Worthy.Bible » ASV » 2 Samuel » Chapter 22 » Verse 40-48

2 Samuel 22:40-48 American Standard (ASV)

40 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle; Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

41 Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, That I might cut off them that hate me.

42 They looked, but there was none to save; Even unto Jehovah, but he answered them not.

43 Then did I beat them small as the dust of the earth, I did crush them as the mire of the streets, and did spread them abroad.

44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people; Thou hast kept me to be the head of the nations: A people whom I have not known shall serve me.

45 The foreigners shall submit themselves unto me: As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me.

46 The foreigners shall fade away, And shall come trembling out of their close places.

47 Jehovah liveth; And blessed be my rock; And exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,

48 Even the God that executeth vengeance for me, And that bringeth down peoples under me,

Commentary on 2 Samuel 22 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 22

2Sa 22:1-51. David's Psalm of Thanksgiving for God's Powerful Deliverance and Manifold Blessings.

The song contained in this chapter is the same as the eighteenth Psalm, where the full commentary will be given [see on Ps 18:1, &c.]. It may be sufficient simply to remark that Jewish writers have noticed a great number of very minute variations in the language of the song as recorded here, from that embodied in the Book of Psalms—which may be accounted for by the fact that this, the first copy of the poem, was carefully revised and altered by David afterwards, when it was set to the music of the tabernacle. This inspired ode was manifestly the effusion of a mind glowing with the highest fervor of piety and gratitude, and it is full of the noblest imagery that is to be found within the range even of sacred poetry. It is David's grand tribute of thanksgiving for deliverance from his numerous and powerful enemies, and establishing him in the power and glory of the kingdom.