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2 Samuel 22
1599 Geneva Bible
2 Samuel 22
1599 Geneva Bible
22 2 David after his victories praiseth God. 8 The anger of God toward the wicked. 44 He prophesieth of the rejection of the Jews, and vocation of the Gentiles.
1 And David spake the words of this [a]song unto the Lord, what time the Lord had delivered him out of the hands of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul.
2 And he said, (A)The Lord is my [b]rock and my fortress, and he that delivereth me.
3 God is my [c]strength, in him will I trust: my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower and my refuge: my Savior, thou hast saved me from violence.
4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be safe from mine enemies.
5 For the [d]pangs of death have compassed me: the floods of ungodliness have made me afraid.
6 The sorrows of the grave compassed me about: the snares of death overtook me.
7 But in my tribulation did I call upon the Lord, and cry to my God, and he did hear my voice out of his Temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
8 Then the earth trembled and quaked: the foundations of the heavens moved and shook, because he was angry.
9 [e]Smoke went out at his nostrils, and consuming [f]fire out of his mouth: coals were kindled thereat.
10 He [g]bowed the heavens also, and came down, and darkness was under his feet.
11 And he rode upon [h]Cherub and did fly, and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
12 And he made darkness a Tabernacle round about him, even the gatherings of waters, and the clouds of the air.
13 At the brightness of his presence [i]the coals of fire were kindled.
14 The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most High gave his voice.
15 He shot arrows also, and scattered them: to wit, lightning, and destroyed them.
16 The [j]channels also of the sea appeared, even the foundations of the world were discovered by the rebuking of the Lord, and at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17 He sent from above, and took me: he drew me out of many waters.
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
19 They [k]prevented me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay,
20 And brought me forth into a large place: he delivered me, because he favored me.
21 The Lord rewarded me according to my [l]righteousness: according to the pureness of mine hands he recompensed me.
22 For I kept the ways of the Lord, and did not [m]wickedly against my God.
23 For all his laws were before me, and his statutes: I did not depart therefrom.
24 I was upright also toward him, and have kept me from my wickedness.
25 Therefore the Lord did reward me according to my righteousness, according to my pureness before his eyes.
26 With the godly thou wilt show thyself godly: with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright.
27 With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure, and with the [n]froward thou wilt show thyself froward.
28 Thus thou wilt save the poor people: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, to humble them.
29 Surely thou art my light, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.
30 For by thee have I broken through an host, and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
31 The way of God is [o]uncorrupt: the word of the Lord is tried in the fire: he is a shield to all that trust in him.
32 For who is God besides the Lord? and who is mighty, save our God?
33 God is my strength in battle, and maketh my way upright.
34 He maketh my feet like [p]hinds feet, and hath set me upon mine high places.
35 He teacheth mine hands to fight, so that a bowl [q]of brass is broken with mine arms.
36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation, and thy loving kindness hath caused me to increase.
37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, and mine heels have not slid.
38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them, and have not turned again until I had consumed them.
39 Yea, I have consumed them and thrust them through, and they shall not arise, but shall fall under my feet.
40 For thou hast [r]girded me with power to battle, and them that rose against me, hast thou subdued under me.
41 And thou hast given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42 They looked about, but there was none to save them, even unto the [s]Lord, but he answered them not.
43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth: I did tread them flat as the clay of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44 Thou hast also delivered me from the contentions of my [t]people: thou hast preserved me to be the head over nations: the people which I knew not, do serve me.
45 Strangers [u]shall be in subjection to me: as soon as they hear, they shall obey me.
46 Strangers shall shrink away, and fear in their privy chambers.
47 Let the Lord live, [v]and blessed be my strength: and God, even the force of my salvation be exalted.
48 It is God that giveth me power to revenge me, and subdue the people under me,
49 And rescueth me from mine enemies: (thou also hast lift me up from them that rose against me, thou hast delivered me from the cruel man.
50 Therefore I will praise thee, O Lord, among the (B)nations, and will sing unto thy Name.)
51 He is the tower of salvation for his King, and showeth mercy to his anointed, even to David, and to his seed (C)forever.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 22:1 In token of the wonderful benefits that he received of God.
- 2 Samuel 22:2 By the diversity of these comfortable means, he showeth how his faith was strengthened in all tentations.
- 2 Samuel 22:3 Or, rock.
- 2 Samuel 22:5 As David (who was the figure of Christ) was by God’s power delivered from all dangers: so Christ and his Church shall overcome most grievous dangers, tyranny and death.
- 2 Samuel 22:9 That is, clouds, and vapors.
- 2 Samuel 22:9 Lightning and thundering.
- 2 Samuel 22:10 So it seemeth when the air is dark.
- 2 Samuel 22:11 To fly in a moment through the world.
- 2 Samuel 22:13 By this description of a tempest he declareth the power of God against his enemies.
- 2 Samuel 22:16 He alludeth to the miracle of the red Sea.
