Overview: (NET)
In this long song of thanks, David affirms that God is his faithful protector. He recalls in highly poetic fashion how God intervened in awesome power and delivered him from death. His experience demonstrates that God vindicates those who are blameless and remain loyal to him. True to his promises, God gives the king victory on the battlefield and enables him to subdue nations. A parallel version of the song appears in Ps 18.
Structure: (EBC)
A. Introductory words of praise (22:2–4)
B. Reasons for praise (22:5–46)
1. David’s deliverance from his enemies (22:5–20)
a. Though death threatened, the Lord heard me (22:5–7).
b. Great is the Lord of heaven and earth (22:8–16).
c. Though great in heaven, he saved me on earth (22:17–20).
2. The basis of God’s saving deliverance (22:21–30)
a. The Lord saves those who are righteous (22:21–25).
b. The Lord’s justice is evident in his actions (22:26–30).
3. The outworking of God’s saving deliverance (22:31–46)
a. The Lord, whose way is perfect, makes my way perfect (22:31–37).
b. I gained the victory over my enemies (22:38–43).
c. The Lord enabled me to gain the victory (22:44–46).
C. Concluding words of praise (22:47–51)
v.1-20
(1) David described God's rescue in 2 sections: 1st He came down from heaven and helped David directly v.8-20, and 2nd He enabled David and made him capable to fight v.31-46,
Example of part 1
22:17 He reached down from above and grabbed me;
he pulled me from the surging water.
Example of part 2
22:40 You give me strength for battle;
you make my foes kneel before me.
We may not visually see part 1 today, but we know that God is sovereign and everything is under His control. He intervenes in every aspect of our lives. Do you want to share with us some of these experiences?
For part 2, we need to start working in order to see how He enables us to work. What I mean in particular is serving in the church. Some people said they do not know what gifts they have. You will not know until you start to serve. You need to be creative during the pandemic of how to serve God. With the serving heart you will find ways to serve.
(2) There is a relationship of how David called to God and the beginning of God's help.
22:7 In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called to my God.
From his heavenly temple he heard my voice;
he listened to my cry for help.
22:8 The earth heaved and shook;
the foundations of the sky trembled.
They heaved because he was angry.
Heaven and earth may be shaken just because we call to the LORD for help. He listened and He was emotionally involved when He hears us. Can you imagine what kind of power we "have" when we pray to God? Also, can you imagine how much He loves His people?
(3) Following v.8, there are 3 more verses talking about His anger or His battle cry.
22:9a Smoke ascended from his nose
(NET) Or “in his anger.” The noun [nose] can carry the abstract meaning “anger,”
v.14b the sovereign One shouted loudly
(NET) “the Most High.” This divine title... pictures God as the exalted ruler of the universe who vindicates the innocent and judges the wicked...Thunder is a common motif in Old Testament theophany and in ancient Near Eastern portrayals of the storm god and warring kings.
v.16b by the LORD’s battle cry,
by the powerful breath from his nose
(NET) the warrior’s battle cry, which terrifies and paralyzes the enemy.
God sees the battle between David and his enemies as His battle. He was the leader of this battle. Let us also trust God as the leader of our battles whatever your battlefields are.
v.31-37
Ob and In:
Repeated phrases:
1. God acts in a faithful manner, His promise is reliable v.31
(NET) The LORD’s “word” probably refers here to his oracle(s) of victory delivered to the psalmist before the battle(s) described in the following context. See also Pss 12:5–7 and 138:2–3. David frequently received such oracles before going into battle (see 1 Sam 23:2, 4–5, 10–12; 30:8; 2 Sam 5:19). The LORD’s word of promise is absolutely reliable; it is compared to metal that has been refined in fire and cleansed of impurities.
2. God gives David the agility of a deer, enables him to negotiate the rugged terrain v.34; God trains David's hands for battle, his arms can bend even the strongest bow v.35
(NET) The psalmist compares his agility in battle to the ability of a deer to negotiate rugged, high terrain without falling or being injured.
(NET) The psalmist attributes his skill with weapons to divine enabling.
3. God's help to David was not limited to enable him the ability to victory, but also in His willingness to do so.
v.36b your willingness to help enables me to prevail.
Reflection: God's promise to David and His protection to him include His enabling and training for David himself to fight. He equips David and David was the one to fight. Do I equip brothers and sisters to fight? When I do that I ask God to equip me.
v.47-51
Ob and In:
1. Two pronouns were employed: He and You to show a AB B'A' structure.
a. In v.47-49a the author used "He" and seems like he wanted to introduce to other people why God is so worthy to be praised v.47. It was because what He has done to him.
v.47 The LORD is alive
alive (NET) the LORD’s active presence and intervention. In contrast to pagan deities, he demonstrates that he is the living God by rescuing and empowering the psalmist.
b. Then in v.49b-50 the author changed the pronoun to "You," and addressed to God directly. Now, the order is reversed. First he stated what "You" have done to him, and then he gave "You" thanks and praises before the nations.
