrae Crouch captures the truth of the song that David has written in his song entitled “Through It All.” “I’ve had many tears and sorrow, I’ve had questions for tomorrow. There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong. But in every situation, God gave blessed consolation That my trials come to only make me strong Anderson divides this song as follows... 1. WHO IS HE – verses 1-4 2. WHAT HE HAS DONE – verses 5-20 3. HOW HE SEES ME – verses 21-28 4. WHAT HE IS TO ME – verses 29-46 5. WHY I WORSHIP HIM – verses 47-51 Carl Laney says, “There are two categories of praise in the psalms: 1. DESCRIPTIVE PRAISE. - DESCRIPTIVE PRAISE focuses on what God is like, his ATTRIBUTES 2. DECLARATIVE PRAISE.- DECLARATIVE PRAISE emphasizes what God has done, his ACTIONS. Vos on this chapter and Psalm 18 -, “Many scholars believe that David wrote both and that the Samuel text is the original, and that David altered it slightly for liturgical purposes when it became part of the Psalms. In any case, the message is essentially the same in both works.” (Borrow 1, 2 Samuel : Bible study commentary)

2 Samuel 22

Boice writes "The dominant theme of Psalm 18 is that God is our Rock! In the previous chapter, I pointed out that this means He is a shelter beside which we can be protected and prosper, a fortress into which we can run and be safe, a firm foundation upon which our shaking feet can stand and upon which we can build. But I remember also the way in which the great eighteenth-century preacher and songwriter Augustus M. Toplady (1740–1778) handled it in what has since become one of the best-known hymns in our language: “Rock of Ages.” Toplady was traveling in the country when a storm came upon him and he was forced to take shelter in the cleft of a great rock. While he was waiting for the storm to pass he reflected on the situation spiritually, and the words of a hymn began to form in his mind. Looking down at his feet, he discovered a playing card that someone who had been there earlier had dropped. So he picked it up and used it to record these words. The card is still in existence." (Psalms: Volume 1: An Expositional Commentary) Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From thy riven (or ripped) side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Cleanse me from its guilt and power. Not the labors of my hands Can fulfill thy law's demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die. While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyes shall close in death, When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee. Rock (05553) sela' is a masculine noun according to Strong refers to 1 crag, cliff, rock. 1A crag, cliff. 1B as stronghold of Jehovah, of security (figurative). TWOT says sela' "refers basically to a cleft in a rock, thence a rock or cliff." Sela' often speaks of rock faces especially cliffs (Isa 2:21), where eagles (Job 39:28) and hyraxes (rock badgers Pr 30:26) live. People are thrown off sela' (Ps 141:6). Mountain goats is literally "goats of the sela'" (Job 39:1). Sela' is sometimes used as a proper noun: "the rock of Etam" (Jdg 15:8), David's "Rock of Escape" (1Sa 23:28), two rock crags, " name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh" (1Sa 14:4). "Clefts of the rock" in Obadiah 1:3 may refer to Sela, an Edomite fortress city. Sela' is associated with crevices and clefts (Jer 13:4; 49:16), also with fortresses (Isa 33:16). The destruction of Tyre prophesied by God would become like a bare rock (Ezek 26:14). Crypts were carved in sela' (Isa 22:16). Sela' occasionally occurs with tsur the other Hebrew word for rock (4x; Dt 32:13, Ps 18:2, Ps 71:3, Isa 2:21). The Septuagint sometimes translates sela' (Isa 42:11) as Petra, perhaps corresponding to Petra in Jordan. Fortress (stronghold)(04686) mesudah from tsud = to hunt) means a fastness, stronghold. Mesudah (mesuda) refers to a wilderness or mountainous places for hiding, defense, and gathering supplies for battle (1Sa 22:4, 5; 24:22) especially David's city when he captured the "stronghold of Zion" (2Sa 5:7, 9). Job 39:28 gives us a good word picture of the meaning of this word describing the home of the eagle "On the cliff he dwells and lodges, Upon the rocky crag, an inaccessible place (mesudah)." John Hartley adds "Apparently related to meṣād which means "mountain-height" or "summit"; then "fortress, castle" (Arabic maṣādun) so Masada, the fortress-palace plateau of Herod near the Dead Sea. In the rocky crag the eagle makes his stronghold (Job 39:28). But man erects his fortress out of stone or brick to protect himself from external dangers. Nevertheless with great strategy a stronghold may be taken; e.g. David captured the stronghold of Zion (2 Samuel 5:7). For the believer, especially David, God himself was the stronghold in whom he trusted throughout his trials (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 91:2)." (online TWOT ) Metsudah - 17x - fortress(6), inaccessible place(1), stronghold(10). 1Sam. 22:4; 1Sam. 22:5; 1Sam. 24:22; 2Sam. 5:7; 2Sam. 5:9; 2Sam. 5:17; 2Sam. 22:2; 2Sam. 23:14; 1Ch 11:5; 1Ch 11:16; Job 19:6; Job 39:28; Ps. 18:2; Ps. 31:2; Ps. 31:3; Ps. 66:11; Ps. 71:3; Ps. 91:2; Ps. 144:2; Ezek. 12:13; Ezek. 13:21; Ezek. 17:20 Deliverer (escape, preserve, rescue) (06403) palat means to deliver, to escape or help to escape, to rescue, to take to safety, to bring forth (Job 21:10 - "calves" = delivers a calf). The first use is by David in 2 Samuel 22 where he exalts God as "my deliverer," (2 Sa 22:2) and then later testifies "You have also delivered me from the contentions of my people." Most of the uses are in Psalms and speak of God's deliverance in various settings, including several pleas for Him to deliver (Ps 17:13, Ps 43:2, Ps 71:2, 4, Ps 82:4) ROCK - In the ancient world, where explosives and powerful drills were unknown, rock—abundant and varied in shape and size—was a ready image of impervious solidity. A rock provides a solid foundation, protection and security, but it can be a nuisance when it poses an obstacle to progress and dangerous when it falls. The Bible uses words translated “rock” in all these senses and occasionally in more specialized ways. Much of the OT imagery has the desert as its backdrop. The sight of a rock in a barren, sun-parched wilderness lifted the spirits of the hot and weary traveler or soldier. The ministers of the righteous king, wrote Isaiah (Is 32:2), will be like “the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land” (NIV). The rock might contain a spring of water (see Ex 17:6) as well as providing welcome shade from the burning sun. The hunted, whether human or animal, could find in the rocks a hiding place (1 Sam 13:6; Ps 104:18). Isaiah reveals a horrifying picture of people trying to hide from God among the rocks (Is 2:10, 19, 21). But ideally rock formed a sound foundation; a rock was a stronghold, a fortress and a refuge. “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed” (Is 28:16 NIV). King David knew what it was to be a fugitive in the desert, and he worshiped God as the rock in whom he found shelter (2Sa 22:2–4, 32; Ps 18:1–3, 31, 46). The image is repeated in Psalm 31:3; 62:1–8; and Ps 71:3, 7. It is a short step to seeing God as redeemer, savior and deliverer (Ps 62; 95:1; 78:35). God is not only like a rock, however-he is a rock (Dt 32:30–31). The Israelites had experienced God as a safe refuge, utterly secure and dependable. As Luther was later to express it, Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, “a mighty fortress is our God.”.... So the word rock is used in Scripture with a wide variety of meanings, almost all associated with God, either as a secure foundation or stronghold or as an obstacle to evildoers. Twentieth-century city dwellers need to exercise their powers of imagination to feel the full impact of King David’s relief and joy at finding a secure and shady fortress enclosing a spring of water as he was pursued by his enemies in the desert. Our view of God is enriched by the effort. (Dictionary of Biblical Imagery) FORTRESS, STRONGHOLD - OT battle stories have as one of their staples fortresses-thick-walled cities, often on high mountains, meant to be impenetrable and intimidating to enemies. Yet of the approximately thirty-five references to fortresses in English Bibles, most are metaphoric pictures of God and his acts of salvation. The first mention of a fortress comes in the story of David’s capturing Zion, or Jerusalem, from the Jebusites (2 Sam 5:6–7). David made this city his capital: a great, prosperous, central fortress in Israel. David knew many fortresses first-hand, so when he calls the Lord his fortress, he is clearly picturing strong walls and high defenses-a secure place where no evil can enter (2 Sam 22:2; Ps 18:2). God often protected David physically, but when David and other OT writers call God their fortress, they primarily picture God as the unshakable strength of their souls, the source of hope and salvation that no enemy-physical or spiritual-can ever threaten. David calls God “the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation” (Ps 28:8 NIV). Psalm 62 is a song about finding rest for the soul: “He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Ps 62:2 NIV). In this psalm David uses the metaphor of a besieged fortress to picture himself, with “leaning walls and tottering fence”; his enemies “fully intend to topple him” (Ps 62:3–4). He may be referring to assaults on his kingship in his later years. And yet he looks to the God of his salvation as a refuge and a fortress in which he can place all his trust. Often rock and fortress are used together to refer to God (2 Sam 22:2; Ps 18:2; 31:3; 71:3). Fortified cities were built, if possible, high on a cliff or mountain, with the rock providing an unshakable foundation and impenetrable defense. Isaiah accuses the Israelites of forgetting God their Savior: “You have not remembered the Rock, your fortress” (Is 17:10 NIV). Without their Rock, he tells them, they will fall to the enemy, both physically and spiritually, and the fortress of Jerusalem will be abandoned (Is 32:14). In a similar vein Nahum compares the fortress of godless Ninevah to fig trees that will spill their ripe fruit into the hands of the enemies who shake them; its gates will be wide open to its enemies (Nahum 3:12–13). By contrast, “he who fears the LORD has a secure fortress” (Prov 14:26 NIV). Images of fortresses in Scripture turn our eyes from earthly cities, which fall and decay, to a heavenly city, Mount Zion, the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21. That city has a “great, high wall,” thick and shining with gold and precious stones. Its gates will never be shut, and “nothing impure will ever enter it” (Rev 21:12, 17–21, 25–27). The enemy will finally be conquered, and God will rule there forever. Scripture pictures this God as the only fortress in which we can surely rest our souls as we look for the eternal city. (Dictionary of Biblical Imagery) BADGER BRAINS "The rock badgers are a feeble folk, yet they make their homes in the crags." -- Proverbs 30:26 We could learn a lot from the rock badger. This small animal (also called a coney or hyrax) knows where to go when danger comes. The large ragged crags jutting up from the mountains form a perfect hiding place for the badger. If an eagle swoops down and tries to capture him the little animal is protected by the rock. The eagle would have to tear the mountain apart to get to its prey. When a lion is on the prowl for lunch, the badger goes undetected by lying close to the rock because he is the color of the mountain. As long as the badger hides in the rocks, he is safe. If he wanders away into the grassland, he is dead meat. The most courageous badger in the world is no match for even a small lion. The badger is wise enough to know that his strength lies not in working out at the gym but in taking shelter in the crags. He cannot fail, your faithful God, He'll guard you with His mighty power; Then fear no ill though troubles rise, His help is sure from hour to hour. - Henry G. Bosch You have nothing to fear if you stay close to the Rock of Ages. Spiritual Weightlifting I first met Noel when he was in the early stages of overcoming drug dependence. He had put his faith in Christ, and he was becoming a well-established disciple. One day he admitted, "When I first trusted the Lord, I felt powerless and needed to depend on Him for everything. But now that He's made me stronger, I'm afraid I'm not depending on Him as much." I believed that Noel still depended on the Lord, but I needed to reassure him somehow. So I said, "Noel, when someone starts weightlifting, which weights should be used first?" Noel replied, "The lightest ones." Then I said, "Though the weights are hard to lift, they feel lighter when the muscles increase. So what should one do next?" With a knowing smile, Noel replied, "Increase the weights!" "That's what the Lord is doing with you," I reasoned. "The loads you first carried feel lighter now, for you are spiritually stronger. But don't become overconfident. The Lord will keep increasing your load to remind you of your limited strength. You'll never outgrow your need to depend on Him!" Each time that we depend on God To meet our daily needs, Our strength in Him will be increased, Like mighty trees from seeds. —Sper We grow stronger as we depend on God's strength. Hidden In The Rock The Lord is my rock and my fortress. —Psalm 18:2 Today's Scripture: Psalm 18:30-36 The story is told of a young preacher named Augustus Toplady, who was taking a walk through the English countryside when a sudden storm swept across the landscape. Toplady spotted a wide rock formation with an opening—a cleft—where he sought shelter until the storm passed. As he sat out the deluge, he contemplated the connection between his shelter and God’s help in life’s storms. He had no paper to write on but found a playing card on the floor of the cavelike structure and began to write the words to the beloved hymn “Rock of Ages.” Written on that stormy day in 1775, this hymn has been a source of strength for Christians ever since. Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure. Think of your struggles. Do you need a place to hide? Do you need Someone to shelter you from life’s assaults? Do you need the assurance that you’ve been forgiven? As Toplady experienced, we can find shelter and assurance in God. No Contest The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. — Psalm 18:2 Today's Scripture: Psalm 18:1-19 A family friend was deserted by her husband and left to care for her small children alone. I wonder how she’ll make it. A grandmother wrote Radio Bible Class asking for prayer for her grandchildren who all seem to be throwing their lives away on the things of this world. I feel sadness. My teenage daughter talked about the poverty she saw among believers in a country she visited on a missions trip. I search for answers. Why such inequities? Then I look at Psalm 18. David had his own list of troubles. He was threatened by enemies (v.3), surrounded by “the pangs of death” and “the floods of ungodliness” (v.4). What hope could there be in his situation? Would the help come in the form of money, soldiers, powerful weapons, or people who would come to his aid? No, David’s help came from an inexhaustible source—the Lord, whom David called “my rock and my fortress and my deliverer” (v.2). Like all of us, David faced adversity. But as Psalm 18 indicates, when our problems are pitted against our Lord’s strength, it’s no contest. Even in my darkest hour The Lord will bless me with His power; His loving grace will sure abound, In His sweet care I shall be found. —Brandt All is not hopeless when your hope is in God. Running to Our Shelter The Lord is my rock, . . . He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior. 2 Samuel 22:2–3 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Samuel 22:1–7 The sixth-grade basketball game was well underway. Parents and grandparents were cheering on their players, while younger brothers and sisters of the boys on the teams entertained themselves out in the school hallway. Suddenly, sirens blared and lights flashed in the gym. A fire alarm had been tripped. Soon the siblings came streaming back into the gym in panic, looking for their parents. There was no fire; the alarm had accidentally been activated. But as I watched, I was struck by the way the children—sensing a crisis—unashamedly ran to embrace their parents. What a picture of confidence in those who could provide a sense of safety and reassurance in a time of fear! Scripture presents a time when David experienced great fear. Saul and numerous other enemies (2 Samuel 22:1) pursued him. After God delivered David to safety, the grateful man sang an eloquent song of praise about His help. He called God “my rock, my fortress and my deliverer” (v. 2). When the “cords of the grave” and “the snares of death” (v. 6) hounded him, David “called out” to God and his “cry came to [God’s] ears” (v. 7). In the end, David proclaimed He “rescued me” (vv. 18, 20, 49). What fear are you dealing with these days? How can God help you face it and deal with it? Dear God, when I’m afraid, remind me to trust You—to depend on You—and praise Your name. For further study, read Hope: Discovering the One True Source. Solid-Rock Faith The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. —Psalm 18:2 Today's Scripture & Insight: Psalm 18:1-3,46 My wife and I both have grandmothers who have lived past 100. Talking with them and their friends, I detect a trend that seems almost universal in the reminiscences of older people: They recall difficult times with a touch of nostalgia. The elderly swap stories about World War II and the Great Depression; they speak fondly of hardships such as blizzards, the childhood outhouse, and the time in college when they ate canned soup and stale bread 3 weeks in a row. Paradoxically, difficult times may help nourish faith and strengthen personal bonds. Seeing this principle lived out, I can better understand one of the mysteries relating to God. Faith boils down to a question of trust. If I do stand on a solid rock of trust in God (Ps. 18:2), the worst of circumstances will not destroy that relationship. Solid-rock faith allows me to believe that despite the chaos of the present moment, God does reign. Regardless of how worthless I may feel, I truly matter to a God of love. No pain lasts forever, and no evil triumphs in the end. Lord, You are the Rock, the object of my faith. My faith stands on You and not on my shifting feelings; otherwise I would be sure to fall. Christ, the Rock, is our sure hope. 2 Samuel 22:3 My God, my Rock, in Whom I take refuge, My Shield and the Horn of my salvation, my Stronghold and my Refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. BGT 2 Samuel 22:3 ὁ θεός μου φύλαξ ἔσται μου πεποιθὼς ἔσομαι ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ ὑπερασπιστής μου καὶ κέρας σωτηρίας μου ἀντιλήμπτωρ μου καὶ καταφυγή μου σωτηρίας μου ἐξ ἀδίκου σώσεις με LXE 2 Samuel 22:3 my God; he shall be to me my guard, I will trust in him: he is my protector, and the horn of my salvation, my helper, and my sure refuge; thou shalt save me from the unjust man. KJV 2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. NET 2 Samuel 22:3 My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter, my shield, the horn that saves me, my stronghold, my refuge, my savior. You save me from violence! CSB 2 Samuel 22:3 my God, my mountain where I seek refuge. My shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence. ESV 2 Samuel 22:3 my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. NIV 2 Samuel 22:3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-- from violent men you save me. NLT 2 Samuel 22:3 my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. in Whom: Heb 2:13 My Shield : Ge 15:1 De 33:29 Ps 3:3 Ps 5:12 Ps 28:7 Ps 84:9,11 Ps 115:9-11 Pr 30:5 Horn of my salvation: 1Sa 2:1 Lu 1:69 my Stronghold: 2Sa 22:51 Ps 61:3 144:2 Pr 18:10 my Refuge: Ps 9:9 14:6 18:2 27:5 32:7 46:1,7,11 59:16 71:7 142:4 Isa 32:2 Jer 16:9 My Savior: Isa 12:2 45:21 Lu 1:47,71 Tit 3:4,6 You save me: 2Sa 22:49 Ps 55:9 72:14 86:14 140:1,4,11 Related Passage: Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” Deuteronomy 33:29 “Blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, Who is the shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! So your enemies will cringe before you, And you will tread upon their high places.” Psalm 3:3 But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. Psalm 5:12 For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield. Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. Psalm 84:9; 11 Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Your anointed....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 115:9-11 O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 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. 1 Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks (tsur) of the Wild Goats. Luke 1:69+ (PROPHECY OF MESSIAH AS THE "HORN") And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant– My God, my Rock (tsur), in Whom I take refuge (KJV = "In Him will I trust") - All these uses of MY not only speak of personal possession (and relationship) but personal (intimate) experience with God. David's God is not some abstract concept or truth, but is a real and personal God Who he has experienced in manifold ways which accounts for the length of this beautiful song. God is his (our) personal Rock which David explains means Jehovah is the place (Person) where we can run when we are in need of a safe place (Person)! Pr 18:10+ says it this way - "The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe (sagab - means to be raised up)." The thought is that when we run to His Name, which is the essence of all He is (all His attributes), we are high and inaccessible by our adversaries (they are still out there, but they do not have access to the Rock). Faith must be exercised, or the preciousness of God is not truly known; and God must be the object of faith, or faith is mere presumption. -- CHS My Rock is translated in the Septuagint with with the Greek word phulax which means guard or sentinel, One Who watches or stands as if watching like a soldier stationed as a guard to challenge all comers and prevent a surprise attack! Kirkpatrick says "The title Rock is frequently used to describe the strength, faithfulness, and unchangeableness of God (cf Dt 32:4; Dt 32:37; 1Sa 2:2; Ps 28:1, etc)". CHS - "My God;" this is all good things in one. There is a boundless wealth in this expression; it means, my perpetual, unchanging, infinite, eternal good. He who can say truly "my God," may well add, "my heaven, my all." (Sing to Him and praise Him with "You are My All in All") CHS - "My strength;" this word is really "my rock," in the sense of strength and immobility. My sure, unchanging, eternal confidence and support. Thus the word rock occurs twice, but it is no tautology, for the first time it is a rock for concealment, but here a rock for firmness and immutability. CHS - "In Whom I will trust." (IN WHOM I TAKE REFUGE) Faith must be exercised, or the preciousness of God is not truly known; and God must be the object of faith, or faith is mere presumption. " My Shield (magen) and the Horn (qeren) of my salvation (yesha; Lxx - soteria), my Stronghold (misgab; Lxx - antilemptor = helper, protector) and my Refuge (manos; Lxx - kataphuge mou soterias = my safe retreat, my sure refuge) - A Shield defends, a Horn (power) saves. Stronghold provides a place of security. Horn is strength or power so the horn of my salvation is God's power which saves me, not just the first time (justification) but every day (sanctification) and Who is this descriptive of but the Holy Spirit, Who provides the "desire and the power" to live pleasing to God (see Php 2:13NLT+). He is not just the horn of salvation but of MY salvation says David. In 2Sa. 22:3; 2Sa. 22:36; 2Sa. 22:47 He is the Horn...Shield...Rock, all related to salvation respectively as the power, the protection, and the foundation. My Stronghold refers to “high place,” beyond reach of danger. The Septuagint translated Shield (magen) with the noun huperaspistes which literally means one who holds a shield over another and thus is a protector (defender) and it is used in all 3 uses of magen in chapter 24 (2Sa 22:3, 31, 36 - v36 uses the cognate = huperaspismos = covering with a shield) Hyperaspistes is used 19x/19v - 2Sa 22:3; 2 Sa 22:31; Ps. 18:2; Ps. 18:30; Ps. 27:1; Ps. 28:7; Ps. 28:8; Ps. 31:2; Ps. 31:4; Ps. 33:20; Ps. 37:39; Ps. 40:17; Ps. 59:11; Ps. 71:3; Ps. 84:9; Ps. 115:9; Ps. 115:10; Ps. 115:11; Ps. 144:2. The Almighty God is OUR PERSONAL DEFENDER! The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and portion be, As long as life endures. Amazing Grace Here is the English translation of the Septuagint which helps picture the sense of each of these descriptions of God - "My God; He shall be to me my guard, I will trust in him: he is my protector, and the horn of my salvation, my helper, and my sure refuge; thou shalt save me from the unjust man. (2Sa 22:3LXE) Kirkpatrick - The Power which saves and delivers me. The figure of the horn, as a symbol of victorious strength, is derived from horned animals. Cp. Deuteronomy 33:17; Luke 1:69. CHS - My Buckler," (SHIELD) warding off the blows of my enemy, shielding me from arrow or sword. The Lord furnishes his warriors with weapons both offensive and defensive. Our armoury is completely stored so that none need go to battle unarmed. THOU MY SHIELD BY FANNY CROSBY When the hopes that smile today With the morrow pass away; When the flowers that pleasure weaves Fade and fall like autumn leaves: Refrain Thou my shield and strength divine, Closer draw my love to Thine; Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee. When my heart with toils oppressed Vainly seeks the balm of rest; When beset with trials deep, Throbbing cares that will not sleep: Refrain When afflictions o’er my soul Like the waves of ocean roll: When the clouds above me frown And my burden weighs me down: Refrain When the storms of life shall cease, When the waves are hushed in peace; When I reach my home at last, Every danger safely passed: Refrain CHS - "The Horn of my salvation," enabling me to push down my foes, and to triumph over them with holy exultation.