- 2 Samuel 22:19 I was so beset, that all means seemed to fail.
- 2 Samuel 22:21 Toward Saul and mine enemies.
- 2 Samuel 22:22 I attempted nothing without his commandment.
- 2 Samuel 22:27 Their wickedness is cause that thou seemest to forget thy wonted mercy.
- 2 Samuel 22:31 The manner that God useth to succor his, never faileth.
- 2 Samuel 22:34 He useth extraordinary means to make me win most strongholds.
- 2 Samuel 22:35 Or, steel.
- 2 Samuel 22:40 He acknowledgeth that God was the author of his victories, who gave him strength.
- 2 Samuel 22:42 The wicked in their necessity are compelled to flee to God, but it is too late.
- 2 Samuel 22:44 Meaning, of the Jews, who conspired against me.
- 2 Samuel 22:45 Not willingly obeying me, but dissemblingly.
- 2 Samuel 22:47 Let him show his power, that he is the governor of all the world.
2 Samuel 22
New International Version
2 Samuel 22
New International Version
David’s Song of Praise(A)
22 David sang(B) to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said:
“The Lord is my rock,(C) my fortress(D) and my deliverer;(E)
3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,(F)
my shield[a](G) and the horn[b](H) of my salvation.
He is my stronghold,(I) my refuge and my savior—
from violent people you save me.
4 “I called to the Lord, who is worthy(J) of praise,
and have been saved from my enemies.
5 The waves(K) of death swirled about me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
6 The cords of the grave(L) coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
7 “In my distress(M) I called(N) to the Lord;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.
8 The earth(O) trembled and quaked,(P)
the foundations(Q) of the heavens[c] shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
9 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire(R) came from his mouth,
burning coals(S) blazed out of it.
10 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds(T) were under his feet.
11 He mounted the cherubim(U) and flew;
he soared[d] on the wings of the wind.(V)
12 He made darkness(W) his canopy around him—
the dark[e] rain clouds of the sky.
13 Out of the brightness of his presence
bolts of lightning(X) blazed forth.
14 The Lord thundered(Y) from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
15 He shot his arrows(Z) and scattered the enemy,
with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
16 The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at the rebuke(AA) of the Lord,
at the blast(AB) of breath from his nostrils.
17 “He reached down from on high(AC) and took hold of me;
he drew(AD) me out of deep waters.
18 He rescued(AE) me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.(AF)
20 He brought me out into a spacious(AG) place;
he rescued(AH) me because he delighted(AI) in me.(AJ)
21 “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;(AK)
according to the cleanness(AL) of my hands(AM) he has rewarded me.
22 For I have kept(AN) the ways of the Lord;
I am not guilty of turning from my God.
23 All his laws are before me;(AO)
I have not turned(AP) away from his decrees.
24 I have been blameless(AQ) before him
and have kept myself from sin.
25 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,(AR)
according to my cleanness[f] in his sight.
26 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
27 to the pure(AS) you show yourself pure,
but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.(AT)
28 You save the humble,(AU)
but your eyes are on the haughty(AV) to bring them low.(AW)
29 You, Lord, are my lamp;(AX)
the Lord turns my darkness into light.
30 With your help I can advance against a troop[g];
with my God I can scale a wall.
31 “As for God, his way is perfect:(AY)
The Lord’s word is flawless;(AZ)
he shields(BA) all who take refuge in him.
32 For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock(BB) except our God?(BC)
33 It is God who arms me with strength[h]
and keeps my way secure.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;(BD)
he causes me to stand on the heights.(BE)
35 He trains my hands(BF) for battle;
my arms can bend a bow(BG) of bronze.
36 You make your saving help my shield;(BH)
your help has made[i] me great.
37 You provide a broad path(BI) for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.
38 “I pursued my enemies and crushed them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
39 I crushed(BJ) them completely, and they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
40 You armed me with strength for battle;
you humbled my adversaries before me.(BK)
41 You made my enemies turn their backs(BL) in flight,
and I destroyed my foes.
42 They cried for help,(BM) but there was no one to save them—(BN)
to the Lord, but he did not answer.(BO)
43 I beat them as fine as the dust(BP) of the earth;
I pounded and trampled(BQ) them like mud(BR) in the streets.
44 “You have delivered(BS) me from the attacks of the peoples;
you have preserved(BT) me as the head of nations.
People(BU) I did not know now serve me,
45 foreigners cower(BV) before me;
as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.(BW)
46 They all lose heart;
they come trembling[j](BX) from their strongholds.
47 “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted(BY) be my God, the Rock, my Savior!(BZ)
48 He is the God who avenges(CA) me,(CB)
who puts the nations under me,
49 who sets me free from my enemies.(CC)
You exalted me(CD) above my foes;
from a violent man you rescued me.
50 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing the praises(CE) of your name.(CF)
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 22:3 Or sovereign
- 2 Samuel 22:3 Horn here symbolizes strength.