v.50 So I will give you thanks, O LORD, before the nations! I will sing praises to you
before the nations (NET) This probably alludes to the fact that David will praise the LORD in the presence of the defeated nations when they, as his subjects, bring their tribute payments. Ideally God’s chosen king was to testify to the nations of God’s greatness.
to you (NET) “to your name.” God’s “name” refers metonymically to his divine characteristics as suggested by his name, in this case “LORD,” the primary name of Israel’s covenant God which suggests his active presence with his people (see Exod 3:12–15).
c. v.51 he is faithful to his chosen ruler
In the summary, the author changed back to "He" again
faithful (NET) God’s covenant with David guarantees that the “kindness” here affirmed (ḥeseḏ), the unfailing “love” that is given freely and knows no bounds (cf. Ps 89:28, 33), would continue to bring untold blessing to the Davidic line for all future generations (see 7:15 and comment; cf. also 7:13, 16, 25; 23:5; Ps 89:4, 29, 36).
Summary and Reflection: Who God is (alive) makes possible for what He can do (power to rescue). Not only His power is emphasized, but His loving kindness. Who God is (loving kindness) also guarantees what He will continue to do so in the future generations of David. Not only this relationship was personal in David's life. He testified in front of others and brought praises to God.
Do I understand Who God is and what He can do? Do I trust not only His power, but also His guarantee loving kindness?
Do I bring my personal relationship with God in public to testify His power and loving kindness? Do I praise God in public?
2. A reciprocal relationship
v.47b The God who delivers me is exalted as king!
v.49b you snatch me away from those who attack me;
snatch me away (NET) it could mean “exalt; elevate” here, indicating that the LORD has given him victory over his enemies and forced them to acknowledge the psalmist’s superiority.
(EBC) The God who is himself “exalted” (v.47; cf. Davidic Pss 21:13; 57:5, 11; cf. also Ps 46:10) has “exalted” his servant David (v.49; cf. Davidic Pss 9:13 [“lift … up”]; 27:5 [“set … high”]; Hos 11:7)
Reflection: My relationship with God is not one-way. God will exalt me, too.
Audrey
2024
v.1-20
B:
1. see structure of this psalm above
2. v.2-3 "The LORD is my high ridge, (NET) This metaphor pictures God as a rocky, relatively inaccessible summit, where one would be able to find protection from enemies. See 1 Sam 23:25, 28.
my stronghold, (NET) David often found safety in such strongholds. See 1 Sam 22:4–5; 24:22; 2 Sam 5:9, 17非利士人聽見人膏大衛作以色列王，非利士眾人就上來尋索大衛。大衛聽見，就下到保障。(EBC) “Stronghold/fortress” (miśgāḇ), a secure, lofty retreat that the enemy finds inaccessible.
my deliverer.
3 My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter, (BDB) fig. of God (33 times) as support and defense of his people
my shield, (BDB) as defense of his servants
the horn that saves me, (NET) The horn of the wild ox is frequently a metaphor for military strength; the idiom “exalt the horn” signifies military victory (see 1 Sam 2:10; Pss 89:17, 24; 92:10; Lam 2:17). ...the Lord himself is compared to a horn. He is to the psalmist what the horn is to the ox, a source of defense and victory.
my stronghold, (BDB) fig. of God as refuge
my refuge, my savior.
You save me from violence!
Conclusion: To David, his victory belonged to God. Therefore, when he was done with all the battles he praised God for His rescue v.1. How did God resue him was described in different angels: (1) David was put in an inaccessible summit and protected from his enemies, and that place was secure, God protected him with a good shelter v.2; (2) God was his defense mechanism and violent men could not harm him; (3) This defense mechanism can also be a weapon for victory.
R: How does God put me in a secure place away from the danger and a source of defense to me? There is no condemnation in Christ.
If I believe that I should feel the sense of protected, secure, and being shelter with no harm. Do I?
How does God become a weapon for victory to me? The WOG is the sword of the HS. Do I make good use of it?
v.21-31
B:
1. Repeated word and phrase v.21-25:
repaid, rewarded v.21, rewarded and took notice v.25
21 The LORD repaid me for my godly deeds;
he rewarded my blameless behavior.
25 The LORD rewarded me for my godly deeds;
he took notice of my blameless behavior.
v.21 and 25 are almost identical. God repaid David's good deeds. And the good deeds were a result of his obedience to His commands in v.22-23. Aware of the commands alone was not enough to produce the good deeds, but to obey them and kept oneself from sinning v.24.
2. Repeated phrases v.26-28
You prove to be v.26-27, to one who is...v.26-27
God reacted the same way when he face the certain kind of people. It depends on who you are you will get different treatment from God v.28. He has a purpose to mankind.
Based on v.22-25, David was obedient to God's command and therefore had good deeds God was loyal, trustworthy, reliable and delivered him. And therefore in David's experience God always illuminate his path and help him v.28-29.
