'23:1-29

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Two psalms

(2Sa 22:1-23:7)

The first of these two psalms was written by David to celebrate his victories over his enemies. Later it was put to music for use in the temple services and appears in the book of Psalms as Psalm 18:1-50.

David began the psalm by praising God who constantly answered his prayers and saved him from death (2Sa 22:1-7).

God displayed his mighty power in earthquakes, wind, rain, lightning, thunder and darkness (2Sa 22:8-16), and sometimes he used these forces to save David from his enemies (2Sa 22:17-20).

God worked on behalf of David because of David’s uprightness and obedience (2Sa 22:21-25), showing that God treats people as they deserve (2Sa 22:26-30).

Because God is perfect in all his ways, David could always depend upon him (2Sa 22:31-33).

This God protected David and gave him ability as a soldier and a national leader (2Sa 22:34-37), so that he repeatedly conquered his enemies (2Sa 22:38-43).

His fame spread far and wide as foreign nations submitted to his rule (2Sa 22:44-46), but he gladly acknowledged that all his greatness came from God (2Sa 22:47-49).

Later kings of David’s dynasty could likewise be assured of God’s unfailing blessing (2Sa 22:50-51).

In the second psalm David commented briefly on the blessings that a God-fearing king brought to his people. Life under such a king had a pleasantness that could be likened to that of a morning without clouds.

As the sun benefited the grass after rain, so the king benefited his people (2Sa 23:1-4).

David’s dynasty was assured of the additional blessings of stability and lasting prosperity, because of the covenant God made with David (2Sa 22:5; cf. 2Sa 7:16).

But, like any wise ruler, David knew also that he had to punish the wicked, and he would not avoid this responsibility even though it was often difficult and dangerous (2Sa 22:6-7).