2 Samuel 22: David's song of thanks to Yahweh
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
David sings a song to Yahweh on the day Yahweh rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He calls Yahweh his rock, his fortress and his savior, and tells how he cried out in distress and Yahweh came down from heaven in smoke, fire, thunder and lightning and drew him out of many waters. David says Yahweh rewarded him for keeping his ways, trained his hands for battle, and made him head of the nations. The song ends with praise to Yahweh, who shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever. A version of this song is Psalm 18.
Who is speaking?
The narrator gives the opening words in verse 1. From verse 2 to verse 51 David speaks: it is his song to Yahweh. No verse is in gold: the song is David's words about Yahweh and to Yahweh, and God speaks no words of his own in this chapter. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1David spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul,
In plain English: David spoke the words of this song to Yahweh on the day Yahweh rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
Good to know: A version of this song is . The heading of Psalm 18 has nearly the same words as this verse: "who spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." Psalm 18 begins with a line that is not here, "I love you, Yahweh, my strength", and in many places a word or two is different. Some of these are in the notes below.
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2and he said: “Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;
In plain English: He said: "Yahweh is my rock, my fortress (or: stronghold), and the one who rescues me, my very own (this Bible: my deliverer, even mine).
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3God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence.
In plain English: God is my rock, where I take shelter (this Bible: refuge). He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high tower and my place of safety (this Bible: refuge). My savior, you save me from violence.
The Hebrew word: "Horn" is qeren, which the dictionary gives as "a horn (as projecting)" and, "figuratively, power". So "the horn of my salvation" can mean the strength that saves David. uses the same picture: God "has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David".
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4I call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
In plain English: I call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised, and so I will be saved from my enemies.
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5For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
In plain English: For the waves (literally: breakers) of death were all around me. The floods of worthlessness (this Bible: ungodliness) terrified me (this Bible: made me afraid).
The Hebrew words: "Waves" is mishbar, which the dictionary gives as "a breaker (of the sea)". has "the cords of death" here instead. "Ungodliness" is beliyya'al, "worthlessness", the word for Sheba, "a wicked fellow", in .
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6The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death caught me.
In plain English: The ropes (this Bible: cords) of Sheol were around me. The traps (this Bible: snares) of death came at me.
The Hebrew word: "Sheol" is sheol, which the dictionary gives as "Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat)". This Bible leaves the word as it is.
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7In my distress, I called on Yahweh. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry came into his ears.
In plain English: In my distress I called on Yahweh. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice from his temple. My cry for help came into his ears.
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8Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
In plain English: Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of the heavens quaked and were shaken, because he was angry (literally: it burned to him).
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9Smoke went up out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it.
In plain English: Smoke went up from his nostrils, and fire came out of his mouth, burning things up (this Bible: consuming fire). Coals were set burning by it.
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10He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.
In plain English: He bent the heavens and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.
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11He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he was seen on the wings of the wind.
In plain English: He rode on a cherub and flew. Yes, he was seen (Psalm 18:10 has: he soared) on the wings of the wind.
The Hebrew words: "He was seen" is from ra'ah, which the dictionary gives as "to see". has "he soared": a different word, da'ah, which the dictionary gives as "to dart, i.e. fly rapidly". In Hebrew letters the two words differ by one letter, and the two letters look much alike.
What changes: Read the way this verse has it, Yahweh was seen on the wings of the wind. Read the way Psalm 18 has it, he flew swiftly on them. Either way, the picture is of Yahweh coming down on the wind.
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12He made darkness a shelter around himself, gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
In plain English: He made darkness a shelter all around him: a gathering (or: a sieve) of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
The Hebrew word: "Gathering" is chashrah, which the dictionary gives as "properly, a combination or gathering, i.e. of watery clouds". The STEPBible meaning for this verse gives "a sieve of waters". has "darkness of waters" here.
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13At the brightness before him, coals of fire were kindled.
In plain English: From the brightness in front of him, coals of fire were set burning.