2 Samuel 22

Boice comments "“What is most impressive…is the magnificent way the psalmist describes God rising from his throne in heaven in response to his servant’s cry, parting the clouds, and descending to fight the king’s battles accompanied by earthquakes, thunder, storms, and lightning.” (Boice) He bowed the heavens also, and came down With thick darkness under His feet - CSB = "He parted the heavens and came down." Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — darkness—or, a dense cloud (Ex 19:16; De 5:22). Anderson - O what a glorious anticipation for we who are believers to rest in the blessed hope that one day “the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel with the trump of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first, and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1Th 4:16,17) 2 Samuel 22:11 "And He rode on a cherub and flew; And He appeared on the wings of the wind. BGT 2 Samuel 22:11 καὶ ἐπεκάθισεν ἐπὶ Χερουβιν καὶ ἐπετάσθη καὶ ὤφθη ἐπὶ πτερύγων ἀνέμου LXE 2 Samuel 22:11 And he rode upon the cherubs and did fly, and was seen upon the wings of the wind. KJV 2 Samuel 22:11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. NET 2 Samuel 22:11 He mounted a winged angel and flew; he glided on the wings of the wind. CSB 2 Samuel 22:11 He rode on a cherub and flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. ESV 2 Samuel 22:11 He rode on a cherub and flew; he was seen on the wings of the wind. NIV 2 Samuel 22:11 He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. NLT 2 Samuel 22:11 Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. NRS 2 Samuel 22:11 He rode on a cherub, and flew; he was seen upon the wings of the wind. NJB 2 Samuel 22:11 riding one of the winged creatures, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. a cherub: Ge 3:24 Ex 25:19 1Sa 4:4 Ps 18:10 68:17 80:1 99:1 Eze 9:3 Eze 10:2-14 Heb 1:14 upon the: Ps 104:3 139:9 Related Passages: Psalm 18:10 He rode upon a cherub and flew; And He sped upon the wings of the wind. Ezekiel 10:19 When the cherubim departed, they lifted their wings and rose up from the earth in my sight with the wheels beside them; and they stood still at the entrance of the east gate of the LORD’S house, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered over them. Ezekiel 11:22 Then the cherubim lifted up their wings with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered over them. And He rode on a cherub and flew; And He appeared on the wings of the wind - We have similar pictures of this in Isaiah 6, Rev. 4, and also in the book of Ezekiel when the presence of God is pictured, these cherubim are present. David continues his description of Yahweh coming in answer to his cries, to meet his need. Rode on a cherub and flew pictures the speed with which Yahweh responds, in fact He was so rapid that it was like He was traveling on the wings of the wind. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — cherub—angelic agents (compare Ge 3:24), the figures of which were placed over the ark (1 Sa 4:4), representing God’s dwelling; used here to enhance the majesty of the divine advent. Angels and winds may represent all rational and irrational agencies of God’s providence (compare Ps 104:3, 4). did fly—Rapidity of motion adds to the grandeur of the scene. Vos points out, “The heavens seemed to sink down as Jehovah came riding on the storm clouds. He mounted the cherubim, a winged lion creature, and seemed to swoop like a vulture toward its prey.” (Borrow 1, 2 Samuel : Bible study commentary) CHS - There is inimitable grandeur in this verse. Under the Mosaic system the cherubim are frequently represented as the chariot of God; hence Milton, in "Paradise Lost," writes of the Great Father,— "He on the wings of cherubim Uplifted, in paternal glory rode Far into chaos." Without speculating upon the mysterious and much-disputed subject of the cherubim, it may be enough to remark that angels are doubtless our guards and ministering friends, and all their powers are enlisted to expedite the rescue of the afflicted. CHS - "He rode upon a cherub, and did fly." Nature also yields all her agents to be our helpers, and even the powers of the air are subservient: "yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind." The Lord comes flying when mercy is his errand, but he lingers long when sinners are being wooed to repent. The flight here pictured is as majestic as it is swift; "flying all abroad" is Sternhold's word, and he is not far from correct. As the eagle soars in easy grandeur with wings outspread, without violent flapping and exertion, so comes the Lord with majesty of omnipotence to aid his own. NET NOTE - cherub - A winged angel. Cherubim, as depicted in the Old Testament, possess both human and animal (lion, ox, and eagle) characteristics (see Ezek 1:10; 10:14, 21; 41:18). They are pictured as winged creatures (Exod 25:20; 37:9; 1 Kgs 6:24-27; Ezek 10:8, 19) and serve as the very throne of God when the ark of the covenant is in view (Pss 80:1; 99:1; see Num 7:89; 1 Sam 4:4; 2 Sam 6:2; 2 Kgs 19:15). The picture of the Lord seated on the cherubim suggests they might be used by him as a vehicle, a function they carry out in Ezek 1:22-28 (the “living creatures” mentioned here are identified as cherubim in Ezek 10:20). In Ps 18:10 the image of a cherub serves to personify the wind (see the next line). The wings of the wind. Verse 10 may depict the Lord mounting a cherub, which is in turn propelled by the wind current. Another option is that two different vehicles (a cherub and the wind) are envisioned. A third option is that the wind is personified as a cherub. For a discussion of ancient Near Eastern parallels to the imagery in v. 10, see M. Weinfeld, “‘Rider of the Clouds’ and ‘Gatherer of the Clouds’,” JANESCU 5 (1973): 422-24. 2 Samuel 22:12 "And He made darkness canopies around Him, A mass of waters, thick clouds of the sky. BGT 2 Samuel 22:12 καὶ ἔθετο σκότος ἀποκρυφὴν αὐτοῦ κύκλῳ αὐτοῦ ἡ σκηνὴ αὐτοῦ σκότος ὑδάτων ἐπάχυνεν ἐν νεφέλαις ἀέρος LXE 2 Samuel 22:12 And he made darkness his hiding-place; his tabernacle round about him was the darkness of waters, he condensed it with the clouds of the air. KJV 2 Samuel 22:12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. NET 2 Samuel 22:12 He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds. CSB 2 Samuel 22:12 He made darkness a canopy around Him, a gathering of water and thick clouds. ESV 2 Samuel 22:12 He made darkness around him his canopy, thick clouds, a gathering of water. NIV 2 Samuel 22:12 He made darkness his canopy around him-- the dark rain clouds of the sky. NLT 2 Samuel 22:12 He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds. NRS 2 Samuel 22:12 He made darkness around him a canopy, thick clouds, a gathering of water. NJB 2 Samuel 22:12 He wrapped himself in darkness, his pavilion dark waters and dense cloud. made: 2Sa 22:10 Ps 18:11,12 27:5 97:2 Related Passages: Psalm 18:11 He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. And He made darkness canopies around Him, A mass of waters, thick clouds of the sky. David is picturing the coming of a rainstorm. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — dark waters—or, clouds heavy with vapor. CHS - The storm thickened, and the clouds pouring forth torrents of rain combined to form the secret chamber of the invisible but wonder-working God. "Pavilioned in impervious shade" faith saw him, but no other eye could gaze through the "thick clouds of the skies." Blessed is the darkness which encurtains my God; if I may not see him, it is sweet to know that he is working in secret for my eternal good. Even fools can believe that God is abroad in the sunshine and the calm, but faith is wise, and discerns him in the terrible darkness and threatening storm. NET NOTE - Heb “he made darkness around him coverings.” The parallel text in Ps 18:11 reads “he made darkness his hiding place around him, his covering.” 2 Sam 22:12 omits “his hiding place” and pluralizes “covering.” Psalm 18:11 may include a conflation of synonyms (“his hiding place” and “his covering”) or 2 Sam 22:12 may be the result of haplography/homoioarcton. Note that three successive words in Ps 18:11 begin with the letter ס (samek): סִתְרוֹ סְבִיבוֹתָיו סֻכָּתוֹ (sitro svivotayv sukkato). Thick rain clouds - Heb “a sieve of water, clouds of clouds.” The form חַשְׁרַת (khashrat) is a construct of חַשְׁרָה (khashrah, “sieve”), which occurs only here in the OT. A cognate Ugaritic noun means “sieve,” and a related verb חשׁר (“to sift”) is attested in post-biblical Hebrew and Aramaic (see HALOT 363 s.v. *חשׁר). The phrase חַשְׁרַת־מַיִם (khashrat mayim) means literally “a sieve of water.” It pictures the rain clouds as a sieve through which the rain falls to the ground. (See F. M. Cross and D. N. Freedman, Studies in ancient Yahwistic poetry, 146, note 33.) Don Anderson - David, right along with Elijah, could sing, “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain” - - and it wasn’t from a drug trip, either. It came from the very presence and activity of God. He came in fire to consume, and in rain to refresh. 2 Samuel 22:13 "From the brightness before Him Coals of fire were kindled. BGT 2 Samuel 22:13 ἀπὸ τοῦ φέγγους ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ ἐξεκαύθησαν ἄνθρακες πυρός LXE 2 Samuel 22:13 At the brightness before him coals of fire were kindled. KJV 2 Samuel 22:13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled. NET 2 Samuel 22:13 From the brightness in front of him came coals of fire. CSB 2 Samuel 22:13 From the radiance of His presence, flaming coals were ignited. ESV 2 Samuel 22:13 Out of the brightness before him coals of fire flamed forth. NIV 2 Samuel 22:13 Out of the brightness of his presence bolts of lightning blazed forth. NLT 2 Samuel 22:13 A great brightness shone around him, and burning coals blazed forth. NRS 2 Samuel 22:13 Out of the brightness before him coals of fire flamed forth. NJB 2 Samuel 22:13 A brightness lit up before him, hail and blazing fire. coals of fire: 2Sa 22:9 Related Passages: Psalm 18:12 From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, Hailstones and coals of fire. From the brightness before Him Coals of fire were kindled. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — from the brightness - Out of this obscurity, which impresses the beholder with awe and dread, He reveals Himself by sudden light and the means of His terrible wrath (Jos 10:11; Ps 78:47). CHS - Suddenly the terrible artillery of heaven was discharged; the brightness of lightning lit up the clouds as with a glory proceeding from him who was concealed within the cloudy pavilion; and volleys of hailstones and coals of fire were hurled forth upon the enemy. The lightnings seemed to cleave the clouds and kindle them into a blaze, and then hailstones and flakes of fire with flashes of terrific grandeur terrified the sons of men. NET NOTE - coals of fire - The parallel text in Ps 18:12 reads “from the brightness in front of him his clouds came, hail and coals of fire.” The Lucianic family of texts within the Greek tradition of 2 Sam 22:13 seems to assume the underlying Hebrew text: מִנֹּגַהּ נֶגְדּוֹ עָבְרוּ בָּרָד וְגַחֲלֵי אֵשׁ (minnogah negdo ʿavru barad vgakhale ʾesh, “from the brightness in front of him came hail and coals of fire”) which is the basis for the present translation. The textual situation is perplexing and the identity of the original text uncertain. The verbs עָבְרוּ (ʿavru; Ps 18:12) and בָּעֲרוּ (baʿaru, 2 Sam 22:13) appear to be variants involving a transposition of the first two letters. The noun עָבָיו (ʿavayv, “his clouds”; Ps 18:12) may be virtually dittographic (note the following עָבְרוּ), or it could have accidentally dropped from the text of 2 Sam 22:13 by virtual haplography (note the preceding בָּעֲרוּ [baʿaru], which might have originally read עָבְרוּ). The term בָּרָד (barad, “hail”; Ps 18:12) may be virtually dittographic (note the preceding עָבְרוּ), or it could have dropped from 2 Sam 22:13 by virtual haplography (note the preceding בָּעֲרוּ, which might have originally read עָבְרוּ). For a fuller discussion of the text, see R. B. Chisholm, “An Exegetical and Theological Study of Psalm 18/2 Samuel 22” (Th.D. diss., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1983), 74-76. 2 Samuel 22:14 "The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice. BGT 2 Samuel 22:14 ἐβρόντησεν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ κύριος καὶ ὁ ὕψιστος ἔδωκεν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ LXE 2 Samuel 22:14 The Lord thundered out of heaven, and the Most High uttered his voice. KJV 2 Samuel 22:14 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. NET 2 Samuel 22:14 The LORD thundered from the sky; the sovereign One shouted loudly. CSB 2 Samuel 22:14 The LORD thundered from heaven; the Most High projected His voice. ESV 2 Samuel 22:14 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered his voice. NIV 2 Samuel 22:14 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. NLT 2 Samuel 22:14 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. NRS 2 Samuel 22:14 The LORD thundered from heaven; the Most High uttered his voice. NJB 2 Samuel 22:14 Yahweh thundered from the heavens, the Most High made his voice heard. NAB 2 Samuel 22:14 "The LORD thundered from heaven; the Most High gave forth his voice. YLT 2 Samuel 22:14 Thunder from the heavens doth Jehovah, And the Most High giveth forth His voice. thundered: Ex 19:16 Jdg 5:20 1Sa 2:10 7:10 1Sa 12:17-18 Job 37:2-5 40:9 Ps 29:3-9 77:16-19 Isa 30:30 Eze 10:5 Rev 11:19 Related Passages: Exodus 19:16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Psalm 18:13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire. 1 Samuel 2:10; “Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed (DAVID FIRST THEN THE MESSIAH IN THE FUTURE).” 