2 Samuel 22
David’s Song of Praise (22:1–51)
(Psalm 18:1–50)
1 In earlier Old Testament books, we have read the Song of Moses” (Deuteronomy Chapter 32) and the “Song of Deborah” (Judges Chapter 5). Here in this chapter we have the “Song of David.” These “songs” are also called “psalms”; indeed, the song of David written here appears again almost unchanged as Psalm 18 in the book of Psalms.
These songs or psalms are written in a poetic style; therefore they contain figurative language that is not meant to be taken literally. However, the figures of speech express deep human and spiritual truths which have enlightened and inspired believers down through the centuries. The psalms are simply a different way of communicating the wonder and glory of God’s word. For further discussion of Old Testament psalms and poetry, see Psalms: Introduction.
2–7 In these verses, David describes how the Lord delivered him when he was in danger from his enemies. He calls the Lord a rock and a fortress (verse 2); no doubt he recalled how he had been forced to take refuge among the rocks and natural “fortresses” or strongholds of the desert (1 Samuel 23:14,29). In a similar way, God was his refuge and the horn of [his] salvation71 (verse 3). David knew that it wasn’t rocks and wilderness that protected him; it wasn’t his skill or speed or cleverness; it was God who protected him and saved him from his enemies. His true security was in God alone.
David pictures death72 as a hunter pursuing him and setting snares to trap him (verses 5–6). Whenever “death” came close to him, David called to the LORD, who from His temple (heaven) always heard David’s cry (verse 7). In verse 4, David writes: I call to the LORD . . . and I am saved. To call on the Lord was the rule of David’s life, and he was never disappointed. And the Lord is always ready to hear our call whenever we are in distress.
8–16 In these verses, David describes God’s activities in terms of natural phenomena such as earth quakes, volcaniceruptions, and thunder storms. David uses figurative words like “smoke,” “fire” and “arrows” to represent God’s anger and JUDGMENT. In verse 11, David writes: He (God) mounted the cherubim and flew. The cherubim were winged beings who symbolically supported God’s throne—the ark (Exodus 25:17–22)—and provided God with transportation. Of course, God doesn’t “need transportation”; He is everywhere. All of these word images represent man’s attempt to describe the indescribable God in terms that humans can understand.73
17–20 This awesome, powerful Creator of the universe reached down from on high and took hold of David (verse 17). What a picture! God rescued David and brought him into a spacious place (verse 20), a place of freedom, security and rest (Deuteronomy 12:10). And why did God rescue David? Because He delighted in David, He loved David. And why did God send Jesus Christ to rescue us—to save us? Because He loved us—indeed, because He loved the whole world (John 3:16).
21–25 In these verses, David writes that the Lord has dealt with him according to [David’s] righteousness (verses 21,25). David then claims that he has kept the ways of the Lord and has been blameless (verses 22–24). Perhaps David wrote this song before he committed his sin with Bathsheba; but even so, how could he call himself “blameless”?
David was not saying he was sinless or perfect; he was saying that his heart was right toward God. In particular, he was speaking in his capacity as God’s anointed king over Israel, God’s covenant people. David had kept the covenant.
When David personally sinned or failed, he confessed his sin or failure and trusted that God, in His grace and faithfulness, would forgive him and restore him (1 John 1:9). David’s righteousness did not come about by David’s efforts but by God’s grace. David’s RIGHTEOUSNESS was not his own; it came from God. God had given His HOLY SPIRIT to David (1 Samuel 16:13), and all the good that David did was done through God’s enabling power and grace.
David could have rejected God’s grace, of course; but in so doing he would have forfeited God’s righteousness. And David realized that righteousness, righteous conduct, was essential if one was to experience God’s deliverance. God does not deliver those who persist in sin and reject His grace.
So, with David, we can see that there are two essential factors in our deliverance, our salvation:first, the faith fulness—the grace—of God Himself, which David describes in verses 26–37; and second, our response—our FAITH and righteous conduct74 (see Philippians 2:12–13). Thus David was correct in saying: “The LORD has rewarded (delivered) me according to my righteousness” (verse 25).
26–30 In these verses David praises God for His faithfulness. God always acts first in His dealings with humans; but as we respond, God then responds to us in like manner. He is faithful to those who reach out to Him in faith (verse 26). To the extent our lives are blameless and pure, God will appear blameless and pure in His dealings with us. But to the crooked, God will appear shrewd; and He will bring the haughty low (verses 27–28). Thus God’s response to the godly is positive and affirming, but His response to the ungodly is negative. David is here putting himself in the place of the “faithful,” “blameless” and “pure”; and he is calling his enemies “crooked” and “haughty.” And David has every expectation that God will deliver him and at the same time bring his enemies low (see Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5–6).
31–46 In these verses David continues to praise God for the marvelous way in which He delivered David from his enemies and enabled him to emerge victorious. Notice that David’s language is vivid and sometimes overstated—a common feature of poetry.75
David writes: God’s way is perfect (verse 31) and He makes my way perfect (verse 33). God’s goal for each of us is that we be like Him—that we be perfect as He is perfect (Matthew 5:48), that we be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44–45; 1 Peter 1:16). Paul writes that God has predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of his Son (Romans 8:29). This is the highest goal any human can aspire to (see Philippians 3:12–14).
47–51 The LORD lives! David’s Lord is not a lifeless, helpless idol; He is the living God (Deuteronomy 5:26; 1 Samuel 17:26). The Lord is a Rock—a God of mighty power; at the same time, the Lord is a Savior—a God of redeeming grace (verse 47). There is no God like Him! Therefore, says David, I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations (verse 50). The Apostle Paul quoted this verse in Romans 15:9 to show that David’s God was not only a God of the Israelites but also of the nations—the Gentiles. David’s God was so great that all the world needed to know about Him.
In verse 51, David indicates that he has written this song in his capacity as God’s anointed king of Israel. He acknowledges that God has promised to show unfailing kindness not only to himself but also to his descendants forever. God had made this covenant promise to David through the prophet Nathan (see 2 Samuel 7:12–16). It was fulfilled initially through David’s son Solomon, but it has now been fulfilled for all time through David’s greater Son Jesus Christ (Luke 1:31–33).
This song of David reveals many wonderful truths that are crucial for Christians today. It teaches us that it’s not enough to simply expect God’s blessings; we must step out in obedient faith and appropriate those blessings (Acts 5:32). The song teaches us that we do not “earn” salvation by our good works—because we have already been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8)—just as David belonged to the Lord through faith. But as for blessings and rewards, those are granted to us according to our obedience, according to “our” righteousness (verses 21,25).
Finally, this song looks forward to the descendants of David, and in particular to that ultimate descendant, Jesus Christ, who would establish David’s kingdom forever and at whose name every knee should bow (Philippians 2:9–11).
