David's Song of Deliverance

2 Samuel 22

1 And David spoke z to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.

2 a He said,
b "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
 3 c my 1 God, my rock, d in whom I take refuge,
e my shield, and f the horn of my salvation,
g my stronghold and h my refuge,
my savior; you save me from violence.
 4 I call upon the Lord, who is i worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.

5 j "For the waves of death encompassed me,
the torrents of destruction assailed me; 2
6 k the cords of Sheol entangled me;
the snares of death confronted me.

7 l "In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I called.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry m came to his ears.

8 "Then n the earth reeled and rocked;
o the foundations of the heavens trembled
and quaked, because he was angry.
 9 Smoke went up from his nostrils, 3
and devouring fire from his mouth;
p glowing coals flamed forth from him.
 10 q He bowed the heavens and r came down;
s thick darkness was under his feet.
 11 He rode on a cherub and flew;
he was seen on t the wings of the wind.
 12 He made s darkness around him u his canopy,
thick clouds, a gathering of water.
 13 Out of the brightness before him
v coals of fire flamed forth.
 14 w The Lord thundered from heaven,
and the Most High uttered his voice.
 15 And he sent out x arrows and scattered them;
lightning, and routed them.
 16 Then the channels of the sea were seen;
the foundations of the world were laid bare,
at the rebuke of the Lord,
at the y blast of the breath of his nostrils.

17 z "He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
 18 He rescued me from my strong enemy,
from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
 19 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my support.
 20 a He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because b he delighted in me.

21 "The Lord c dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the d cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.
 22 e For I have kept the ways of the Lord
and have not wickedly departed from my God.
 23 f For all his rules were before me,
and from his statutes I did not turn aside.
 24 I was g blameless before him,
and I kept myself from guilt.
 25 d And the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to my cleanness in his sight.

26 h "With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
with the g blameless man you show yourself blameless;
 27 with the purified you deal purely,
and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.
 28 i You save a humble people,
j but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.
 29 k For you are my lamp, O Lord,
and my God lightens my darkness.
 30 For by you I can run against a troop,
and by my God I can leap over a wall.
 31 This God - l his way is perfect;
the m word of the Lord proves true;
he is n a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

32 "For who is God, but the Lord?
o And who is a rock, except our God?
 33 This God is my p strong refuge
and has made my 4 way blameless. 5
34 q He made my feet like the feet of a deer
and set me secure r on the heights.
 35 s He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
 36 You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your gentleness made me great.
 37 t You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet 6 did not slip;
 38 I pursued my enemies and destroyed them,
and did not turn back until they were consumed.
 39 I consumed them; I thrust them through, so that they did not rise;
they fell u under my feet.
 40 For you equipped me with strength for the battle;
you made v those who rise against me sink under me.
 41 You w made my enemies turn their backs to me, 7
those who hated me, and I destroyed them.
 42 They looked, but there was none to save;
they cried to the Lord, but x he did not answer them.
 43 I beat them fine y as the dust of the earth;
I crushed them and stamped them down z like the mire of the streets.

44 "You delivered me from strife with my people; 8
you kept me as the head of a the nations;
b people whom I had not known served me.
 45 Foreigners came cringing to me;
as soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me.
 46 Foreigners lost heart
and came trembling 9 c out of their fortresses.

47 "The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
and exalted be d my God, e the rock of my salvation,
 48 the God who gave me vengeance
and f brought down peoples under me,
 49 who brought me out from my enemies;
you exalted me above v those who rose against me;
you delivered me from g men of violence.

50 h "For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing praises to your name.
 51 i Great salvation he brings 10 to his king,
and shows steadfast love to j his anointed,
to David and his offspring k forever."