1 Samuel 12:17-18 (LORD'S THUNDER AT THE CALL OF SAMUEL TO YAHWEH) “Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the LORD, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the LORD by asking for yourselves a king.” 18 So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. Revelation 11:19 (IN THE FUTURE WHEN GOD'S WRATH IS POURED OUT ON THE GODLESS WORLD) And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm. John 12:28-29 “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” GOD ROARS IN THE THUNDER The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High (Elyon) uttered His voice - Although this was before David was king, it is representative of his description here "Now Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel." (1Sa 7:10) Yahweh's voice is often likened to thunder (Job 37:4, 5; 40:9; Ps 29:3; Is 33:3). Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — The storm breaks forth—thunder follows lightning, and hail with repeated lightning, as often seen, like balls or coals of fire, succeed (Ex 9:23). CHS - Over all this splendour of tempest pealed the dread thunder. "The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice." Fit accompaniment for the flames of vengeance. How will men bear to hear it at the last when addressed to them in proclamation of their doom, for even now their hearts are in their mouths if they do but hear it muttering from afar? In all this terror David found a theme for song, and thus every believer finds even in the terrors of God a subject for holy praise. NET NOTE - This divine title (עֶלְיוֹן, ʿelyon) pictures God as the exalted ruler of the universe who vindicates the innocent and judges the wicked. See especially Ps 47:2. Thunder is a common motif in Old Testament theophanies and in ancient Near Eastern portrayals of the storm god and warring kings. See R. B. Chisholm, “An Exegetical and Theological Study of Psalm 18/2 Samuel 22” (Th.D. diss., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1983), 179-83. THUNDER - Heb “offered his voice.” In this poetic narrative context the prefixed verbal form is best understood as a preterite indicating past tense, not an imperfect. Note the preterite form in the preceding line. The text of Ps 18:13 adds at this point, “hail and coals of fire.” These words are probably accidentally added from v. 12b; they do not appear in 2 Sam 22:14. 2 Samuel 22:15 "And He sent out arrows, and scattered them, Lightning, and routed them. BGT 2 Samuel 22:15 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν βέλη καὶ ἐσκόρπισεν αὐτούς ἀστραπὴν καὶ ἐξέστησεν αὐτούς LXE 2 Samuel 22:15 And he sent forth arrows, and scattered them, and he flashed lightning, and dismayed them. KJV 2 Samuel 22:15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. NET 2 Samuel 22:15 He shot arrows and scattered them, lightning and routed them. CSB 2 Samuel 22:15 He shot arrows and scattered them; He hurled lightning bolts and routed them. ESV 2 Samuel 22:15 And he sent out arrows and scattered them; lightning, and routed them. NIV 2 Samuel 22:15 He shot arrows and scattered the enemies, bolts of lightning and routed them. NLT 2 Samuel 22:15 He shot arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were confused. NRS 2 Samuel 22:15 He sent out arrows, and scattered them-- lightning, and routed them. NJB 2 Samuel 22:15 He shot his arrows and scattered them, his lightning flashed and routed them. NAB 2 Samuel 22:15 He sent forth arrows to put them to flight; he flashed lightning and routed them. YLT 2 Samuel 22:15 And He sendeth forth arrows, And scattereth them; Lightning, and troubleth them; arrows: De 32:23 Jos 10:10 Ps 7:12,13 18:14 45:5 144:6,7 Hab 3:11 Related Passages: Psalm 18:14 He sent out His arrows, and scattered them, And lightning flashes in abundance, and routed them. GOD'S LIGHTNING SHOOTING LIKE ARROWS And He sent out arrows, and scattered them, Lightning, and routed them CHS - The lightnings were darted forth as forked arrows upon the hosts of the foe, and speedily "scattered them." Boastful sinners prove to be great cowards when Jehovah enters the lists with them. They despise his words, and are very tongue-valiant, but when it comes to blows they fly apace. The glittering flames, and the fierce bolts of fire "discomfited them." God is never at a loss for weapons. Woe be unto him that contendeth with his Maker! God's arrows never miss their aim; they are feathered with lightning, and barbed with everlasting death. Fly, O sinner, to the rock of refuge before these arrows stick fast in thy soul. NET NOTE - Lightning is a common motif in OT theophanies and in ancient Near Eastern portrayals of the storm god and warring kings. Arrows and lightning bolts are associated in other texts (see Pss 77:17-18; 144:6; Zech 9:14), as well as in ancient Near Eastern art. See R. B. Chisholm, “An Exegetical and Theological Study of Psalm 18/2 Samuel 22” (Th.D. diss., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1983), 187, 190-92. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — the fiery brightness of lightning, in shape like burning arrows rapidly shot through the air, well represents the most terrible part of an awful storm. Before the terrors of such a scene the enemies are confounded and overthrown in dismay. 2 Samuel 22:16 "Then the channels of the sea appeared, The foundations of the world were laid bare By the rebuke of the LORD, At the blast of the breath of His nostrils. BGT 2 Samuel 22:16 καὶ ὤφθησαν ἀφέσεις θαλάσσης καὶ ἀπεκαλύφθη θεμέλια τῆς οἰκουμένης ἐν τῇ ἐπιτιμήσει κυρίου ἀπὸ πνοῆς πνεύματος θυμοῦ αὐτοῦ LXE 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his anger. KJV 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. NET 2 Samuel 22:16 The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions of the world were uncovered by the LORD's battle cry, by the powerful breath from his nose. CSB 2 Samuel 22:16 The depths of the sea became visible, the foundations of the world were exposed at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. ESV 2 Samuel 22:16 Then the channels of the sea were seen; the foundations of the world were laid bare, at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. NIV 2 Samuel 22:16 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils. NLT 2 Samuel 22:16 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. NRS 2 Samuel 22:16 Then the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. NJB 2 Samuel 22:16 The very springs of ocean were exposed, the world's foundations were laid bare, at the roaring of Yahweh, at the blast of breath from his nostrils! NAB 2 Samuel 22:16 Then the wellsprings of the sea appeared, the foundations of the earth were laid bare, At the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the wind of his wrath. YLT 2 Samuel 22:16 And seen are the streams of the sea, Revealed are foundations of the world, By the rebuke of Jehovah, From the breath of the spirit of His anger. the channels: Ex 14:21-27 15:8-10 Ps 18:15-17 114:3-7 rebuking: Ex 15:8 Job 38:11 Ps 106:9 Na 1:4 Hab 3:8-10 Mt 8:26,27 nostrils: or, anger, 2Sa 22:9 Ps 74:1 Related Passages: Psalm 18:15 Then the channels of water appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare At Your rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. Then the channels of the sea appeared, The foundations of the world were laid bare By the rebuke of the LORD, At the blast of the breath of His nostrils CHS - So tremendous was the shock of God's assault in arms that the order of nature was changed, and the bottoms of rivers and seas were laid bare. "The channels of waters was seen;" and the deep cavernous bowels of the earth were upheaved till "the foundations of the world were discovered." What will not Jehovah's "rebuke" do? If "the blast of the breath of thy nostrils," O Lord, be so terrible, what must thine arm be? Vain are the attempts of men to conceal anything from him whose word unbars the deep, and lifts the doors of earth from their hinges! Vain are all hopes of resistance, for a whisper of his voice makes the whole earth quail in abject terror. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — the tempest of the air is attended by appropriate results on earth. The language, though not expressive of any special physical changes, represents the utter subversion of the order of nature. Before such a God none can stand. Anderson - How similar is the picture in the book of Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ bringing about that great judgment upon fallen man in the last days. NET NOTE - The noun is derived from the verb גָעַר (gaʿar) which is often understood to mean “rebuke.” In some cases it is apparent that scolding or threatening is in view (see Gen 37:10; Ruth 2:16; Zech 3:2). However, in militaristic contexts this translation is inadequate, for the verb refers in this setting to the warrior’s battle cry, which terrifies and paralyzes the enemy. See A. Caquot, TDOT 3:53, and note the use of the verb in Pss 68:30; 106:9; and Nah 1:4, as well as the related noun in Job 26:11; Pss 9:5; 76:6; 104:7; Isa 50:2; 51:20; 66:15. 2 Samuel 22:17 "He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. BGT 2 Samuel 22:17 ἀπέστειλεν ἐξ ὕψους καὶ ἔλαβέν με εἵλκυσέν με ἐξ ὑδάτων πολλῶν LXE 2 Samuel 22:17 He sent from above and took me; he drew me out of many waters. KJV 2 Samuel 22:17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; NET 2 Samuel 22:17 He reached down from above and grabbed me; he pulled me from the surging water. CSB 2 Samuel 22:17 He reached down from heaven and took hold of me; He pulled me out of deep waters. ESV 2 Samuel 22:17 "He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. NIV 2 Samuel 22:17 "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. NLT 2 Samuel 22:17 "He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. NRS 2 Samuel 22:17 He reached from on high, he took me, he drew me out of mighty waters. NJB 2 Samuel 22:17 He reached down from on high, snatched me up, pulled me from the watery depths, NAB 2 Samuel 22:17 "He reached out from on high and grasped me; he drew me out of the deep waters. YLT 2 Samuel 22:17 He sendeth from above -- He taketh me, He draweth me out of many waters. sent: Ps 18:16 144:7 he drew: Ps 32:6 59:1,2 93:3,4 124:4,5 130:1 Isa 43:2 La 3:54 Rev 17:15 many: or, great Related Passages: Psalm 18:16 He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. Galatians 1:4 (JESUS) Who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — As seated on a throne, directing these terrible scenes, God—sent—His hand (Ps 144:7), reached down to His humble worshipper, and delivered him.-- many waters—calamities (Job 30:14; Ps 124:4, 5). CHS - Now comes the rescue. The Author is divine, "He sent;" the work is heavenly, "from above;" the deliverance is marvelous, "He drew me out of many waters." Here David was like another Moses, drawn from the water; and thus are all believers like their Lord, whose baptism in many waters of agony and in his own blood has redeemed us from the wrath to come. Torrents of evil shall not drown the man whose God sitteth upon the floods to restrain their fury. Vos points out, “The waters that threatened to engulf the psalmist retreated before the presence of God. ‘He drew me out of deep waters.’ As Moses was pulled out of the waters of the Nile so David was rescued from the waters of tribulation.” (Borrow 1, 2 Samuel : Bible study commentary) Anderson - God the great lifesaver in the sky reached down and made a human rescue. He went himself and took hold of me, and he drew me out of deep waters. Henry

2 Samuel 22

Boice - “If we were to remind David of his sin with Bathsheba, he would claim it as an illustration and a proof of this principle since he suffered in a variety of ways as a consequence of that great sin. But even though that happened, just as similar transgressions are committed by us all, on the whole he was nevertheless a man after God’s own heart and was greatly blessed by God.” CHS - "The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness." Viewing this psalm as prophetical of the Messiah, these strongly-expressed claims to righteousness are readily understood, for his garments were as white as snow; but considered as the language of David they have perplexed many. Yet the case is clear, and if the words be not strained beyond their original intention, no difficulty need occur. Albeit that the dispensations of divine grace are to the fullest degree sovereign and irrespective of human merit, yet in the dealings of Providence there is often discernible a rule of justice by which the injured are at length avenged, and the righteous ultimately delivered. David's early troubles arose from the wicked malice of envious Saul, who no doubt prosecuted his persecutions under cover of charges brought against the character of "the man after God's own heart." These charges David declares to have been utterly false, and asserts that he possessed a grace-given righteousness which the Lord had graciously rewarded in defiance of all his calumniators. Before God the man after God's own heart was a humble sinner, but before his slanderers he could with unblushing face speak of the "cleanness of his hands" and the righteousness of his life. He knows little of the sanctifying power of divine grace who is not at the bar of human equity able to plead innocence. There is no self-righteousness in an honest man knowing that he is honest, nor even in his believing that God rewards him in providence because of his honesty, for such is often a most evident matter of fact; but it would be self-righteousness indeed if we transferred such thoughts from the region of providential government into the spiritual kingdom, for there grace reigns not only supreme but sole in the distribution of divine favours. It is not at all an opposition to the doctrine of salvation by grace, and no sort of evidence of a Pharisaic spirit, when a gracious man, having been slandered, stoutly maintains his integrity, and vigorously defends his character. A godly man has a clear conscience, and knows himself to be upright; is he to deny his own consciousness, and to despise the work of the Holy Ghost, by hypocritically making himself out to be worse than he is? A godly man prizes his integrity very highly, or else he would not be a godly man at all; is he to be called proud because he will not readily lose the jewel of a reputable character? A godly man can see that in divine providence uprightness and truth are in the long run sure to bring their own reward; may he not, when he sees that reward bestowed in his own case, praise the Lord for it? Yea rather, must he not show forth the faithfulness and goodness of his God? Read the cluster of expressions in this and the following verses as the song of a good conscience, after having safely outridden a storm of obloquy, persecution, and abuse, and there will be no fear of our upbraiding the writer as one who sets too high a price upon his own moral character. NET Note - Heb “according to my righteousness.” As vv. 22-25 make clear, David refers here to his unwavering obedience to God’s commands. He explains that the Lord was pleased with him and willing to deliver him because he had been loyal to God and obedient to his commandments. Ancient Near Eastern literature contains numerous parallels. A superior (a god or king) would typically reward a subject (a king or the servant of a king, respectively) for loyalty and obedience. See R. B. Chisholm, “An Exegetical and Theological Study of Psalm 18/2 Samuel 22” (Th.D. diss., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1983), 211-13. 