FocusJustice, praise, warriors, and judgment
2 Samuel 22:32
KJVFor who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
The final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology.
- 22:1 And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
- 22:2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
- 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.
- 22:4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
- 22:5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
- 22:6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
- 22:7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
- 22:8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
- 22:9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
- 22:10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
- 22:11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
- 22:12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
- 22:13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
- 22:14 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
- 22:15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
- 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.
- 22:17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
- 22:18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
- 22:19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
- 22:20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
- 22:21 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
- 22:22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
- 22:23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
- 22:24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
- 22:25 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
- 22:26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
- 22:27 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
- 22:28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
- 22:29 For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
- 22:30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
- 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
- 22:32 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
- 22:33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
- 22:34 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
- 22:35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
- 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
- 22:37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
- 22:38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
- 22:39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
- 22:40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
- 22:41 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
- 22:42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
- 22:43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
- 22:44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
- 22:45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
- 22:46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
- 22:47 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
- 22:48 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
- 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.
- 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
- 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? The final compiler is unknown. Jewish tradition connects the continuation of Samuel's history with Nathan and Gad; Chronicles also names their records concerning David. Biblical references: 1 Chronicles 29:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Samuel 22:1–22:51): David addresses the LORD in a song of deliverance. The song is also presented to readers and worshippers as David's testimony. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israelite readers learning about David's kingship, God's promise to his house, and the consequences of his family's actions. Biblical references: 2 Samuel 7:12; 2 Samuel 12:10; 2 Samuel 23:1. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? David’s Song of Deliverance. Read 2 Samuel 22:1 through 2 Samuel 22:51 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The final collection brings together episodes and songs that reflect on David's reign rather than supplying a simple uninterrupted chronology. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account follows Saul's death and concerns David's reign. Its final collected episodes and songs are not all presented as a strictly sequential diary. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? David first reigns in Hebron and then in Jerusalem; campaigns and rebellions range beyond the capital. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in David’s Song of Deliverance (2 Samuel 22:1 to 2 Samuel 22:51). Start reading at 2 Samuel 22:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The promise concerning David's house is taken up in the New Testament's account of Jesus' kingship. Keep the nearer historical setting of David's family and the later messianic application distinguishable. See 2 Samuel 7:12, 2 Samuel 7:16, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Take responsibility for sin and its effects on others. God's promises should not be used to excuse a leader's conduct or silence a truthful rebuke. interpretation
Cited: 2 Samuel 22:1, 2 Samuel 22:51, 2 Samuel 7:12, 2 Samuel 7:16, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33
Who wrote it, and how we know
Other accounts of this event
David's song of deliverance
Parallel historical record or song
Related passages
- For who Deut 32:31,39 1 Sam 2:2 Isa 44:6,8 Isa 45:5-6,21 Jer 10:6-7,16
- a rock 2 Sam 22:2-3
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Samuel 22
2 Samuel 5:3 2 Samuel 7:12 2 Samuel 12:9
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 5:3 2 Samuel 7:12 2 Samuel 12:9
After Saul's death
2 Samuel 1:1–4:12FocusThe struggle over kingship
David's kingdom established
2 Samuel 5:1–10:19FocusJerusalem, the ark, promise, and victories
Sin and conflict in David's house
2 Samuel 11:1–20:26FocusConsequences and rebellion
FocusJustice, praise, warriors, and judgment
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.