READ: 2 Sam. 22:1-29: … The LORD is my rock and my fortress …
As the anointed of the LORD, David faced many enemies: Saul, the Philistines, other nations, and even his own sons. The LORD severely tested him but also repeatedly delivered him.
Now, David reflects on his life and sings a song of thanksgiving to the LORD. Its content is identical to Ps. 18. David does not boast of himself but gives all glory to God. He thanks Him especially as his Redeemer. This song begins and ends with that theme.
Verse 2: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, 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 saved me from violence.”
We often feel it is enough to thank God with a single word, but David seems to run out of words to describe the faithfulness, love, and care of his heavenly Father.
David concretely recounts the LORD’s saving acts. He recalls how death encompassed him, torrents of destruction terrified him, cords of the grave surrounded him, and snares of death threatened him (vv.5-6). In all his anguish, David cried out to the LORD for help.
David is not the only anointed one who faced the agony of death. The apostle Paul also extensively describes his struggles and hardships in 1 Cor. 2:8: “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death.”
Paul then points out the purpose of such trials: “That we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
Thus, God tests His people to see whether they will turn only to Him in their distress and continue to depend on Him in the future. David also confesses that God is not arbitrary: He is merciful to the faithful but punishes the proud (v.28).
Do we adequately acknowledge God’s preservation?
Sing: Ps. 18:1,6