Context No. 4174 of 4322 · 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 22:17-32: in context

17He sent from on high and he took me. He drew me out of many waters. 18He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. 19They came on me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. 20He also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me. 21The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands. 22For I have kept the LORD’s ways, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 23For all his ordinances were before me. As for his statutes, I didn’t depart from them. 24I was also perfect toward him. I kept myself from my iniquity. 25Therefore the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in his eyesight. 26With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect. 27With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd. 28You will save the afflicted people, but your eyes are on the arrogant, that you may bring them down. 29For you are my lamp, LORD. The LORD will light up my darkness. 30For by you, I run against a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall. 31As for God, his way is perfect. The LORD’s word is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him. 32For who is God, besides the LORD? Who is a rock, besides our God?

In David's great song of deliverance, he piles up images for the God who rescued him. God reached down from on high and drew him out of many waters; he delivered him from an enemy too strong for him; he brought him into a broad place. And then a beautiful line about God in the dark places: you are my lamp, O LORD, and my God lightens my darkness.

Two things stand out. God as rescuer. When David was overwhelmed, sinking in deep waters, facing an enemy stronger than himself, God reached down and drew him out. And God as light in the darkness. David calls God his lamp, the one who lightens his darkness. When David was in dark places, confused, endangered, unable to see the way, God was his light, illuminating the path, dispelling the gloom. When we are overwhelmed, sinking, facing what is too strong for us, God is able to reach down and draw us out. And when we are in darkness, unable to see the way ahead, God is our lamp. His way is perfect, David adds, and he is a shield to all who take refuge in him.

When I am overwhelmed or walking in darkness, do I look to God, who reaches down to draw his people out of deep waters and who is a lamp lightening the darkness, taking refuge in the God whose way is perfect and who shields all who trust him?

Sources

2 Samuel 22:29: "For you are my lamp, LORD. The LORD will light up my darkness."
2 Samuel 22:17: "He sent from on high and he took me. He drew me out of many waters."
2 Samuel 22:31: "As for God, his way is perfect... He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him."