2 Samuel 22
DortA very excellent Song of praise and thanksgiving made by David, wherein he with all the strength of his spirit, extolleth his God to the highest, setting forth very lively his extreme necessities and dangers, wherein he was, by reason of the bitter persecution of all his enemies who hated him, wrongfully and continually sought his ruin and destruction: besides, describing in very lofty terms, the incomprehensible mercy and almighty power of God, who ever most wonderfully delivered his, (that were innocent, and walked in uprightness before him) and lifted him up, quelled and subdued all his enemies, and at length brought him to rest and peace. In the mean while he pointeth by the Spirit of Prophecy, at the stable, everlasting, and unconquered Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, whole type or figure he was, witness the future calling of the Gentiles to the obedience and fellowship of the Lord Christ and his Church.
1. And David spake unto the LORD the words of this Song. in the day when the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul. [i.e. Especially out of the hand of Saul, whose persecution was the most dangerous of all unto David: compare Mark 16:7.]
2. He said then: The LORD is to me my Rock, [See Deut.32.on ver.4, and 31. So below ver.47.] and my fortressed, and my helper. [Compare the 18. Psalm with this Song.]
3. God is my rock, [Heb. The God of my Rock] I will trust in him: [or, to him for refuge: so verse 31. Compare Ruth 2.on verse 12.] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, [i.e. who by his power sighteth for me, defendeth and laveth me. A comparison taken from horned beasts; that defend and protect themselves with their horns: compare Numb.32.22. & 24.8. Deut.33.on ver.17.] my high retiring place, [Heb. properly height, high place: as a height, where I hide my self, and am secure and safe. These and other comparisons are borrowed from the means, which they used in those times to hide and defend themselves from the violence of the enemies, as on Rocks, Heights, Towers, Fortresses, strong Holds &c.] and my refuge, my deliverer, thou hast delivered me from violence.
4. I called on [Heb. properly will call on; and so in the following verses. The Hebrews use many words in relating of former passages, or things already past & done, which otherwise do properly signifie the time to come: as they do also sometimes use them for the present time, or something that continually and commonly happeneth] the LORD, who is to be praised, [or, that is praised,] and I was delivered from mine enemies.
5. For Waves of death had compassed me about; brooks of Belial [i.e. Of wretched and vicious crew, or of the Devil and his instruments: see Deut.13.on v.13.] made me afraid.
6. Bands of hell [Or, of the grave: i.e. anxieties, that threatened death. oth. pains of hell] environed me: snares of death encountred me. [David doth intimating by these elegant and often flourishing speechs, that his necessities were such, that without Gods wonderful and powerful delivetance, he had been a lost and undone man for ever.]
7. When I was in distress, I called upon the LORD, and cryed to my God: and he heard my voice out of his Palace, [i.e. Out of Heaven, from whence he sent the following Wonders for David’s deliverance. Others, Temple; i.e. Tabernacle: see Psal.5.on v.8.] and my cry (entred) [this word is here inserted out of Psal.18 7.] into his ears.
8. Then the earth shook and trembled, [This is a figurative description of the Earth-quake and fearful Tempest, whereby God, being called upon by David, fought for him and his people against their enemies. Compare Judg.5.on ver.20, 21. Psal.29.5, 6, 7, & 144.5, 6, 7.] the foundations of heaven moved, and shook, [of the foundations, pillars, and powers of heaven, see Job 26.on ver. 11.] because he was kindled. [Heb. because to him was kindled, to wit, anger.]
9. Smoke went up out of his nose, and a fire out of his mouth devoured, coals were kindled by it. [Or, by him, to wit, the Lord.]
10. And he bowed the heaven, and came down, [Spoken of God after the manner of men, in regard of his workings in the air, whereby he doth manifest his special presence, in stormy winds, sweeping rains, thunder lightning, hail, &c. as followeth] and darkness was under his feet.
11. And he rode upon a Cherub, [i.e. Angel, (see Gen.3 on verse 24.) whereby the Angelical Hosts are understood, which God useth for his service, according to his good pleasure] and flew: and was seen upon the wings of the Wind.
12. And he made darkness for tents round about him; a binding together of the waters, clouds of heaven. [God holdeth the waters in the thick black clouds, as if it were bound up together, loosening and pouring down the same at his pleasure: see Job 26:8.]
13. Through the brightnes of him were coals of fire kindled. [A description of the Lightning; as verse 10.]
14. The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. [The sound of the Thunderclaps: see Psal.29.on v.3.]
15. And he sent forth arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and made them afraid. [Or, discomfited them, undid them, destroyed them, to wit, the enemies.]