2 Samuel 22:22 "For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not acted wickedly against my God. BGT 2 Samuel 22:22 ὅτι ἐφύλαξα ὁδοὺς κυρίου καὶ οὐκ ἠσέβησα ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ μου LXE 2 Samuel 22:22 Because, I kept the ways of the Lord, and did not wickedly depart from my God. KJV 2 Samuel 22:22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. NET 2 Samuel 22:22 For I have obeyed the LORD's commands; I have not rebelled against my God. CSB 2 Samuel 22:22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not turned from my God to wickedness. ESV 2 Samuel 22:22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God. NIV 2 Samuel 22:22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. NLT 2 Samuel 22:22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. NRS 2 Samuel 22:22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. NJB 2 Samuel 22:22 since I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and not fallen away from my God. NAB 2 Samuel 22:22 For I kept the ways of the LORD and was not disloyal to my God. YLT 2 Samuel 22:22 For I have kept the ways of Jehovah, And have not done wickedly against my God. I have kept: Nu 16:15 1Sa 12:3 Job 23:10-12 2Co 1:12 the ways: Ge 18:19 Ps 119:1 128:1 Pr 8:32 have not: Ps 36:3 125:5 Zep 1:6 Joh 15:10 Heb 10:38,39 WALKING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LORD For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not acted wickedly against my God - Now I know what you are thinking -- David did not keep many of the ways of the LORD and he did act wickedly against him doing evil in His sight (2Sa 11:27b+). Some commentators think statements like this indicate this was written before his great sin with Bathsheba, but that is not likely because there were a number of occasions prior to that sin in which David clearly manifest sinful behavior. No, it is better to see it written as looking back on the long life of a sinful man who willingly, repeated confessed his sin and repented, giving all of us similar great sinners a wonderful example of the incredible grace, mercy and forgiveness of God in David's life, so that we too by a similar pattern of confession and repentance might hear those same words "This is a man or woman after My Own heart!" THOUGHT - Here is the point -- God is not calling any of us to walk with PERFECTION (Only His Son accomplished that! 2Co 5:21, Heb 4:15, Heb 7:26, etc), but He does call those who say they believe in Him to demonstrate it by the DIRECTION they walk. That is, enabled by the Holy Spirit (even as David was, albeit he did not have the Spirit permanently indwelling him) a believer's walk should be progressively toward holiness, not unholiness. So if you think you are a genuine believer and you are not showing some progress in the DIRECTION of your walk toward holiness, then you need to have a serious heart checkup using 2Cor 13:5+ to assess whether you are truly born again. You could also read How do I know if I am a Christian? | GotQuestions.org. CHS - Here the assertion of purity is repeated, both in a positive and a negative form. There is "I have" and "I have not," both of which must be blended in a truly sanctified life; constraining and restraining grace must each take its share. The words of this verse refer to the saint as a traveler carefully keeping to "the ways of the Lord," and "not wickedly," that is, designedly, wilfully, persistently, defiantly forsaking the ordained pathway in which God favours the pilgrim with his presence. Observe how it is implied in the expression, "and have not wickedly departed from my God," that David lived habitually in communion with God, and knew him to be his own God, whom he might speak of as "my God." God never departs from his people, let them take heed of departing from him. NET NOTE - Heb “for I have kept the ways of the Lord.” The phrase “ways of the Lord” refers here to the “conduct required” by the Lord (see HALOT 232 s.v. דֶרֶךְ). In Ps 25 the Lord’s “ways” are associated with his covenantal demands (see vv. 4, 9-10). See also Ps 119:3 (cf. vv. 1, 4), as well as Deut 8:6; 10:12; 11:22; 19:9; 26:17; 28:9; 30:16. 2 Samuel 22:23 "For all His ordinances were before me, And as for His statutes, I did not depart from them. BGT 2 Samuel 22:23 ὅτι πάντα τὰ κρίματα αὐτοῦ κατεναντίον μου καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀπέστην ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν LXE 2 Samuel 22:23 For all his judgments and his ordinances were before me: I departed not from them. KJV 2 Samuel 22:23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. NET 2 Samuel 22:23 For I am aware of all his regulations, and I do not reject his rules. CSB 2 Samuel 22:23 Indeed, I have kept all His ordinances in mind and have not disregarded His statutes. ESV 2 Samuel 22:23 For all his rules were before me, and from his statutes I did not turn aside. NIV 2 Samuel 22:23 All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. NLT 2 Samuel 22:23 I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees. NRS 2 Samuel 22:23 For all his ordinances were before me, and from his statutes I did not turn aside. NJB 2 Samuel 22:23 His judgements are all before me, his statutes I have not put away from me; NAB 2 Samuel 22:23 For his ordinances were all present to me, and his statutes I put not from me; YLT 2 Samuel 22:23 For all His judgments are before me, As to His statutes, I turn not from them. For all: Ps 119:6,86,128 Lu 1:6 Joh 15:14 statutes: De 6:1,2 7:12 Ps 19:8,9 119:13,30,102 I did not: De 8:11 Related Passages: Deuteronomy 6:6-9+ “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Psalm 119:30+ I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me. Psalm 119:102+ ( I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. NOT PERFECTION BUT DIRECTION! For - Term of explanation. Pause and ponder - what is David explaining (this usually forces you to re-read the previous passage)? Here he actually gives 2 answers to explain his previous statement - (1) kept His Word before him (good practice!) and (2) kept His word which he read! In other words, David was a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer only, knowing that the latter individual is actually deluding themselves into thinking they are "okay" just because they read the Word! Wrong! (see James 1:22+). All His ordinances were before me, And as for His statutes, I did not depart from them - As discussed in the previous verse, clearly David did depart from some of God's statutes, but when he did, he recognized it as sin, confessed his sin and repented. As Kirkpatrick explains "God’s commandments were continually present to his mind as the rule of life. Cp. Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalm 119:30; Psalm 119:102." CHS - "For all his judgments were before me." The word, the character, and the actions of God should be evermore before our eyes; we should learn, consider, and reverence them. Men forget what they do not wish to remember, but the excellent attributes of the Most High are objects of the believer's affectionate and delighted admiration. We should keep the image of God so constantly before us that we become in our measure conformed unto it. This inner love to the right must be the main spring of Christian integrity in our public walk. The fountain must be filled with love to holiness, and then the streams which issue from it will be pure and gracious. "I did not put away his statutes from me." To put away the Scriptures from the mind's study is the certain way to prevent their influencing the outward conversation. Backsliders begin with dusty Bibles, and go on to filthy garments. Vos points out, “David has not allowed his anger and frustration to cloud his judgment concerning the law of God, and thus to trample it underfoot. Moreover, all his ordinances were before me. He has studied and meditated on them. This passage indicates that David had a copy of at least part of the Old Testament with him during his desert wanderings, and read it or had the help of Abiathar the priest in his efforts to know God and His will more fully through his recorded word.” (Borrow 1, 2 Samuel : Bible study commentary) 2 Samuel 22:24 "I was also blameless toward Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity. BGT 2 Samuel 22:24 καὶ ἔσομαι ἄμωμος αὐτῷ καὶ προφυλάξομαι ἀπὸ τῆς ἀνομίας μου LXE 2 Samuel 22:24 And I shall be blameless before him, and will keep myself from my iniquity. KJV 2 Samuel 22:24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. NET 2 Samuel 22:24 I was blameless before him; I kept myself from sinning. CSB 2 Samuel 22:24 I was blameless before Him and kept myself from sinning. ESV 2 Samuel 22:24 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from guilt. NIV 2 Samuel 22:24 I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. NLT 2 Samuel 22:24 I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. NRS 2 Samuel 22:24 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from guilt. NJB 2 Samuel 22:24 I am blameless before him, I keep myself clear of evil. NAB 2 Samuel 22:24 But I was wholehearted toward him, and I was on my guard against guilt. YLT 2 Samuel 22:24 And I am perfect before Him, And I keep myself from mine iniquity. blameless: Ge 6:9 17:1 Job 1:1 Ps 51:6 84:11 Joh 1:47 2Co 5:11 kept: Pr 4:23 Heb 12:1 Related Passages: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jude 1:24; 25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. SAY WHAT??? I was also blameless (tamim having integrity; Lxx - amomos) toward Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity - Ah, you say to yourself, now you're really erring in your declaration David! What about the skeletons in your closet David? What about Bathsheba? What about Uriah? What about the 70,000 who died because of your sin David? No, David has not erred, because the life of a believer like David is not about perfection, but about direction. It is a life that has spiritual ups and downs, but is generally going up (look at the diagram of his life above and note how he ends his life!). Are you moving toward holiness, toward Christlikeness (cf 2Cor 3:18+), toward Heaven or are you moving the opposite direction and eternal destination! Do not be deceived! We all sin, but the question is what do we do when we sin? Do we hide it under a rug (so to speak) or do we put it under the blood (cf 1Jn 1:7, 9+)? David was not too proud to say to God "I have sinned." Are you quick to confess your sins to God? Do you even confess sins to God? If not you need to ponder 2Cor 13:5+. Romans 1:17+ says " THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." Think of the numerous times David lived by faith, in desperation crying out to God for His guidance and help and/or crying out to Him in confession and repentance. David would say that he had experienced amazing grace (unmerited favor) and that is why he could say he was blameless. And he would say the only way he could keep himself from iniquity was the same way you and I can keep ourselves from iniquity, by putting to death the deeds of the body (aka SIN) by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:13+, cf 1Sa 16:13+), a New Testament passage, but an Old Testament principle! Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — The statements of innocence, righteousness, &c., refer, doubtless, to his personal and official conduct and his purposes, during all the trials to which he was subjected in Saul’s persecutions and Absalom’s rebellions, as well as the various wars in which he had been engaged as the head and defender of God’s people. blameless with Him —In my relation to God I have been perfect as to all parts of His law. The perfection does not relate to degree. iniquity—perhaps the thought of his heart to kill Saul (1 Sa 24:6). That David does not allude to all his conduct, in all relations, is evident from Ps 51:1, etc. CHS - "I was also upright before him." Sincerity is here claimed; sincerity, such as would be accounted genuine before the bar of God. Whatever evil men might think of him, David felt that he had the good opinion of his God. Moreover, freedom from his one great besetting sin he ventures also to plead, "I kept myself from mine iniquity." It is a very gracious sign when the most violent parts of our nature have been well guarded. If the weakest link in the chain is not broken, the stronger links will be safe enough. David's impetuous temper might have led him to slay Saul when he had him within his power, but grace enabled him to keep his hands clean of the blood of his enemy; but what a wonder it was, and how well worthy of such a grateful record as these verses afford! It will be a sweet cordial to us one of these days to remember our self-denials, and to bless God that we were able to exhibit them. Blameless (without defect or blemish, perfect, integrity) (08549) tamim from the verb tamam = to be complete, entire or whole (literal sense in Lev 3:9, Ezek 15:5), refers to a action which is completed) has both physical (without defect) and spiritual (blameless, devout, upright) significance. Tamim has the fundamental idea of completeness or wholeness. Tamim deals primarily with a state of moral or ceremonial purity (e.g., animal sacrifices - 51x tamim refers to unblemished animals - Passover lamb in Ex 12:5 picturing of course Christ sinless perfection - 1Cor 5:7, "knew no sin" =2Cor 5:21) Tamim can mean blameless, complete, whole, full, perfect. Tamim can refer to the "entirety" of a period of time (7 complete Sabbaths = Lev 23:15; full year = Lev 25:30). Joshua 10:13 records the miracle of the sun standing still for a "whole (tamim) day," allowing Joshua to extract vengeance on the Amorite coalition that had attacked him. Pr 1:12 refers metaphorically to the fate of the innocent being swallowed "whole" by the wicked, even as happens to those who go to the grave. The first OT use of tamim describes Noah "These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless (Lxx = teleios = "meeting the highest standard" [BDAG]) in his time; Noah walked with God." (Ge 6:9) In the second use God tells Abraham " “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless." And remember God's commandments always include His enablements! It is thus fitting that David describes the Law of the LORD" as "perfect" (Lxx = amomos = without defects) (Ps 19:7). In fact, not only is His Word perfect, but His work is perfect (Dt 32:4) and His way is blameless (Ps 18:30) David says that the man who "may abide in" God's tent and "dwell on" His "holy hill" is the man "who walks with integrity (Lxx = amomos = without fault, morally blameless)." (Ps 15:2) Joshua in some of his parting words of wisdom to Israel declared "Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity (Lxx = euthutes = rectitude, honesty, integrity, uprightness) and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD." (Josh 24:14) The psalmist offers a great prayer we would all be wise to echo "May my heart be blameless (Lxx = amomos) in Thy statutes, that (expresses purpose or result of a blameless heart) I may not be ashamed." (Ps 119:80) One of my favorite verses in Psalms uses tamim - "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 (Lxx = akakia = guilelessness, innocence, integrity; "state of not being inclined to that which is base" [BDAG])." (Ps 84:11) The psalmist links tamim with a state of blessedness writing " How blessed are those whose way is blameless (Lxx = amomos), Who walk in the law of the LORD. (Ps 119:1) Ephesians 1:4 (note) "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless (amomos) before Him. In love" Integrity (English word) (from Latin - integritas - from integer = a whole number as opposed to a fraction . Ponder that thought when it comes to our spiritual heart! Think "singleness of purpose", cp "this one thing" - Php 3:13-note, undivided heart - see great prayer - Ps 86:11-note) - 1. Wholeness; entireness; unbroken state. The constitution of the U. States guaranties to each state the integrity of its territories. The contracting parties guarantied the integrity of the empire. 2. The entire, unimpaired state of any thing, particularly of the mind; moral soundness or purity; incorruptness; uprightness; honesty. Integrity comprehends the whole moral character, but has a special reference to uprightness in mutual dealings, transfers of property, and agencies for others. (Webster - 1828) (See Integrity - A Few Thoughts) 2 Samuel 22:25 "Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness before His eyes. BGT 2 Samuel 22:25 καὶ ἀποδώσει μοι κύριος κατὰ τὴν δικαιοσύνην μου καὶ κατὰ τὴν καθαριότητα τῶν χειρῶν μου ἐνώπιον τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ LXE 2 Samuel 22:25 And the Lord will recompense me according to my righteousness, and according to the purity of my hands in his eye-sight. KJV 2 Samuel 22:25 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight. NET 2 Samuel 22:25 The LORD rewarded me for my godly deeds; he took notice of my blameless behavior. CSB 2 Samuel 22:25 So the LORD repaid me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in His sight. ESV 2 Samuel 22:25 And the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. NIV 2 Samuel 22:25 The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. NLT 2 Samuel 22:25 The LORD rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence. NRS 2 Samuel 22:25 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. NJB 2 Samuel 22:25 Hence Yahweh repaid me for acting uprightly because he could see I was pure. NAB 2 Samuel 22:25 And the LORD requited me according to my justice, according to my innocence in his sight. YLT 2 Samuel 22:25 And Jehovah returneth to me, According to my righteousness, According to my cleanness before His eyes. recompensed: 2Sa 22:21 Isa 3:10 Ro 2:7-8 2Co 5:10 before his eyes, Pr 5:21 Related Passages: Romans 2:7-8+ to those who by perseverance in doing good (BELIEVERS DO GOOD BY GOD'S POWER) seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but (A SAD CONTRAST) to those who are selfishly (NOTE THE WORD "SELF" IS FLESH SPELLED BACKWARDS MINUS THE "H"!) ambitious and do not obey the truth (TRUE FAITH SHOWS ITSELF GENUINE BY OBEDIENCE - OBEDIENCE DOES NOT SAVE BUT SHOWS WE HAVE THE SPIRIT WITHIN WHO ENABLES US TO OBEY - WE STILL HAVE TO CHOOSE TO OBEY OF COURSE - SEE "Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible), but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 2 Corinthians 5:10+ For (explains 2Co 5:9) we must (not may or might) all (no exceptions) appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one (each and every one!) may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (not sin but just more like worthless - done in our power for our glory, not His power for His glory!). Revelation 22:14+ “Behold, I am coming quickly (See Vertical Vision), and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. Psalm 118:23 This is the LORD’S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. RIGHTEOUS LIVING PAIDS TEMPORAL & ETERNAL DIVIDENDS! Therefore - Term of conclusion. David now draws his conclusion based on his conduct described in 2Sa 22:22-24. The LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness (tsedaqah; Lxx - dikaiosune), According to my cleanness before His eyes - David was credited righteousness the same way Abraham was in Genesis 15:6+ - "Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness." That passage describes imputed (reckoned) righteousness or positional righteousness (aka "justification") but our new position in Christ is always intrinsically, intimately linked to our daily working out of practical, progressive righteousness (aka progressive sanctification). Before His eyes reminds us that "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good." (Pr 15:3) CHS - God first gives us holiness, and then rewards us for it. We are his workmanship; vessels made unto honour; and when made, the honour is not withheld from the vessel; though, in fact, it all belongs to the Potter upon whose wheel the vessel was fashioned. The prize is awarded to the flower at the show, but the gardener reared it; the child wins the prize from the schoolmaster, but the real honour of his schooling lies with the master, although instead of receiving he gives the reward. For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths --Proverbs 5:21 2 Samuel 22:26 "With the kind You show Yourself kind, With the blameless You show Yourself blameless; BGT 2 Samuel 22:26 μετὰ ὁσίου ὁσιωθήσῃ καὶ μετὰ ἀνδρὸς τελείου τελειωθήσῃ LXE 2 Samuel 22:26 With the holy thou wilt be holy, and with the perfect man thou will be perfect, KJV 2 Samuel 22:26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. NET 2 Samuel 22:26 You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful; you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent. CSB 2 Samuel 22:26 With the faithful You prove Yourself faithful; with the blameless man You prove Yourself blameless; ESV 2 Samuel 22:26 "With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; NIV 2 Samuel 22:26 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, NLT 2 Samuel 22:26 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. NRS 2 Samuel 22:26 With the loyal you show yourself loyal; with the blameless you show yourself blameless; NJB 2 Samuel 22:26 Faithful you are to the faithful, blameless with the blameless, NAB 2 Samuel 22:26 "Toward the faithful you are faithful; toward the wholehearted you are wholehearted; YLT 2 Samuel 22:26 With the kind Thou shewest Thyself kind, With the perfect man Thou shewest Thyself perfect, the kind (merciful; faithful, loyal): Mt 5:7 Jas 2:13 Related Passages: Matthew 5:7+ “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. James 2:13+ For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. GOD'S RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER With the kind (hasid; Lxx = hósios) You show Yourself kind - CSB = With the faithful You prove Yourself faithful KJV -"With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful" LXX = "With the holy thou wilt be holy." Note that even the merciful need mercy; no amount of generosity to the poor, or forgiveness to enemies, can set us beyond the need of mercy. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown — God renders to men according to their deeds in a penal, not vindictive, sense (Le 26:23, 24)." This is a great comment as it links this passage with the previous one in which recompense for the righteous is described. The one who conducts himself or herself righteously will be recompensed in kind. With the blameless (tamim having integrity; Lxx - teleios) You show Yourself blameless

2 Samuel 22

Boice - David expresses the second half of the parallel by a somewhat ambiguous word, the root meaning of which is ‘twisted.’ The verse actually says, ‘To the twisted (or crooked) you will show yourself twisted (or crooked)’…. The idea seems to be that if a person insists in going devious ways in his dealings with God, God will outwit him, as that man deserves.” Gilbrant on show Yourself astute (literally "twisted") - The significance of the twisted metaphor is expressed more clearly in two other occurrences, as it is clear that the simple, humble and honest are contrasted with those who are devious and devise complex schemes. Job 5:13 asserts that Yahweh will quickly end the complex devious plans of those who are wise. Psalm 18:26 declares that the humble will be delivered by Yahweh, but the twisted will be brought down. CHS - "With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward (difficult to deal with; contrary) thou wilt shew thyself froward." The sinner's frowardness is sinful and rebellious, and the only sense in which the term can be applied to the Most Holy God is that of judicial opposition and sternness, in which the Judge of all the earth will act at cross-purposes with the offender, and let him see that all things are not to be made subservient to wicked whims and wilful fancies. Calvin very forcibly says, "This brutish and monstrous stupidity in men compels God to invent new modes of expression, and as it were to clothe himself with a different character." There is a similar sentence in Leviticus 26:21-24, where God says, "and if ye walk contrary unto (or perversely with) me, then I will also walk contrary unto (or perversely, or roughly, or at random with) you." As if he had said that their obstinacy and stubbornness would make him on his part forget his accustomed forbearance and gentleness, and cast himself recklessly or at random against them. We see then what the stubborn at length gain by their obduracy; it is this, that God hardens himself still more to break them in pieces, and if they are of stone, he causes them to feel that he has the hardness of iron." The Jewish tradition was that the manna tasted according to each man's mouth; certainly God shows himself to each individual according to his character. Pure (purify, cleanse, choice, test) (01305) barar means to purify (as one's lips Zeph 3:9), purge out (Ezek 20:38 - which describes the future judgment of Jews at the end of the Great Tribulation to determine who enters the Millennial Kingdom of the Messiah = only saved will enter [read Ezek 20:34, 35, 36, 37, 38]), to test (Ec 3:18) or to select or choose (1Chr 7:40, 9:22, 16:41). Barar can describe a sifting or sorting out (sifting - Jer 4:11 to describe the "sifting" produced by the Babylonian invasion), which is exactly what the time of Jacob's distress (Heb = tsarah = tightness, trouble, root deals with harassment and torment engendered by an enemy, intense inner turmoil; same word used in Da 12:1 "time of distress") (Jer 30:7-note) will accomplish among the Jews. This pressure filled time of distress will produce a separation of the repentant and regenerate from the unrepentant, unregenerate. Barar is used twice in Psalm 18:26 to describe God and men - "With the pure You show Yourself pure And with the crooked You show Yourself astute." Perverted (crooked) (06141) 'iqqesh from aqash = to twist, make crooked, pervert) means twisted, perverted. The passages iqqesh is found in give a sense of the meaning - the moral, religious, and social perversion and crookedness of Israel (Dt. 32:5), the perverse in general (2Sa 22:27; Ps. 18:26; Pr 2:15; 17:20), a deceitful, perverse heart, the source of evil (Ps 101:4), as a character trait that destroys the rich (Pr 28:6), as that which is not found in wisdom (Pr 8:8), as that which God hates (Pr 11:20), as speech from a fool (Pr. 19:1). 