The Book of II Samuel
Chapter 22
David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving
David The Psalmist
In studying the life of David, it is sometimes easy to forget that he wrote many of the Psalms including this psalm of thanksgiving. We see him as a mighty warrior and a great king, a man of sorrows, despised and rejected of men, acquainted with grief and subject to sin as are all of us. Yet let us not forget that David was also a musician and poet extraordinaire whose sole inspiration was the God of his salvation.
A Prophecy of Christ’s Victory
In this Psalm there is both an immediate and a prophetic meaning, both an historical and a future significance. In its prophetic meaning it foretells Christ’s triumph over death by the mighty power of God (Eph. 1:19). David thankfully recounts the glorious works of God on his behalf, yet in such language as rises above himself, to his Son and Lord, against whom all the powers of darkness were concentrated. David had many enemies. Why was this? God so ordered it that he might be a type of Christ, who, throughout the ages has been "despised and rejected of men." In doing that God displays more vividly demonstrates His faithfulness and power in preserving His own. This should be an encouragement to us that the forces of hell shall never defeat us.
Extolling The Lord’s Delivering Power
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:
The fact that this psalm was sung “in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies” shows that it was written in the latter part of David’s life.
After all the troubles that David went through, his strong sentiment was still thankfulness to the Lord. We don’t have to wait for the Lord to deliver us out of all of our troubles before giving thanks. We can be thankful while we are being tested:
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
- When things are going bad give thanks.
- When things are going well give thanks.
- All things are working together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Rom 5:8), so give thanks.
- The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?(Ps 118:6), so give thanks.
- We have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, so give thanks.
- In every thing give thanks.
- You are in God’s spiritual training program and he has a plan for your life, so be thankful.
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.
Notice the connection between verses 1. and 2. In 1. David perceived that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies. Then in verse 2. David says that “in him will I trust”. We are saved by faith when we come to Christ. But then as we walk with the Lord we build up a portfolio of life experiences and begin to see how God is taking care of us. This makes our faith increase. It produces confidence in the Lord and his ability and willingness to deliver us from every trouble.
The rock is a place where you hide. It represents an unmovable object. We are safe in the Lord. Satan cannot touch us. He cannot get at us because we are in our fortress; we are behind our shield. He cannot snatch us away from the Father. Those who are saved by our Deliverer are eternally secure.
22:4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Praising God’s Mercies
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;
Yes, things were looking pretty bad all right. You think that you have troubles? Let me tell you about trouble:
- Waves of death crashed over him,
- It seemed like his little boat was ready to sink
- Floods of ungodly men after him,
- The floodwaters were rising. He was up to his neck in alligators
- Sorrows of hell surrounded him
- Snares of death trapped him.
- Have you ever felt trapped by something. Jesus said that the truth shall set you free. We need to take hold of that promise and run with it.
What’s a person to do when they get into these kinds of situations? Well, David called upon the Lord. When we are compassed about with trials and tribulations, we too need to call upon the Lord as David did.
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.
The Lord was listening. He was ready to hear. The Lord is omnipresent but he manifests his presence in a special way in his tabernacle in heaven where his divine presence dwells, but David’s prayers reached him all the way there. The Lord didn’t call back from behind the door of his temple and say, “Go away, I have more important things to do!” And he wasn’t like the false god Baal when the priests of Baal called upon him to bring down fire out of heaven but nothing happened.
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.
God’s hot anger is against David’s enemies who represent Satan, his minions and all those who oppose God. Anger is part of God’s personality. God is angry at sin. God’s hot anger is called “wrath”. God loves the sinner but hates the sin and calls all people everywhere to repent.
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.
See the Lord didn’t waste any time. He got busy. He flew to David’s resuce.
22:12 And he made darkness pavilions <a canopy> round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
You couldn’t see what the Lord was up to with your eyes. He covered what he was doing with darkness. The enemies didn’t perceive that the Lord was against them. But the Lord was working in David’s life in mighty ways.
People can see God's creative work. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handywork (Psa. 19:1). When we see the creation we should know that there is a Creator. The creation shows evidence of intelligent design. And where there is a design there is also a designer. Intelligent design doesn't happen randomly. So the natural mind can perceive the creative work of God and know that there is a Creator.