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14Yahweh thundered from heaven. The Most High uttered his voice.
In plain English: Yahweh thundered from heaven. The Most High sent out his voice.
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15He sent out arrows and scattered them, lightning and confused them.
In plain English: He sent out arrows and scattered them, lightning, and threw them into panic (this Bible: confused them).
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16Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by Yahweh’s rebuke, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
In plain English: Then the channels of the sea could be seen. The foundations of the world were laid bare at Yahweh's rebuke, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
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17He sent from on high and he took me. He drew me out of many waters.
In plain English: He reached out (this Bible: sent) from on high and took hold of me. He drew me out of many waters.
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18He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
In plain English: He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, because they were too strong for me.
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19They came on me in the day of my calamity, but Yahweh was my support.
In plain English: They came against me on the day of my disaster (this Bible: calamity), but Yahweh was my support.
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20He also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
In plain English: He brought me out into a wide-open place. He rescued me, because he delighted in me.
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21Yahweh rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.
In plain English: Yahweh rewarded me (or: dealt with me) according to my righteousness. He paid me back according to the cleanness of my hands.
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22For I have kept Yahweh’s ways, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
In plain English: For I have kept Yahweh's ways, and have not done wrong by turning away (this Bible: wickedly departed) from my God.
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23For all his ordinances were before me. As for his statutes, I didn’t depart from them.
In plain English: For all his rulings (this Bible: ordinances) were in front of me. As for his laws (this Bible: statutes), I did not turn away from them.
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24I was also perfect toward him. I kept myself from my iniquity.
In plain English: I was also blameless (this Bible: perfect) toward him. I kept myself from my own wrongdoing (this Bible: iniquity).
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25Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in his eyesight.
In plain English: So Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.
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26With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.
In plain English: With the faithful (this Bible: merciful) you show yourself faithful. With the blameless man you show yourself blameless (this Bible: perfect).
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27With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.
In plain English: With the pure you show yourself pure. With the crooked you show yourself shrewd (or: twisted).
The Hebrew word: "Shrewd" is from patal, which the dictionary gives as "to twine, i.e. (literally) to struggle or (figuratively) be (morally) tortuous". The STEPBible meaning for this verse gives "you show yourself twisted".
What changes: Read as "shrewd", Yahweh is too wise for the crooked. Read as "twisted", he deals with the crooked in a way that matches them, as he does with the faithful, the blameless and the pure in verses 26 and 27.
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28You will save the afflicted people, but your eyes are on the arrogant, that you may bring them down.
In plain English: You save the humble (this Bible: afflicted) people, but your eyes are on the proud, to bring them down.
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29For you are my lamp, Yahweh. Yahweh will light up my darkness.
In plain English: For you are my lamp, Yahweh. Yahweh lights up my darkness.
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30For by you, I run against a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall.
In plain English: For with you I can run against a troop (or: run through a band of raiders). With my God I can leap over a wall.
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31As for God, his way is perfect. Yahweh’s word is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.
In plain English: As for God, his way is perfect. Yahweh's word is tested (or: refined). He is a shield to all who take shelter (this Bible: refuge) in him.
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32For who is God, besides Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God?
In plain English: For who is God, except Yahweh? Who is a rock, except our God?
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33God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect.
In plain English: God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect (or: he sets free the blameless, on his way).
The Hebrew words: Word for word the Hebrew reads "God, my fortress of strength, and he set free the blameless, his way". "Set free" is from natar, which the dictionary gives as "to jump, i.e. be violently agitated", and also "to terrify, shake off, untie". has "the God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect". The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "It is the Mighty One who strengthens me with might, and has prepared my way without fault".
What changes: Read the way this Bible has it, God makes David's way perfect. Read word for word, God sets the blameless free on his way. Either way, the verse says David's strength comes from God.
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34He makes his feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places.
In plain English: He makes his feet (or: my feet) like the feet of a deer, and sets me on my high places.
Good to know: The Hebrew as written says "his feet", and this Bible keeps it. has "my feet", and the rest of the verse speaks of "me".
