David Praises God For Deliverance
July 20, 2022
Commentary
At various times in the history of Israel they tended to believe that the ark of the covenant or the king of Israel was what would save them from the hand of their enemies. In this passage David expresses how this is not so, but that the Lord is the one who has delivered him (v. 1). In these introductory words of praise he affirms that the Lord is everything to him, that He is all he needs (vv. 2-4). Death is pictured as a hunter setting traps for its victims but David knew who to turn to as he cried out to the Lord (vv. 5-7). God heard the plea of David, whose cry for help reached the ears of the Lord.
The poetic description of God’s self manifestation is related to a storm and earthquake (vv. 8-9). Earth and the heavens tremble when the Lord is angry (Isa. 13:13), at the enemies of His people (I Sam. 14:15). Smoke in the Lord’s nostrils depicts judgment against his enemies (Isa. 65:5) and burning coals represents divine punishment (Ez. 10:2). When the Lord descends from heaven His appearance is awesome (v. 10). His feet are planted on dark clouds which bring violent thunderstorms (vv. 11-12). In the brightness of the Lord’s presence a brilliant light surrounds Him as thunder and lightening routes David’s enemies (vv. 13-16).In personalizing what he just said, David explains how God reached down from heaven to save him on earth (vv. 17-20). He concludes his overall description of deliverance from his enemies by the self-revealing, all powerful God who reached down from heaven and saved him on earth. The Lord now leads to His description of God’s saving deliverance and the righteousness of those who are rescued by God (vv. 21-25).
Application
We live on Jeju Island. Many church people say their parents were Christian so they were saved in their mother’s belly. I praise the Lord that only Jesus Christ can save; not their parents (Jn. 14:6).
2 Samuel 22:1– 25 (NET)
1 David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul. 2 He said: “The Lord is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer.
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!
4 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was delivered from my enemies.
5 The waves of death engulfed me; the currents of chaos overwhelmed me.
6 The ropes of Sheol tightened around me; the snares of death trapped me.
7 In my distress I called to the Lord; I called to my God. From his heavenly temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help.
8 The earth heaved and shook; the foundations of the sky trembled. They heaved because he was angry.
9 Smoke ascended from his nose; fire devoured as it came from his mouth; he hurled down fiery coals.
10 He made the sky sink as he descended; a thick cloud was under his feet.
11 He mounted a winged angel and flew; he glided on the wings of the wind.
12 He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds.
13 From the brightness in front of him came coals of fire.
14 The Lord thundered from the sky; the Most High shouted loudly.
15 He shot arrows and scattered them, lightning and routed them.
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.
17 He reached down from above and grabbed me; he pulled me from the surging water.
18 He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me, for they were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the Lord helped me.
20 He brought me out into a wide open place; he delivered me because he was pleased with me.
21 The Lord repaid me for my godly deeds; he rewarded my blameless behavior.
22 For I have obeyed the Lord’s commands; I have not rebelled against my God.
23 For I am aware of all his regulations, and I do not reject his rules.
24 I was blameless before him; I kept myself from sinning.
25 The Lord rewarded me for my godly deeds; he took notice of my blameless behavior.