16. And the deep gulphs of the sea were seen, [Through the terrible tempests, as followeth] the foundations of the world was discovered, by the rebuking of the LORD, [see Psal.9.on v.6.] from the blast of the wind of his nose. [or, of his anger. Gods anger, or wrath, is so described by comparison taken from men: compare Job 4:9. Psal.74.on v.1.]
17. He sent from on high [viz. His help, or his holy Angels: or, he put forth, to wit, his right hand, when a man and pullet him up out of the water] he took me; he drew me out of great waters. [or, many violent waters: i.e. out of deep dangers and distresses, into which I was as it were sunk, which overwhelmed me as a strong flood, and threatened to swallow me up, or carry me away. See likewise this comparison, Job 22:11. Psal.32.6. and 66.12. & 69.2, 3. & 124 4. Isa.43.2. Ezek.26.19, &c.]
18. He delivered me from my strong enemy; from my haters, because they were stronger then I.
19. They had encountered me in the day of my disaster, [compare 1 Sam.23.24, 25, 6. The Hebrew word signifieth otherwise damp. Gen.1.6. whereunto (as also unto darkness) miseries and perils are not unsitly resembled] but the LORD was a stray unto me.
20. And he brought me forth into the large place, and pulled me out: for he had a delight in me.
21. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; [i.e. The innocency or righteousness of my cause. Fro David’s enemies were in the wrong, hating and persecuting him wrongfully, or without cause: Whereas on the contrary, he was careful not to sin in any wise, even against his most bitterest enemies,or for their sakes, as notoriously appeareth in his carriage and dealing towards Saul, and in the sequel is related. Otherwise David knew full well, that he was a sinner, and was to Obtain his salvation from God, out of Free-Grace, by the Promised Seed, the Messiah, according to his own manifold acknowledgement and confessions, even here in the 24.ver. of this Chapter. See above chap.11, & 12. and Psal.51, &c.] he recompensed me according to the cleanness of mine hands. [see Gen.20.on v.5.]
22. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. [Oth. I have not dealt wickedly (in departing) from my God.]
23. For all his judgements were before me, and (as for) his Statutes, I departed not from them.
24. But I was upright before him; and I kept myself from mine iniquity. [That I might not be seduced by the corruption and wickedness that is in me, to do any unrighteous thing.]
25. So the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness, before his eyes. [Which he knew full well, which was known to him]
26. With the bountiful thou behaves thy self bountiful, with the right valiant (person) thou behaves thy self upright.
27. With the pure thou behavest thy self pure, with the perverse thou behaves thy self as (one) turned about. [Or, as a Wrastler; by wonderful, unlook for, and incomprehensible ways, ensnaring, catching, casting down, and so justly punishing the wicked, who walk in wicked and perverse ways against thee and those that be godly. oth. unsavoury; i.e. wayward, unpleasant, according to the opinion of those that understand, that here is used another word in the Hebrew, then in Psal.18.27. compare further, Leviticus 26:24, 27, 28.]
28. And thou deliverest the afflicted people; but thine eyes are against the haughty, [i.e. Proud, lofty persons] thou wilt bring them down.
29. For thou art my Lamp, [Or, Candle, Light, Lantern: i.e. the cause and author of all my prosperity, joy, and comfort] O LORD; and the LORD causeth my darkness [i.e. adversity, sorrow, grief, misery. See Gen.15.on ver.12.] to clear up. [Heb. properly he causeth my darkness to shine, he maketh it shining, or, glistering.]
30. For with thee [i.e. By thy mighty, powerful help] I do run thorough [oth. I break, or, break thorough] a band, with my God, I leap over a wall.
31. Gods way [see Gen.18.on ver.19.] is perfect; [Heb. God, his way is perfect. Oth. God is perfect (in) his way] the word of the LORD is refined: [as metal, that by Goldsmiths at purified and refined from all dross and silth. See Psal.12.7. & 119. 140. Prov.30.5.] he [viz. the LORD] is a Buckler to all that truth in him.
32. For who is God, save the LORD? [See Deut.32.39. 1 Sam.2.2. Psal.86.8. Isa.45.5.] and who is a rock, save our God? [as above ver.1, 3.]
33. God is my strength (and) power; [Or, (in the) host] and he hath perfectly opened [Heb. loosened] my way. [my passage, that I could pass in spite of mine enemies, whereas I seemed to be shut up]
34. He maketh my feet as the Hinds (feet), [viz. Swift and light in running: compare above chap.1.23.] and setteth me upon mine high places. [whereunto Iretired, to be safe and secure from mine enemies; as in Sauls time he was said to do often. Otherwise this may be compared with Deut.32.13. & 33.29. understanding it of the Forts and strong holds, which God enabled David to subdue.]