- 2 Samuel 22:8 Hebrew; Vulgate and Syriac (see also Psalm 18:7) mountains
- 2 Samuel 22:11 Many Hebrew manuscripts (see also Psalm 18:10); most Hebrew manuscripts appeared
- 2 Samuel 22:12 Septuagint (see also Psalm 18:11); Hebrew massed
- 2 Samuel 22:25 Hebrew; Septuagint and Vulgate (see also Psalm 18:24) to the cleanness of my hands
- 2 Samuel 22:30 Or can run through a barricade
- 2 Samuel 22:33 Dead Sea Scrolls, some Septuagint manuscripts, Vulgate and Syriac (see also Psalm 18:32); Masoretic Text who is my strong refuge
- 2 Samuel 22:36 Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text shield; / you stoop down to make
- 2 Samuel 22:46 Some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate (see also Psalm 18:45); Masoretic Text they arm themselves
2 Samuel 22
English Standard Version
2 Samuel 22
English Standard Version
David's Song of Deliverance
22 And David spoke (A)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 (B)He said,
(C)“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
3 (D)my[a] God, my rock, (E)in whom I take refuge,
(F)my shield, and (G)the horn of my salvation,
(H)my stronghold and (I)my refuge,
my savior; you save me from violence.
4 I call upon the Lord, who is (J)worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
5 (K)“For the waves of death encompassed me,
the torrents of destruction assailed me;[b]
6 (L)the cords of Sheol entangled me;
the snares of death confronted me.
7 (M)“In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I called.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry (N)came to his ears.
8 “Then (O)the earth reeled and rocked;
(P)the foundations of the heavens trembled
and quaked, because he was angry.
9 Smoke went up from his nostrils,[c]
and devouring fire from his mouth;
(Q)glowing coals flamed forth from him.
10 (R)He bowed the heavens and (S)came down;
(T)thick darkness was under his feet.
11 He rode on a cherub and flew;
he was seen on (U)the wings of the wind.
12 He made (V)darkness around him (W)his canopy,
thick clouds, a gathering of water.
13 Out of the brightness before him
(X)coals of fire flamed forth.
14 (Y)The Lord thundered from heaven,
and the Most High uttered his voice.
15 And he sent out (Z)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 (AA)blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17 (AB)“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 (AC)He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because (AD)he delighted in me.
21 “The Lord (AE)dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the (AF)cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.
22 (AG)For I have kept the ways of the Lord
and have not wickedly departed from my God.
23 (AH)For all his rules were before me,
and from his statutes I did not turn aside.
24 I was (AI)blameless before him,
and I kept myself from guilt.
25 (AJ)And the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to my cleanness in his sight.
26 (AK)“With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
with the (AL)blameless man you show yourself blameless;
27 with the purified you deal purely,
and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.
28 (AM)You save a humble people,
(AN)but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.
29 (AO)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—(AP)his way is perfect;
the (AQ)word of the Lord proves true;
he is (AR)a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
32 “For who is God, but the Lord?
(AS)And who is a rock, except our God?
33 This God is my (AT)strong refuge
and has made my[d] way blameless.[e]
34 (AU)He made my feet like the feet of a deer
and set me secure (AV)on the heights.
35 (AW)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 (AX)You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet[f] 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 (AY)under my feet.
40 For you equipped me with strength for the battle;
you made (AZ)those who rise against me sink under me.
41 You (BA)made my enemies turn their backs to me,[g]
those who hated me, and I destroyed them.
42 They looked, but there was none to save;
they cried to the Lord, but (BB)he did not answer them.
43 I beat them fine (BC)as the dust of the earth;
I crushed them and stamped them down (BD)like the mire of the streets.
44 “You delivered me from strife with my people;[h]
you kept me as the head of (BE)the nations;
(BF)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[i] (BG)out of their fortresses.
47 “The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
and exalted be (BH)my God, (BI)the rock of my salvation,
48 the God who gave me vengeance
and (BJ)brought down peoples under me,
49 who brought me out from my enemies;
you exalted me above (BK)those who rose against me;
you delivered me from (BL)men of violence.
50 (BM)“For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing praises to your name.
51 (BN)Great salvation he brings[j] to his king,
and shows steadfast love to (BO)his anointed,
to David and his offspring (BP)forever.”
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 22:3 Septuagint (compare Psalm 18:2); Hebrew lacks my
- 2 Samuel 22:5 Or terrified me
- 2 Samuel 22:9 Or in his wrath
- 2 Samuel 22:33 Or his; also verse 34
- 2 Samuel 22:33 Compare Psalm 18:32; Hebrew he has blamelessly set my way free, or he has made my way spring up blamelessly
- 2 Samuel 22:37 Hebrew ankles
- 2 Samuel 22:41 Or You gave me my enemies' necks
- 2 Samuel 22:44 Septuagint with the peoples
- 2 Samuel 22:46 Compare Psalm 18:45; Hebrew equipped themselves
- 2 Samuel 22:51 Or He is a tower of salvation
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.