NOTES for Sa2 22:1-51

The song composed by David and also included in the Book of Psalms is not placed by chance at this point in the Second Book of Samuel, where the turbulent life of David, now drawing toward its close, is summed up. In this psalm, which reflects David's sense of a profound bond with the Lord, he depicts His actions through images of the forces of nature, before which nothing in the world can stand. But the Lord is manifested not only in the forces of nature: His will is also at work among people. He preserves David amid the abyss of calamities and delivers him from them; it is the Lord who gives strength, and this explains David's repeated use of the image of a shield as a symbol of the protection that comes from the Lord.

David realizes that he must follow the truth that comes from God; otherwise it would be pointless to count on His help. Because David's enemies oppose the Lord's will, He grants victories over them.

David is accustomed to fighting foreign pagans. Yet even in this psalm he not only thanks the Lord for his victories but also expresses his desire to sing His praises among the nations. Does this not suggest that, even after many years of fighting pagans, David still hoped that they would turn to the God of Israel?