  1. Cross References
    Exodus 15:1
    Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, "I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
    Judges 5:1
    Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day:
    1 Chronicles 16:7
    Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.
  2. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:1 - 51
    And David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.
    Psalms 18:2 - 50
    The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
  3. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:4
    The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
    Psalms 31:3
    For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me.
    Psalms 71:3
    Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
    Psalms 91:2
    I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
    Psalms 144:2
    He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
  4. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:32
    For who is God, but the Lord ? And who is a rock, except our God?
    2 Samuel 22:47
    The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation.
  5. Cross References
    Hebrews 2:13
    And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me.
  6. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:31
    This God - his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
    Genesis 15:1
    After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.
  7. Cross References
    Luke 1:69
    And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 9:9
    The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a s...
    Psalms 59:9
    O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O...
    Psalms 59:16 - 17
    But I will sing of your strength; I will sing a...
    Psalms 62:2
    He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortres...
    Psalms 62:6
    He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortres...
    Proverbs 18:10
    The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the rig...
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 14:6
    You would shame the plans of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge.
    Psalms 46:7
    The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
    Psalms 46:11
    The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
    Psalms 71:7
    I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.
    Jeremiah 16:19
    O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: "Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit.
  10. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 16:25
    For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
    Psalms 48:1
    Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain.
    Psalms 96:4
    For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 42:7
    Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.
    Psalms 93:4
    Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!
    Jonah 2:3
    For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.
  12. Cross References
    Psalms 116:3
    The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.
  13. Cross References
    Psalms 116:4
    Then I called on the name of the Lord : "O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!
    Psalms 120:1
    In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.
    Jonah 2:2
    Saying, "I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.
  14. Cross References
    Psalms 18:6
    In my distress I called upon the Lord ; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
  15. Cross References
    Judges 5:4
    Lord, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the region of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens dropped, yes, the clouds dropped water.
    Psalms 77:18
    The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.
    Psalms 97:4
    His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
  16. Cross References
    Job 26:11
    The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.
  17. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:13
    Out of the brightness before him coals of fire flamed forth.
  18. Cross References
    Psalms 144:5
    Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke!
  19. Cross References
    Isaiah 64:1
    Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence -
  20. Cross References
    Exodus 20:21
    The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
    1 Kings 8:12
    Then Solomon said, "The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.
    Psalms 97:2
    Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
  21. Cross References
    Psalms 104:3
    He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind.
  22. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:10
    He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet.
  23. Cross References
    Job 36:29
    Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion?
  24. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:9
    Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.
  25. Cross References
    Job 37:4
    After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.
    Psalms 29:3
    The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters.
  26. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:23
    'And I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend my arrows on them.
    Psalms 7:13
    He has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.
    Psalms 77:17
    The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.
    Psalms 144:6
    Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out your arrows and rout them!
    Habakkuk 3:11
    The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear.
  27. Cross References
    Exodus 15:8
    At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
  28. Cross References
    Psalms 144:7
    Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from the many waters, from the hand of foreigners.
  29. Cross References
    Psalms 31:8
    And you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
    Psalms 118:5
    Out of my distress I called on the Lord ; the Lord answered me and set me free.
  30. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:26
    But if he says, 'I have no pleasure in you,' behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.
  31. Cross References
    1 Samuel 26:23
    The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord 's anointed.
    1 Kings 8:32
    Then hear in heaven and act and judge your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing his conduct on his own head, and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness.
    Psalms 7:8
    The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.
  32. Cross References
    Psalms 24:4
    He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.
  33. Cross References
    Genesis 18:19
    For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.
    Proverbs 8:32
    And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.
  34. Cross References
    Psalms 119:30
    I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.
    Psalms 119:102
    I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.
  35. Cross References
    Genesis 6:9
    These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.
    Genesis 17:1
    When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.
    Job 1:1
    There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
  36. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:21
    The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.
  37. Cross References
    Matthew 5:7
    Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
  38. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:24
    I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from guilt.
  39. Cross References
    Psalms 72:12 - 13
    For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
  40. Cross References
    Isaiah 2:11 - 12
    The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
    Isaiah 2:17
    And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
    Luke 1:51
    He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
  41. Cross References
    Job 29:3
    When his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness.
    Psalms 27:1
    The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
    2 Samuel 21:17
    But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, "You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.
  42. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:4
    The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
    Matthew 5:48
    You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
  43. Cross References
    Proverbs 30:5
    Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
  44. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:3
    My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.
    Psalms 5:12
    For you bless the righteous, O Lord ; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
    Psalms 33:20
    Our soul waits for the Lord ; he is our help and our shield.
    Psalms 59:11
    Kill them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield!
    Psalms 84:9
    Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!
  45. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:2
    He said, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.
  46. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:2
    He said, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.
    Psalms 28:8
    The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
    Psalms 31:3 - 4
    For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me.
  47. Cross References
    2 Samuel 2:18
    And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle.
  48. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:13
    He made him ride on the high places of the land, and he ate the produce of the field, and he suckled him with honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock.
    Deuteronomy 33:29
    Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs.
    Isaiah 58:14
    Then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
  49. Cross References
    Psalms 144:1
    Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.
  50. Cross References
    Proverbs 4:12
    When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.
  51. Cross References
    Malachi 4:3
    And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.
  52. Cross References
    Psalms 44:5
    Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
    Psalms 59:1
    Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me.
  53. Cross References
    Exodus 23:27
    I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.
  54. Cross References
    1 Samuel 28:6
    And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.
    Proverbs 1:28
    Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
    Isaiah 1:15
    When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.
    Micah 3:4
    Then they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil.
  55. Cross References
    2 Kings 13:7
    For there was not left to Jehoahaz an army of more than fifty horsemen and ten chariots and ten thousand footmen, for the king of Syria had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.
  56. Cross References
    Isaiah 10:6
    Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
    Micah 7:10
    Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, "Where is the Lord your God?" My eyes will look upon her; now she will be trampled down like the mire of the streets.
    Zechariah 10:5
    They shall be like mighty men in battle, trampling the foe in the mud of the streets; they shall fight because the Lord is with them, and they shall put to shame the riders on horses.
  57. Cross References
    2 Samuel 8:1 - 14
    After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
  58. Cross References
    Isaiah 55:5
    Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
  59. Cross References
    Micah 7:17
    They shall lick the dust like a serpent, like the crawling things of the earth; they shall come trembling out of their strongholds; they shall turn in dread to the Lord our God, and they shall be in fear of you.
  60. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:3
    My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.
    2 Samuel 22:32
    For who is God, but the Lord ? And who is a rock, except our God?
  61. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:15
    But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation.
    Psalms 89:26
    He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.
    Psalms 95:1
    Oh come, let us sing to the Lord ; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
  62. Cross References
    Psalms 144:2
    He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
  63. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:40
    For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.
  64. Cross References
    Psalms 140:1
    Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men.
  65. Cross References
    Romans 15:9
    And in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.
  66. Cross References
    Psalms 144:10
    Who gives victory to kings, who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.
  67. Cross References
    1 Samuel 16:12 - 13
    And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he.
    Psalms 89:20
    I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him.
  68. Cross References
    2 Samuel 7:12 - 13
    When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
    Psalms 89:29
    I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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