David Praises God For Deliverance

II Samuel 22:1–25
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At various times in the history of Israel they tended to believe that the ark of the covenant or the king of Israel was what would save them from the hand of their enemies. In this passage David expresses how this is not so, but that the Lord is the one who has delivered him (v. 1). In these introductory words of praise he affirms that the Lord is everything to him, that He is all he needs (vv. 2-4). Death is pictured as a hunter setting traps for its victims but David knew who to turn to as he cried out to the Lord (vv. 5-7). God heard the plea of David, whose cry for help reached the ears of the Lord.

The poetic description of God’s self manifestation is related to a storm and earthquake (vv. 8-9). Earth and the heavens tremble when the Lord is angry (Isa. 13:13), at the enemies of His people (I Sam. 14:15). Smoke in the Lord’s nostrils depicts judgment against his enemies (Isa. 65:5) and burning coals represents divine punishment (Ez. 10:2). When the Lord descends from heaven His appearance is awesome (v. 10). His feet are planted on dark clouds which bring violent thunderstorms (vv. 11-12). In the brightness of the Lord’s presence a brilliant light surrounds Him as thunder and lightening routes David’s enemies (vv. 13-16).In personalizing what he just said, David explains how God reached down from heaven to save him on earth (vv. 17-20). He concludes his overall description of deliverance from his enemies by the self-revealing, all powerful God who reached down from heaven and saved him on earth. The Lord now leads to His description of God’s saving deliverance and the righteousness of those who are rescued by God (vv. 21-25).

Application

We live on Jeju Island. Many church people say their parents were Christian so they were saved in their mother’s belly. I praise the Lord that only Jesus Christ can save; not their parents (Jn. 14:6).