2 Samuel 22
by Pastor David Groendyk

This whole chapter is almost identical to Psalm 18. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it does cause us to ask the question: Why bother put this psalm here? Why not just leave it in the Psalms rather than this historical book? Do we really need it twice? As we’ve seen over the last half of 2 Samuel, David has clearly not lived up fully to the hype that surrounded him. His kingship has been filled with sin and setbacks. As we close out David’s tenure as king, we might be tempted to be disappointed in this whole situation for Israel, but these last few chapters remind us that the kingdom of God’s people is in God’s hands. He is still reigning and ruling, even above David and any other human king.

Ralph Davis breaks down this psalm into three sections. Part 1 in verses 2–20 describes the intense praise of God. David strings together name after name after name (vv. 2–3), almost as if he’s trying to find just the right description, piling up praise after praise. Davis references the hymn “Join All the Glorious Names,” which we just sang this past Sunday, to explain David’s writing: “Join all the glorious names of wisdom, love, and power, that ever mortals knew, that angels ever bore; all are too poor to speak his worth, too poor to set my Savior forth.” Have you ever experienced that? Our words sometimes feel so inadequate to describe Christ’s amazing deliverance from death (vv. 4–6). His merciful response to our prayers and impressive power when he comes to deliver are too great (vv. 7–16). The rescue, the relief, and the support we get from the Lord are too wonderful (vv. 17–20). Do you have reason to sing and praise the Lord? Do you sing and praise the Lord? Do you spend time praising him in prayer?

Part 2 in verses 21–31 describes the importance of our own righteousness. Now, don’t think that David is trying to sneak some sort of works-based righteousness into this psalm. This is not a case of David earning his salvation but rather a case of David faithfully keeping the covenant that God graciously bestowed upon him. God does not expect perfection. Of course, with David being the author of these words that might seem obvious. Rather, David is describing the general direction of his life over a long period. David had many godly highs, but he also had many severe, wicked lows. Even in the darkest periods of sin, though, he didn’t ever turn away from God. He repented, forsook his sin, asked for forgiveness, and renewed his commitment to God. We will all experience great victories in the name of the Lord, and we will all experience tragic failures in sin. Just because we sin doesn’t mean we’ve fallen away from God or lost our salvation. What matters is what we do after that sin. Will we shrug it off like it’s no big deal? Will we brazenly continue down that path, presuming upon God’s grace? Or will we grieve and turn away from that sin and turn back to God, renewing our commitment and relying upon his grace?

Part 3 in verses 32–51 describes the invincibility of God’s kingdom. God is the all-powerful one that strengthens our hands for war (vv. 32–43). Even though David uses “I” and “me” quite a bit, he always has in mind God’s strength, not his own. The kingdom of God is great and powerful not because of the people in it, but because of the God over it. God’s kingdom is so powerful and invincible that it even goes international (vv. 44–49). The gospel reaches even those outside of the church who are the fiercest opponents of Christ. And what is it that guarantees the success and invincibility of God’s kingdom? The promises that God made in his own covenant (vv. 50–51). Ultimately, what everything comes back to is that God has given us his word that his grace, his salvation, his gospel, his reign, and his rule will succeed. He’s given us his word that his steadfast love will never leave his people, no matter what we might think when we see our own lives crumbling around us. Do you trust God’s promises even when your own circumstances seem to contradict those promises? How do you need to remember God’s words today?

What a glorious truth that, even through the tumultuous reign of David, there is a sure and steady rock and refuge for Israel. He does not ever abandon his people, nor will he forget the promises that he’s made, nor will he ever be removed from his throne. That’s good news for us today.