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35He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
In plain English: He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
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36You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness has made me great.
In plain English: You have given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness (or: your answering) has made me great.
The Hebrew words: "Your gentleness" here is a word from anah. The STEPBible meaning for this verse gives "your answering". has a word the dictionary gives as "mildness", and this Bible says "gentleness" there too. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "thy propitious dealing has increased me".
What changes: Read as "your gentleness", David says Yahweh's kindness to him made him great. Read as "your answering", he says it was Yahweh answering him when he called (verse 7). Either way, David gives the credit to Yahweh.
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37You have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.
In plain English: You give my steps plenty of room under me. My feet (literally: my ankles) have not slipped.
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38I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn’t turn again until they were consumed.
In plain English: I have chased my enemies and destroyed them. I did not turn back until they were finished off (this Bible: consumed).
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39I have consumed them, and struck them through, so that they can’t arise. Yes, they have fallen under my feet.
In plain English: I have finished them off and struck them down, so that they cannot get up. Yes, they have fallen under my feet.
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40For you have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
In plain English: For you have armed me (literally: belted me) with strength for battle. You have brought down under me those who rose up against me.
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41You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.
In plain English: You have also made my enemies turn their backs (literally: give me the neck), so that I could destroy (this Bible: cut off) those who hate me.
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42They looked, but there was no one to save; even to Yahweh, but he didn’t answer them.
In plain English: They looked, but there was no one to save them. They looked even to Yahweh, but he did not answer them.
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43Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth. I crushed them as the mire of the streets, and spread them abroad.
In plain English: Then I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth. I crushed them like the mud of the streets, and stamped them flat (this Bible: spread them abroad).
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44You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people. You have kept me to be the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.
In plain English: You have also rescued me from the quarrels (this Bible: strivings) of my people. You have kept me as the head of the nations. A people I have not known will serve me.
Good to know: Here David speaks of "the strivings of my people". has "the strivings of the people", without "my".
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45The foreigners will submit themselves to me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.
In plain English: Foreigners will cringe before me (this Bible: submit themselves to me). As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.
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46The foreigners will fade away, and will come trembling out of their close places.
In plain English: Foreigners will lose heart (this Bible: fade away), and will come trembling (literally: will gird themselves) out of their strongholds (this Bible: close places).
The Hebrew word: "Come trembling" is from chagar, which the dictionary gives as "to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)". has a different word, charag, "to leap suddenly, i.e. (by implication) to be dismayed", and this Bible says "come trembling" in both places.
What changes: Read the way Psalm 18 has it, the foreigners come out of their strongholds in fear. Read with "gird", they put on their belts as they come out. Either way, they leave their strongholds.
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47Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,
In plain English: Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! May God be honored (this Bible: exalted), the rock of my salvation,
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48even the God who executes vengeance for me, who brings down peoples under me,
In plain English: the God who takes revenge (this Bible: executes vengeance) for me, who brings peoples down under me,
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49who brings me away from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.
In plain English: who brings me out away from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise against me. You rescue me from the violent man.
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50Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations, and will sing praises to your name.
In plain English: So I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations, and I will sing praises to your name.
Good to know: Paul quotes this line in : "As it is written, 'Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name.'" The same words are in .
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51He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his offspring, forever more.”
In plain English: He gives his king great victories (this Bible: great deliverance; or: he is a tower of salvation for his king), and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his offspring, forever."
The Hebrew words: The Hebrew word at the start of this verse can be read two ways. Read one way, it is magdil, "he makes great", from gadal, a word the dictionary gives with the sense of being or making "large": this is how the Hebrew text in this collection has it here and in . Read the other way, it is migdol, "a tower": the STEPBible meaning for this verse gives "the tower". "Anointed" is mashiach; see the note on .
What changes: Read as "he gives great victories", Yahweh makes his king's salvation great. Read as "tower", Yahweh is a tower of salvation for his king. Either way, the song ends with Yahweh's loving kindness to David and his offspring forever.
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