His conclusion was in v.31,
The one true God acts in a faithful manner;
the LORD’s promise is reliable;
he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.
faithful 他的道是完全的 (NET) The term הָאֵל (ha’el, “the God”) stands as a nominative (or genitive) absolute in apposition to the resumptive pronominal suffix on “way.”...God’s “way” in this context refers to his protective and salvific acts in fulfillment of his promise
reliable 耶和華的話是煉淨的 (NET) The LORD’s “word” probably refers here to his oracle(s) of victory delivered to the psalmist before the battle(s)...David frequently received such oracles before going into battle (see 1 Sam 23:2, 4–5, 10–12; 30:8; 2 Sam 5:19). The LORD’s word of promise is absolutely reliable; it is compared to metal that has been refined in fire and cleansed of impurities.
R:
David experienced some very unusual deliverance from the LORD. What seemed to be no way, David found a way. God was with him in a big way in multiple battles. From his observations, David found the principles in these sections. The readers would be encouraged to follow his footstep.
What is the legend that I can left to others so that when they see they will like to follow?
v.32-50
B:
1. The psalmist attributes his skill with weapons to divine enabling v.34-35
He gives me the agility of a deer;
he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.
35 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend even the strongest bow
And in v.36 the offense power turned to be the defensive, but in v.37-43 the mode switched back to the offense and now the emphasis is on the total wipe out of his enemies.
37 You widen my path; (NET) This would suggest that God gives him the capacity to run quickly.
my feet do not slip
38...I do not turn back until I wipe them out.
39 I wipe them out and beat them to death;
they cannot get up;
they fall at my feet.
43 I grind them as fine as the dust of the ground;
I crush them and stomp them like clay in the streets.
As a result, David became a leaders among other nations v.44-46
44b you preserve me as a leader of nations;
people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects.
45 Foreigners are powerless before me
46 Foreigners lose their courage
2. The beginning and end of this section v.32-50 was a praise to God. The audience was not stated in v.32-33, but in v.50. David gave thanks and praised God before the nations. Then the praise of 1 true God made much more sense with the audiences in mind.
32 Indeed, who is God besides the LORD?
Who is a protector besides our God?
33 The one true God is my mighty refuge;
he removes the obstacles in my way.
47 The LORD is alive!
My protector is praiseworthy!
50 So I will give you thanks, O LORD, before the nations!
I will sing praises to you.
Q:
1/Compare this poem and Psalm 18. Look for the divisions of thought.
A parallel version of the song appears in Ps 18.
Structure: (EBC)
A. Introductory words of praise (22:2–4)
B. Reasons for praise (22:5–46)
1. David’s deliverance from his enemies (22:5–20)
a. Though death threatened, the Lord heard me (22:5–7).
b. Great is the Lord of heaven and earth (22:8–16).
c. Though great in heaven, he saved me on earth (22:17–20).
2. The basis of God’s saving deliverance (22:21–30)
a. The Lord saves those who are righteous (22:21–25).
b. The Lord’s justice is evident in his actions (22:26–30).
3. The outworking of God’s saving deliverance (22:31–46)
a. The Lord, whose way is perfect, makes my way perfect (22:31–37).
b. I gained the victory over my enemies (22:38–43).
c. The Lord enabled me to gain the victory (22:44–46).
C. Concluding words of praise (22:47–51)
2/What is described in verses 8-16? What are the spheres of God's activity?
Great is the Lord of heaven and earth, even to the bottom of the sea and land (22:8–16)
3/What reasons are given for David's deliverance?
The Lord saves those who are righteous (22:21–25).
The Lord’s justice is evident in his actions (22:26–30).
4/What do verses 26-31 reveal about God's character? How does this affect David?
The Lord’s justice is evident in his actions (22:26–30).
God reacted the same way when he face the certain kind of people. It depends on who you are you will get different treatment from God v.28. He has a purpose to mankind.
Based on v.22-25, David was obedient to God's command and therefore had good deeds God was loyal, trustworthy, reliable and delivered him. And therefore in David's experience God always illuminate his path and help him v.28-29.
5/What has God done for David?
The psalmist attributes his skill with weapons to divine enabling v.34-35
6/In what areas of David's life has God worked on his behalf?
And in v.36 the offense power turned to be the defensive, but in v.37-43 the mode switched back to the offense and now the emphasis is on the total wipe out of his enemies.
As a result, David became a leaders among other nations v.44-46
7/For what does David praise God?
The beginning and end of this section v.32-50 was a praise to God. The audience was not stated in v.32-33, but in v.50. David gave thanks and praised God before the nations. Then the praise of 1 true God made much more sense with the audiences in mind.
8/Can you, from experience, take any of his words for your testimony?
I feel the empowering of God when I served Him. With no children of my own and limited experience with children I cannot be a Sunday school teacher without the help from God.
When I was sick God reminded me to see the doctor and as a result, my infection was clear up.
When I was angry and disappointed myself He taught me to stay away from anger. Over the years of marriage God taught me how to be more obedient.
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