'Iqqesh - 12v - crooked(2), crooked*(1), perverse(4), perverted(2), who is perverse(1), who has(1), who has a crooked(1). Deut. 32:5; 2 Sam. 22:27; Ps. 18:26; Ps. 101:4; Prov. 2:15; Prov. 8:8; Prov. 11:20; Prov. 17:20; Prov. 19:1; Prov. 22:5; Prov. 28:6 Astute (06617)(pathal) means to twist and figuratively means to be shrewd, to be cunning, to be devious; to wrestle. It is used to describe spiritual and relational tensions that arise, difficult situations, wrestlings (Ge 30:8). It refers to being understanding about things (2Sa 22:27; Ps. 18:26); but this can become a vice (Job 5:13; Prov. 8:8). Gilbrant - Occurring five times in the Hebrew Bible, pāthal has cognates attested in Akkadian, Ethiopic, Tigre, Arabic, Middle Hebrew and Jewish Aramaic. The verbal cognates generally connote the act of winding or entangling. The verb appears in most contexts in the sense of cunning thought. It is found four times in contrast to righteous, humble thought and action. It appears in Prov. 8:8 as a description of the words of the righteous, as a quality which is lacking in righteous speech. In the Davidic psalm of 2 Sam. 22:27, Yahweh is praised as One Who treats the pure with purity, and to the twisted (employing the synonym ʿiqqesh), He shows himself to be twisted. The significance of the twisted metaphor is expressed more clearly in two other occurrences, as it is clear that the simple, humble and honest are contrasted with those who are devious and devise complex schemes. Job 5:13 asserts that Yahweh will quickly end the complex devious plans of those who are wise. Psalm 18:26 declares that the humble will be delivered by Yahweh, but the twisted will be brought down. A physical usage of pāthal is found in Gen. 30:8, in the course of the narrative of the choosing of a name for Naphtali. Here, Rachel claims she has become entwined with her sister and has prevailed through the birth of this son (likely a wrestling metaphor). Naphtali was the second son of Rachel’s household slave, Bilhah. According to the legal context of the day, the child was legally considered to be Rachel’s. (Complete Biblical Library) Pathal - 5v - crooked(1), cunning(1), show yourself astute(2), wrestled(1). Gen. 30:8; 2 Sam. 22:27; Job 5:13; Ps. 18:26; Prov. 8:8 2 Samuel 22:28 "And You save an afflicted people; But Your eyes are on the haughty whom You abase. BGT 2 Samuel 22:28 καὶ τὸν λαὸν τὸν πτωχὸν σώσεις καὶ ὀφθαλμοὺς ἐπὶ μετεώρων ταπεινώσεις LXE 2 Samuel 22:28 And thou wilt save the poor people, and wilt bring down the eyes of the haughty. KJV 2 Samuel 22:28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down. NET 2 Samuel 22:28 You deliver oppressed people, but you watch the proud and bring them down. CSB 2 Samuel 22:28 You rescue an afflicted people, but Your eyes are set against the proud-- You humble them. ESV 2 Samuel 22:28 You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. NIV 2 Samuel 22:28 You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. NLT 2 Samuel 22:28 You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them. NRS 2 Samuel 22:28 You deliver a humble people, but your eyes are upon the haughty to bring them down. NJB 2 Samuel 22:28 you save a people that is humble and humiliate those with haughty looks. NAB 2 Samuel 22:28 You save lowly people, though on the lofty your eyes look down. YLT 2 Samuel 22:28 And the poor people Thou dost save, And Thine eyes on the high causest to fall. afflicted: Ex 3:7,8 Ps 12:5 72:12,13 140:12 Isa 61:1-3 63:9 Mt 5:3 but Your eyes: Ex 9:14-17 10:3 18:11 Job 40:11,12 Ps 138:6 Pr 21:4 Isa 2:11 Isa 5:15 37:23,28,29 Da 4:37 Jas 4:6,7 1Pe 5:5,6 Related Passages: Psalm 101:5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure (WOE!!!). Psalm 131:1 A Song of Ascents, of David. O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. SALVATION FOR THE POOR IN SPIRIT HUMILIATION FOR THE PROUD AT HEART And You save (yasha'; Lxx - sozo - save, rescue) an afflicted (ani; Lxx - ptochos = one dependent on others for support) people - Better = ESV = "You save a humble people." How does He save? David may have meant physical deliverance, but the greater sense and greatest need is spiritual deliverance. The Lxx translates afflicted with ptochos which means poor in this world's goods, literally begging, of one dependent on others for support poor, destitute. Isaiah prophesies of the spiritual deliverance of the poor (cf poor in spirit Mt 5:3+) declaring "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me (MESSIAH), because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted (ptochos); He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners." (Isa 61:1-3+) which was fulfilled by Jesus in His first "sermon" in Lk 4:18+ "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR (ptochos)."

2 Samuel 22

Boice - We do not know how much of Christ’s future work his lesser ancestor, King David, foresaw. But we, who stand on this side of the cross, know what Jesus Christ did. We know that he was smitten for us, crucified, that we might be saved from sin and protected from all harm. Are you “in Him” (ED: SEE in Christ)? Are you sheltered in the cleft of that Rock (ED: SEE NOTE ABOVE)? If you are, you can sing David’s song with full reference to the cross and resurrection. You can sing, "The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!" Vos points out, “In conclusion, David returned to praise of the Lord, who had done so much for him. In contrast to the gods of the heathen that do not exist and cannot protect their worshipers, or that may have been viewed as dying and rising with the rhythm of the seasons, David could say of his God, ‘Yahweh lives, for he is the living and saving God.’” (Borrow 1, 2 Samuel : Bible study commentary) Anderson - What a beautiful outburst of praise at the conclusion of this song. 1. It is because the Lord lives that he is all of these things to David. 2. It is because the Lord lives that he has done what he’s done for David. 3. It is because the Lord lives that he can now see David through the blood of the sacrifice. 4. It is because he lives that he is to David his lamp, his strength, and his deliverer. 2 Samuel 22:48 The God who executes vengeance for me, And brings down peoples under me, BGT 2 Samuel 22:48 ἰσχυρὸς κύριος ὁ διδοὺς ἐκδικήσεις ἐμοί παιδεύων λαοὺς ὑποκάτω μου LXE 2 Samuel 22:48 The Lord who avenges me is strong, chastening the nations under me, KJV 2 Samuel 22:48 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, NET 2 Samuel 22:48 The one true God completely vindicates me; he makes nations submit to me. CSB 2 Samuel 22:48 God-- He gives me vengeance and casts down peoples under me. ESV 2 Samuel 22:48 the God who gave me vengeance and brought down peoples under me, NIV 2 Samuel 22:48 He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, NLT 2 Samuel 22:48 He is the God who pays back those who harm me; he brings down the nations under me NRS 2 Samuel 22:48 the God who gave me vengeance and brought down peoples under me, NJB 2 Samuel 22:48 the God who gives me vengeance and crushes the peoples under me, NAB 2 Samuel 22:48 O God, who granted me vengeance, who made peoples subject to me YLT 2 Samuel 22:48 God -- who is giving vengeance to me, And bringing down peoples under me, The God who executes vengeance for me, 2Sa 18:19,31 1Sa 25:30 Ps 94:1 And brings down peoples under me: Ps 110:1 144:2 1Co 15:25 GOD DAVID'S AVENGER The God who executes vengeance for me - NLT - "He is the God who pays back those who harm me." Kirkpatrick on executes vengeance for me - For the wrongs inflicted by Saul (1 Samuel 24:12); for the insults of Nabal (1 Samuel 25:39); for the opposition of those who refused to acknowledge him as king (ch. 2 Samuel 4:8). Vengeance is the prerogative of God (Psalm 94:1), and the visible execution of it was anxiously looked for as His vindication of the righteousness and innocence of His servants. NET NOTE - Heb “The God is the one who grants vengeance to me.” The plural form of the noun “vengeance” indicates degree here, suggesting complete vengeance or vindication. In the ancient Near East military victory was sometimes viewed as a sign that one’s God had judged in favor of the victor, avenging and/or vindicating him. See, for example, Jdg 11:27, 32-33, 36. And brings down peoples under me - NET = "He makes nations submit to me." Literally God is the one who "brings down nations beneath me." Goettsche - David entrusted his future to the Lord. When he was on the run from Saul he refused to strike down the King (even when he had the opportunity). He could have fought Absalom but he waited to see what God would do. Time and again David chose to wait on the Lord. It is not our job to fix every situation. We don’t have the knowledge or the wisdom to administer true justice (even though we think we do). Only God sees the heart. Only the Lord knows the mitigating circumstances. He is the only reliable Judge. David had learned to stop keeping score. It is a waste of time to spend life holding a grudge. Many people could escape being miserable if they could learn this same lesson. God can be trusted to sort out right and wrong. We should let Him handle these things. CHS - "It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me." To rejoice in personal revenge is unhallowed and evil, but David viewed himself as the instrument of vengeance upon the enemies of God and his people, and had he not rejoiced in the success accorded to him he would have been worthy of censure. That sinners perish is in itself a painful consideration, but that the Lord's law is avenged upon those who break it is to the devout mind a theme for thankfulness. We must, however, always remember that vengeance is never ours, vengeance belongeth unto the Lord, and he is so just and withal so longsuffering in the exercise of it, that we may safely leave its administration in his hands. 2 Samuel 22:49 Who also brings me out from my enemies; You even lift me above those who rise up against me; You rescue me from the violent man. BGT 2 Samuel 22:49 καὶ ἐξάγων με ἐξ ἐχθρῶν μου καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἐπεγειρομένων μοι ὑψώσεις με ἐξ ἀνδρὸς ἀδικημάτων ῥύσῃ με LXE 2 Samuel 22:49 and bringing me out from my enemies: and thou shalt set me on high from among those that rise up against me: thou shalt deliver me from the violent man. KJV 2 Samuel 22:49 And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. NET 2 Samuel 22:49 He delivers me from my enemies; you snatch me away from those who attack me; you rescue me from violent men. CSB 2 Samuel 22:49 He frees me from my enemies. You exalt me above my adversaries; You rescue me from violent men. ESV 2 Samuel 22:49 who brought me out from my enemies; you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from men of violence. NIV 2 Samuel 22:49 who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. NLT 2 Samuel 22:49 and delivers me from my enemies. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents. NRS 2 Samuel 22:49 who brought me out from my enemies; you exalted me above my adversaries, you delivered me from the violent. NJB 2 Samuel 22:49 who takes me away from my enemies. You lift me high above those who attack me, you deliver me from the man of violence. NAB 2 Samuel 22:49 and helped me escape from my enemies, Above my adversaries you exalt me and from the violent man you rescue me. YLT 2 Samuel 22:49 And bringing me forth from mine enemies, Yea, above my withstanders Thou raisest me up. From a man of violence Thou deliverest me. Who also brings me: 2Sa 5:12 7:8,9 Nu 24:7,17-19 1Sa 2:8 Ps 18:48 the violent: Ps 52:1 140:1 GOD POWER MANIFEST IN DAVID'S LIFE Who also brings me out from my enemies - NET = "He delivers me from my enemies." Note 3 phrases each focusing God's power related to ME (David). So in this passage we see David acknowledge that it was God Who (1) brought him out (2) lifted him up and (3) rescued him. You even lift me above those who rise up against me - NET = "you snatch me away from those who attack me" Literally it reads "you lift me up.” NET NOTE says that "In light of the preceding and following references to deliverance, the verb רוּם (rum) probably here refers to being rescued from danger (see Ps 9:13). However, it could mean “exalt; elevate” here, indicating that the Lord has given him victory over his enemies and forced them to acknowledge the psalmist’s superiority." You rescue me from the violent man - NLT = "you save me from violent opponents." Kirkpatrick on the violent man - This may mean men of violence in general, but as Saul is named in the title, it is natural to see a definite reference to him in particular. Cp. Psalm 140:1; Psalm 140:4; Psalm 140:11. CHS - From all enemies, and especially from one who was pre-eminent in violence, the Lord's anointed was preserved, and at the last over the head of Saul and all other adversaries he reigned in honour. The like end awaits every saint, because Jesus who stooped to be lightly esteemed among men is now made to sit far above all principalities and powers. Anderson