Bible Commentary

He maketh my feet like hinds’ [feet]: and setteth me upon my high places. 34. like hinds’ feet ] The hind, like the gazelle, was a type of agility, swiftness, and surefootedness, indispensable qualifications in ancient warfare. Cp. 2Sa 2:18; 1Ch 12:8. setteth me upon my high places ] The metaphor of the hind, bounding … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:34”

God [is] my strength [and] power: and he maketh my way perfect. 33. my strength and power ] Rather, my strong fortress. Psa 18:32 reads “who girdeth me with strength:” cp. 2Sa 22:40. maketh my way perfect ] Maketh is a different word from that similarly translated in Psa 18:32, and seems to express the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:33”

For who [is] God, save the LORD? and who [is] a rock, save our God? 32 37. The praise of Jehovah the giver of victory 32. For who is a strong God ( El) save Jehovah? and who is a rock, save our God ( Elhm)? Cp. ch. 2Sa 7:22; Deu 32:31; 1Sa 2:2. El, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:32”

[As for] God, his way [is] perfect; the word of the LORD [is] tried: he [is] a buckler to all them that trust in him. 31. tried ] i.e. refined: like pure gold, with no taint of earthly dross. Cp. Psa 12:6; Psa 119:140; Pro 30:5. a buckler, &c.] A shield to all them that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:31”

For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. 30. Two memorable events in David’s life seem to be here alluded to: the successful pursuit of the predatory “troop” of Amalekites which had sacked Ziklag (1 Samuel 30: in 2Sa 22:8 ; 2Sa 22:15 ; 2Sa … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:30”

For thou [art] my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. 29. For thou, &c.] For connects this verse closely with 2Sa 22:29, as the confirmation out of his own experience of the principles there enunciated. my lamp ] Illuminating all his life with the light of prosperity, as the lamp illuminates … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:29”

And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes [are] upon the haughty, [that] thou mayest bring [them] down. 28. thine eyes, &c.] Thine eyes are against the haughty, whom thou bringest low. In Psa 18:27 a more usual phrase is found: “haughty eyes dost thou bring low.” Cp. Isa 2:11-12; Isa 2:17. the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:28”

With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavory. 27. with the pure, &c.] Properly one who purifies himself. Cp. 1Jn 3:3; Mat 5:8; Psa 73:1. thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury ] Better, perverse. The man who is froward, morally distorted and perverse, is given over by … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:27”

With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, [and] with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright. 26. the merciful ] Or pious: the word includes love to God as well as to man. See note on 1Sa 2:9, and cp. Mat 5:7. the upright man ] Lit. the upright hero: the man who … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:26”

Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight. 25. The assertion of 2Sa 22:21 is repeated as the conclusion to be drawn from the review of his conduct in 2Sa 22:22-24, and is confirmed in the following verses by a consideration of the general laws … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:25”