By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, Office for Global Engagement, University of Mobile
THANKFUL
2 Samuel 22:26–36, 50–51
This week we find ourselves with an interesting passage. We’ll look at the content of David’s psalm in the lesson, but first let’s take a look at the song’s context.
According to 2 Samuel 22:1, David expressed this song of rescue when the Lord delivered him from his enemies, including Saul (Ps. 18). This chapter may be out of historical sequence within 2 Samuel, but it carries the weight of repetition in two sections of the Hebrew Bible, the Prophets and the Writings.
In this personal, intimate testimony of gratitude for God’s protection and provision, David freely uses personal pronouns: I, me and my. David refers to Yahweh in the early verses of this song as “my rock,” “my fortress,” “my deliverer,” “my God,” “my shield,” “my stronghold,” “my refuge” and “my Savior.” The real focus of this psalm is not David or his occasion for writing the lyrics. Instead, the subject of the song and the object of his worship is God Himself.
Holy (26–29)
God is holy (Lev. 11:44–45). The angelic hosts declare His holiness (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8). In this passage David utilized synonyms of holiness as attributes of God: faithful, blameless, pure and perfect.
God is set apart from His creation in that He is always faithful. God is the measure of righteousness and is thus without blame. God is pure in perpetuity; that is, He is and will always be pure. God is perfect, lacking nothing.
We might also consider Paul’s exhortation to believers in Philippi: “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true … honorable … just … pure … lovely … commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things” (Phil. 4:8). Whatever commendable things are worthy of our attention, they are but dim reflections of the brightness of God’s glory.
Shield (30–36)
These verses are full of martial imagery: barricades, walls, refuge, rock, heights, war, bow and shield. Through much of his life, David faced war. He protected his flocks from wild animals. He confronted a seasoned warrior, a blasphemous giant whose arrogant pronouncements became silent with a single stone. David survived attacks from friends and family members.
Through it all, he found solace and strength in Yahweh. His shield was the Lord’s deliverance, His salvation.
As I write this lesson, my heart breaks for Christians suffering in Nicaragua. People are taking paving stones off the roads to build barricades and block trucks from delivering food and medical supplies. Armed thugs are desecrating churches and killing those seeking refuge inside.
How can Christians remain thankful in such circumstances? Paul’s words are instructive both for them and for us: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).
Eternal (50–51)
The intervening verses speak of God’s faithfulness, David’s deliverance and nations bowing before him. David kept all of this in eternal perspective. This occurred for the glory of God. Even David’s status among the nations was for the purpose of praise. Notice 2 Samuel 22:50 — “I will give thanks to you among the nations.”
God’s eternal plan has been to redeem people to Himself from every tribe, tongue and nation. Jesus, the son of David, redeemed us through His blood.
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