summarizes vv48-49 - In these 2 verses David lists 5 actions of God that make him worthy of praise and adoration: HE IS THE GOD WHO AVENGES ME. HE IS THE GOD WHO PUTS THE NATIONS UNDER ME. HE IS THE GOD WHO SETS MNE FREE FROM MY ENEMIES. HE IS THE GOD WHO HAS EXALTED ME ABOVE MY FOES. HE IS THE GOD WHO HAS RESCUED ME FROM VIOLENT MEN. 2 Samuel 22:50 "Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations, And I will sing praises to Your name. BGT 2 Samuel 22:50 διὰ τοῦτο ἐξομολογήσομαί σοι κύριε ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν καὶ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου ψαλῶ LXE 2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing to thy name. KJV 2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. NET 2 Samuel 22:50 So I will give you thanks, O LORD, before the nations! I will sing praises to you. CSB 2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I will praise You, LORD, among the nations; I will sing about Your name. ESV 2 Samuel 22:50 "For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing praises to your name. NIV 2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. NLT 2 Samuel 22:50 For this, O LORD, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. NRS 2 Samuel 22:50 For this I will extol you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing praises to your name. NJB 2 Samuel 22:50 For this I will praise you, Yahweh, among the nations, and sing praise to your name. NAB 2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore will I proclaim you, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praise to your name, YLT 2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I confess Thee, O Jehovah, among nations. And to Thy name I sing praise. among: Ro 15:9 I will sing: Ps 18:49 145:1,2 146:1,2 Isa 12:1-6 Related Passages: Psalm 96:3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. Psalm 96:10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.” Romans 15:9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, “THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.” Deuteronomy 32:43 “Rejoice, O nations, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And will render vengeance on His adversaries, And will atone for His land and His people.” Psalm 117:1 Praise the LORD, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples! Isaiah 11:10 Then in that day The nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious. DAVID RESPONDS WITH THANKSGIVING & PRAISE Therefore - Term of conclusion. The ‘therefore’ points us back to the five activities God's manifest power in his life seen in verses 48,49 and is the basis for his vocalization of thanks and praise to Yahweh. I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations - David's attitude of gratitude to God is broadcast to the pagans. NET NOTE on among the nations - This probably alludes to the fact that David will praise the Lord in the presence of the defeated nations when they, as his subjects, bring their tribute payments. Ideally God’s chosen king was to testify to the nations of God’s greatness. And I will sing praises to Your Name - And because of that David says, ‘I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name.’ Kirkpatrick - The celebration of Jehovah’s faithfulness to His servant is not to be confined within the narrow limits of Israel. His praise is to be proclaimed among the heathen, who, as they are brought under the dominion of His people, may also be brought to the knowledge of Jehovah. Cp. Psalm 96:3; Psalm 96:10. This verse is quoted by St Paul in Romans 15:9 (along with Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117:1; Isaiah 11:10), to prove that the Old Testament anticipated the admission of the Gentiles to the blessings of salvation. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown - Paul (Ro 15:9) quotes from this doxology to show that under the Old Testament economy, others than the Jews were regarded as subjects of that spiritual government of which David was head, and in which character his deliverances and victories were typical of the more illustrious triumphs of David’s greater Son. The language of Ps 18:50 justifies this view in its distinct allusion to the great promise (compare 2 Sa 7:12). In all David’s successes he saw the pledges of a fulfilment of that promise, and he mourned in all his adversities, not only in view of his personal suffering, but because he saw in them evidences of danger to the great interests which were committed to his keeping. It is in these aspects of his character that we are led properly to appreciate the importance attached to his sorrows and sufferings, his joys and successes. NET NOTE on Your Name - Heb “to your name.” God’s “Name” refers metonymically to His divine characteristics as suggested by His Name, in this case “LORD,” the primary name of Israel’s covenant God which suggests his active presence with his people (see Ex 3:12-15). CHS - Paul cites this verse (Romans 15:9): "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name." This is clear evidence that David's Lord is here, but David is here too, and is to be viewed as an example of a holy soul making its boast in God even in the presence of ungodly men. Who are the despisers of God that we should stop our mouths for them? We will sing to our God whether they like it or no, and force upon them the knowledge of his goodness. Too much politeness to traitors may be treason to our King. Let Your Balloon Go! I will give thanks to You, O Lord, . . . and sing praises to Your name. —2 Samuel 22:50 Today's Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:1-8 The participants at a conference in a church in Nebraska were given helium-filled balloons and told to release them at a point in the worship service when they felt like expressing their joy. All through the service, balloons ascended one by one. But when the meeting was over, one-third of the people had not released their balloons. I wonder if they couldn’t think of any reason to praise God. King David would have let go of his balloon when singing his song of praise recorded in 2 Samuel 22. God had delivered him from all his enemies (v.1). Earlier, when hiding from King Saul in the rocky desert, he had learned that true security is found only in God (1 Samuel 23:25). David’s heart had to “give thanks” and “sing praises,” for the Lord had become David’s rock, fortress, deliverer, stronghold, refuge, and Savior (2 Samuel 22:2-3,50). What has the Lord been for you throughout your life? Your peace in a chaotic time? Your comforter amid loss? Your forgiver of a sinful choice? Your strength in a difficult task? Take out a piece of paper and write down your list of thanks. Then take time to praise God for all He is and all He has done. From your heart give God your praise For His blessings all your days; Lift your voice to God above— God of mercy, God of love. —Hess Praise is the overflow of a joyful heart. 2 Samuel 22:51 "He is a tower of deliverance to His king, And shows lovingkindness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever." BGT 2 Samuel 22:51 μεγαλύνων σωτηρίας βασιλέως αὐτοῦ καὶ ποιῶν ἔλεος τῷ χριστῷ αὐτοῦ τῷ Δαυιδ καὶ τῷ σπέρματι αὐτοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος LXE 2 Samuel 22:51 He magnifies the salvation of his king, and works mercy for his anointed, even for David and for his seed for ever. KJV 2 Samuel 22:51 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore. NET 2 Samuel 22:51 He gives his chosen king magnificent victories; he is faithful to his chosen ruler, to David and to his descendants forever!" CSB 2 Samuel 22:51 He is a tower of salvation for His king; He shows loyalty to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever. ESV 2 Samuel 22:51 Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever." NIV 2 Samuel 22:51 He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever." NLT 2 Samuel 22:51 You give great victories to your king; you show unfailing love to your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever." NRS 2 Samuel 22:51 He is a tower of salvation for his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever. NJB 2 Samuel 22:51 He saves his king, time after time, displays faithful love for his anointed, for David and his heirs for ever. NAB 2 Samuel 22:51 You who gave great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed, to David and his posterity forever." YLT 2 Samuel 22:51 Magnifying the salvations of His king, And doing loving-kindness to His anointed, To David, and to his seed -- unto the age!' the tower: 2Sa 22:2 Ps 3:3 21:1 48:3 89:26 91:2 144:10 his anointed: Ps 18:50 89:20 seed: 2Sa 7:12,13 Ps 18:50 89:29,36 Jer 30:9 Lu 1:31-33 Rev 11:15 GOD GIVE VICTORIES, LOVINGKINDNESS AND AN EVERLASTING COVENANT He is a tower of deliverance (yeshua; Lxx - soteria) to His king, And shows lovingkindness (hesed/chesed/heced) to His anointed (mashiach; Lxx - Christos) - NET - "He gives His chosen king magnificent victories; He is faithful to his chosen ruler" NIV = "He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed." David as His anointed was a shadow of the Son of David, the greater anointed One, the Christ (mashiach; Lxx - Christos). To David and his descendants forever - Here is an allusion to the Davidic Covenant - “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.(2Sa 7:12,13+) CHS - This is the winding up verse into which the writer throws a fulness of expression, indicating the most rapturous delight of gratitude. "Great deliverance." The word "deliverance" is plural, to show the variety and completeness of the salvation; the adjective "great" is well placed if we consider from what, to what, and how we are saved. All this mercy is given to us in our King, the Lord's Anointed, and those are blessed indeed who as his seed may expect mercy to be built up for evermore. The Lord was faithful to the literal David, and he will not break his covenant with the spiritual David, for that would far more involve the honour of his crown and character. The Psalm concludes in the same loving spirit which shone upon its commencement; happy are they who can sing on from love to love, even as the pilgrims marched from strength to strength. Goettsche - It’s interesting that when David was a young man he was passionate for the Lord. Now as an old man that passion has not weakened, it has grown deeper. Through the course of life David proved what He had previously affirmed: God is faithful. David now passes these lessons on to us. We can dismiss them as the ramblings of a man who’s arteries were hardening or we can recognize them for the seasoned wisdom they contain. David is passing on the most important lessons he has learned. We would be wise to listen. He reminds us. The Lord is a Reliable foundation and our sure security, we should rest in Him. The Lord is Gracious, we should trust Him The Lord is an unfailing light, we should follow Him The Lord defends us and trains us, we should submit to Him The Lord administers justice, we should wait on him The Lord has provided a Redeemer, we should run to Him. Anointed (04899) mashiach/masiyah from mashach = to smear, anoint) is Hebrew word that in almost all OT uses is found in a compound phrase. It is a masculine noun which can function as an adjective (as in Lev 4:3,5, 16) which means "anointed." This Hebrew word is used several times to prophetically picture the Messiah, the Christ (1Sa 2:10, 35, Da 9:25-26). In the OT, priests, prophets and kings were anointed and all these offices were fulfilled in "the Mashiach," the Messiah. Lxx translates mashiach in this verse (and most of the 38 uses in the OT) with the adjective Christos which describes one who has been anointed, symbolizing appointment to a task; as a title for Jesus, designating him as the Messiah sent from God (Jn 1:41, Jn 4:25 [Greek = messias], Ro 6:4). BDAG - Christos = "fulfiller of Israelite expectation of a deliverer, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ." Vine - The New Testament title of Christ is derived from the Greek Christos which is exactly equivalent to the Hebrew mashiach, for it is also rooted in the idea of “to smear with oil.” So the term Christ emphasizes the special anointing of Jesus of Nazareth for His role as God’s chosen one. Messiah is a "Transliteration of Hebrew word (mashiach/masiyah) meaning, “anointed one” that was translated into Greek as Christos...The Old Testament and Early Jewish Background “Anointed” carries several senses in the Old Testament. All have to do with installing a person in an office in a way that the person will be regarded as accredited by Yahweh, Israel's God. Even a pagan king such as Cyrus was qualified as the Lord's anointed (Isaiah 45:1) to execute a divinely appointed task. The usual application of the term anointed was to God's representatives within the covenant people. Prophets such as Elisha were set apart in this way (1Kings 19:16 where anoint = chrio). Israel probably saw a close link between the anointed persons and God's spirit though the link is specifically mentioned only occasionally (2Ki 2:9 ). Israelite kings were particularly hailed as Yahweh's anointed. (Holman Bible Dictionary) The New Jewish Encyclopedia defines the MESSIAH as “a modified form of the Hebrew word Mashiah meaning ‘anointed,’ applied in the Bible to a person appointed for special function, such as High Priest or King. Later the term Messiah came to express the belief that a Redeemer, that is a divinely appointed individual, will in the end bring salvation to the Jewish people and to the entire human race” (p.317). See also the booklet on The Jewish Tradition of Two Messiahs ANTHROPOMORPHISMS IN 2 SAMUEL 22 His ears, 2Sa 22:7 His nostrils, 2Sa 22:9,16 His mouth, 2Sa 22:9 His feet, 2Sa 22:10 His voice, 2Sa 22:14 His eyes, 2Sa 22:25,28