35. He teacheth mine hands to fight, [i.e. Maketh them fit for battle] so that a bow of steel [or copper] is broken by mine arms.
36. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation; [i.e. Thy saving, conquering, delivering shield; or thy salvation which was as a shield unto me] and (by) thine humble, thou hast made me great. [i.e. by that adversity, which otherwise would have destroyed me, hast wonderfully exalted me, made me great and mighty. Oth. by thy hearing, etc. i.e. in that thou hast heard my prayer. For this it’s said, Psal.18.36. by thy gentlesness, or, meekness.]
37. Thou hast made room for my foot-step [Or, going, treading] under me; [So that I went on my way freely and firmly to mine enemies, and to put thy people in safety; as in the following words is declared] and my ankles have not wavered.
38. I pursued mine enemies, [Oth. I will pursue, &c. and so in the following verse] and destroyed them, and turned not again until I had destroyed them.
39. And consumed them, and thrust them thorough, that they rose not again; but they fell under my feet.
40. For thou girdedst me about with strength for battle; thou madest them bow down under me, that rose up against me.
41. And thou gavest6 me the neck of mine enemies, of my haters; [That they fled before me: or, thou hast as it were held forth their neck unto me, that I might cut it off. See Genes.49.on verse 8. Exod.23.27.] and I destroyed them.
42. They looked out, but there was no deliverer; unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
43. Then did I beat them (as) small, as the dust of the earth; I stamped them, I spread them abroad, as the mire of the streets.
44. Thou hast also helped me out from the strivings of my people, [Which Israel had, partly with the Heathen enemies lying round about, which now are ended by my Victories; partly (whereto this seemeth chiefly to look) with my self, in the time of Saul, Isboseth, Absalom, and Seba, who all perished miserably, and Israel did submit themselves with one accord unto me] thou hast kept me (to be) an Head of the Heathen: [i.e. in so many dangers preserved me for the Kingdom] the people (which) I knew not, hath served me.
45. Strangers [Heb. sons, or, children of a stranger so in the followeth verse] have dissemblingly submitted unto me: [Heb. have lied unto me, feigned, dissembled, played the hypocrites, as hypocrites are wont to do in the prosperity of the godly; see Deut.22.on v.29. The meaning is, strange Nations, that are estranged from God and his people, have vowed obedience and serviceable unto me out of fear, although they meant it not from the heart] Assoon as (their) ear heard (of me), [Heb. at the hearing, or, with the hearing of the ear: as soon as they had heard what God had done for me] they obeyed me.
46. Strangers did fade away, [As leaves and flowers do wither and fall off] and did gird themselves out of their strong holds. [To encounter me out of their fences, or forts, or came trembling with their weapons out of their close places, being dismayed, and doubting. Oth. did quake; as Psal.18.46.i.e. ran away with quaking and trembling.]
47. The LORD liveth, and praised [Heb, blessed] be my rock, and exalted [i.e. highly praised] be God, the rock of my salvation:
48. The God that giveth me perfect vengeance, [Heb. Vengeances; i.e. perfect vengeance] and casteth down the Nations under me.
49. And that bringeth me firth from mine enemies; and thou exaltest me above them rise up against me, thou deliverest me from the man of all violence. [Heb. of violances, to wit, from Saul, who hath continually hunted after me with wrong and violence; and from others, who with malicious and bold attempt rose up against me. See Psal.5.on v.7. & 140.2, 5.]
50. Therefore, O LORD, I will praise thee among the Heathen, and I will sing Psalms unto thy Name. [Here David prophesieth of the calling of the Gentiles to the fellowship of the Lord Christ, Rom.15.9. as undoubtedly many other things in this Psalm of praise do look at the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose type, or, figure David was.]
51. (He is) a tower [Oth. That maketh great, as Psal.18.51.] of salvations, [or, victories, see above chap.8.on v.6.] of this King, [i.e.of David] and he sheweth mercy to his anointes, [compare Psal.2.2.] to David, and to his seed [i.e. to David, who was atype and ancestor (according to the flesh) of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is also called David, Jer.30.9. Ezek.34.23, 24. Hos.3.5. and sprung from his seed, Act.13.23. Rom.1.3. having also his own spiritual seed, that is, the children, whom God hath given him, Heb.2.13.] forevermore. [Compare 2 Sam.7.12.13.]