Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 22

Verse 1

David spake . At this point in his history (about 1018 B.C.) This song was written and edited by him later as Psalms 18:0 , with the full liberty of all other editors of their own work.

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

this song . Compare Exodus 15:0 .Deuteronomy 32:0 .

Verse 2

rock . Hebrew. sela = a shadow, or shelter. First occurrence.

Verse 3

The God of my rock . Septuagint and Syriac read "My God was my rock" = immovable defence (Deuteronomy 32:4 ).

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

rock . Hebrew zur = a cliff, in situ. See Psalms 18:2 ; Psalms 31:3 , Psa 31:42 , Psalms 31:9 ; Psalms 71:3 .

Verse 5

When, or, For.

ungodly men = Belial.

Verse 6

sorrows of hell = meshes of Sheol. See App-35

Verse 8

The. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "and the".

Verse 11

fly. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

was seen . Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "and darted".

wind . Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 12

Dark gathering of.

Verse 14

the MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4 .

Verse 16

channels. Hebrew. aphikim, a watercourse, con-strained by rocks or pipes or rocky channels. First occurrence. See Job 6:15 ; Job 12:21 ; Job 40:18 ; Job 41:15 .Psalms 18:15 ; Psalms 18:42 .; 2Sa 126:4 .Song of Solomon 5:12 .Isaiah 8:7 . Ezekiel 6:3 ; Ezekiel 31:12 ; Ezekiel 32:6 ; Ezekiel 34:13 ; Ezekiel 35:8 ; Ezekiel 36:4 , Ezekiel 36:6 . Joel 1:20 Joel 3:18 . See notes on these eighteen passages for the various renderings.

discovered = laid bare.

blast = nesheimah. App-16 .

breath . Hebrew ruach. App-9 .

Verse 18

from. Some codices, with Syriac and Vulgate, read "and from". Compare Psalms 18:17 .

Verse 19

prevented = got before.

Verse 23

judgments . Compare Deuteronomy 4:1 , note.

Verse 24

upright = blameless. Hebrew. tamim.

iniquity . Hebrew ' avah. App-44 .

Verse 27

show Thyself unsavoury = show Thyself ready to contend.

unsavoury = a wrestler. Compare Psalms 18:26 .

Verse 28

merciful = gracious.

And . Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this "And" in text. man. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 .

Verse 29

lamp = light.

Verse 30

By . Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Aramaean, and Syriac, read "And by".

Verse 31

GOD . Hebrew. 'El. App-4 .

word = statements. Hebrew. 'imrah, what is said. See App-73 .

is tried = hath been proved.

Verse 32

who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 33

strength = fortress.

power = strength.

maketh my way perfect : or, showeth to the blameless His way. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "my way", as in Psalms 18:32 .

Verse 34

setteth = maketh me to stand firm.

my high places . Contrast the "high places "so fatal to Jonathan and Saul (2 Samuel 1:25 ).

Verse 42

looked = looked about. But Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "cried out". Compare Psalms 18:41 .

Verse 44

strivings = contentions.

heathen = Gentile nations.

Verse 45

Strangers = foreigners.

shall submit themselves , or give a feigned and unwilling obedience.

Verse 46

shall be afraid out of their close places = shall come forth trembling from their hiding-places.

Verse 48

People = Peoples.

Verse 49

violent man : i.e. Saul.

man . Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

Verse 51

tower . Figure of speech Prosopopceia. App-6 .