However, the natural mind cannot observe the kingdom of God at work. Jesus told Nicodemus: " Except a man be born again, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God." (John 3:3). At this point in their conversation, Jesus had not yet mentioned anything about entering the kingdom of God.
The Mystery of The Will of God Eph 3:9-11:
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Sam 22:13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
The Lord was getting pretty hot with anger. Things were starting to heat up. He lit up the place. He is angry at sin and wickedness.
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.
The Lord took decisive action. He didn’t pussyfoot around. He was effective and got results. The Lord showed his power in behalf of his servant.
22:17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
Have you ever been in too deep? The Lord can take hold of you and pull you out of deep waters. Notice how v. 17 ascribes all the deliverance to the Lord. He sent, he took, he drew.
22:18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
Why did God deliver him? He delivered him because his enemies were too strong for him. If we are trusting in our own strength, God will not deliver us. We need to recognize and acknowledge the fact that we are weak in order to tap into God’s strength. It takes humility to acknowledge our weaknesses.
The Apostle Paul said that God gave him a weakness to keep him from becoming too proud. When we recognize our infirmities, the power of Christ can rest upon us. So that when we are weak we become very strong.
2 Cor 12:7-10:
2 Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2 Cor 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Do you want to get strong? Then you need to get weak. This is God’s way. “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1 Cor 1:27). This is one of those incredible verses that make me know that the Bible is true. Only the mind of God could have come up with this because it runs contrary to the logic of the natural man’s mind. When I am weak, then am I strong?
You see God set things up so that:
- You can’t be real smart and figure out your way into heaven. He chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
- You can’t work your way into heaven by doing good deeds because salvation is the gift of God.
- If you want to save your life then you must lose it.
- You can love your enemies.
- The poor in spirit own the kingdom of heaven.
These concepts don’t make sense from the world’s point of view, but they make perfect sense from God’s perspective.
19 They prevented <confronted> me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay <support>.
Do you know what a support does? It holds you up. When you are weak you need a good support. What’s your support? Are you leaning on the Lord? Or are you leaning on your own understanding and your own strength?
20 He brought me forth also into a large <spacious> place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
The “snares of death” had captured David (v. 6), but now the Lord brought him out into a “spacious place”. Now he was free.
Jesus told some believers that the truth would set them free. John 8:31-36:
Jn 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Jn 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Jn 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Jn 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Jn 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Jn 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
The truth of God’s word can set us free from the bondage of sin. We don’t become sin free during this life. That is something that will happen when we receive our glorified bodies. But now we don’t have to be the slave of sin. We don’t have to be willful, practicing sinners. We can sow to the spirit.
David went down to the cave of Adullam to hide from his enemies. He was in a confined place there, not a spacious place. But David was already a saved person when he was hiding from Saul. He already had a relationship with the Lord. So there is another illustration here of the Christian life. Sometimes God lets trouble constrain us in our Christian walk. Joseph knew the Lord but he spent years in prison when Potipher’s wife falsely accused him.
This is a principle of how God deals with his people. We can lay hold of it by faith. It should be a blessed comfort to those who are oppressed and despondent. You see the cave precedes the kingdom. The prison precedes the Pharoh’s palace. Psalm 30:5 says “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Our whole life is governed by that principle. This life is like weeping that endures for a night, but the joy of heaven comes in the eternal morning.
Paul put it like this:
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom 8:16-18).
This is also a prophecy of the Lord’s own day of calamity. That was the day that they arrested him, spit in his face and struck him on the head with rods. They scoured him and jammed a crown of thorns on his head. They laid a cross on him and led him through the streets like a common criminal to the place where they crucified him.
But the Lord was his “stay”. Because God delighted in him he delivered him from the grave. Jesus said: “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” (John 8:29).
Isaiah prophesied that Messiah would be upheld by God, that the Lord would be his stay and that the Lord would delight in him.
Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
The Testimony of A Clear Conscience
2 Sam 22:21 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
How could David say “The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness” after all the sins he committed? Verses 21-25 speak of David’s innocence with respect to his enemies. He had done nothing to wrong them. These verses relate to that specific period in his life where the Lord wrought victory over his enemies. In other writings in both the historical books and in the Psalms he confesses his sins, but that is not within the scope of these passages.
There are times when we should apply the mournful language of Psalm 38 or the confessions of Psalm 51, but there are other times when we should apply the victorious language of 2 Samuel 22. In other words, if there are times when the Christian can only sigh and groan, there are also seasons when he should sing and celebrate his triumphs. If we have triumphs we should give the Lord the credit for them.
Sometimes Christians get hung up on their failures and don’t feel like praising God for their victories. What are your victories?
- Are you still saved?
- Have you totally backslidden and gone out of fellowship with God? Many have. If you have not, you have a victory.
- Has Satan drawn you away into some false teaching? He has deceived millions. If he has not deceived you, then you have a triumph.
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.
While Saul and Absalom were chasing him, David did not give up on the Lord. He did not quit being faithful to the Lord as his psalms from this period show. He continued to be of a deeply spiritual character.
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.
In order to live with a clear conscience toward all men we need love our enemies as the Lord Jesus taught. Pauls expands on the concept in the 12 th chapter of Romans:
Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom 12:14-21
When somebody cuts you off on the road, don’t curse him or her. Instead pray for them. Besides pronouncing a blessing on them you will feel better and you will be growing spiritually. Think of it as a spiritual exercise. You are “working out” your salvation.
But this example doesn’t even get to what Paul is referring to in Romans 12. In verse 14 he said to bless them that “persecute” you. Suppose you are serving the Lord by telling someone about Jesus. Here in the United States the type of persecution that you might usually encounter would likely be ridicule or maybe some harsh words. People might shun you or even have some passive-aggressive behavior against you. With this worldly age direct confrontation is out of style. Backstabbing is in. But we are not to repay evil to anyone. We are not only to pray for those who persecute us, we are also to actively seek to aid them. If he is hungry, feed him. Now this does not apply to an actual time of battle in war. You cannot feed someone who is currently trying to kill you.
Verses 21-25 have a dual significance. They are also a prophecy of Christ. "I have kept the ways of the Lord": when Jesus was tempted to forsake those ways, He cried, "get thee hence, Satan." "And have not wickedly departed from My God": "Which of you convinceth Me of sin?" (John 8:46) was his question to those who challenged him. "For all His judgments were before Me": "I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me" (John 17:8) he proclaimed. "I was also upright before Him": "I do always those things that please Him" (John 8:29) was His declaration. "And have kept Myself from Mine iniquity": instead of killing those who came to arrest, he healed one of them (Luke 22:51). "Therefore the Lord hath recompensed Me according to My righteousness". The recompense he received from God was being raised from the dead.
2 Sam 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.
Verses 26-28 set forth some general principles in God’s word. Mercy, righteousness and holiness will be the joy of the saved at the final judgment. It’s God’s ultimate application of the law of sowing and reaping.
Jesus taught the same principles in Matthew chapter 5:
Matt 5:5-10:
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Prophecy of Christ’s Glorious Victories
29 For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
A lamp is something that lets you see when there is darkness. If there is light all around you don’t need a lamp. The lamp shows you what is going on around you. It illuminates your path. You can see where you are going. You don’t have to be lost in the darkness.
30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
Verse 30 isn’t about David’s narrow escapes. As Christians we should be on the offensive in this spiritual war. This verse describes different military assaults. We need to be advancing, not retreating. A wall of opposition may obstruct our progress, but through our God we can scale that wall. We cant’ let our failures keep us from being victorious.
31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried < proven flawless>: he is a buckler <shield> to all them that trust in him.
Have you tried and proven the word of the Lord? You first take his word by faith under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Then God will prove his word to you as you go through the Christian life.
32 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
This does not mean that we will never make a mistake or stumble. It means that the strength we get from God will enable us to finish the course of our lives:
“ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform <complete> it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6)
34 He maketh my feet like hinds' <deer> feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
41 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
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.
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.
45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
47 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
48 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
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.
50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
51 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
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