2 Samuel 22: David's Song of Praise

David sings to the Lord after God delivers him from all his enemies and from Saul. He calls the Lord his rock, his fortress, his deliverer, his shield, and his lamp. God heard his cry, came to save him, and set him in a large place. David promises to give thanks to the Lord among the nations.

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Read 2 Samuel 22

World English Bible · 51 verses

¹ David spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² and he said: “Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ I call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death caught me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ In my distress, I called on Yahweh. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry came into his ears.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ Smoke went up out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he was seen on the wings of the wind.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² He made darkness a shelter around himself, gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ At the brightness before him, coals of fire were kindled.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ Yahweh thundered from heaven. The Most High uttered his voice.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ He sent out arrows and scattered them, lightning and confused them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by Yahweh’s rebuke, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ He sent from on high and he took me. He drew me out of many waters.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ They came on me in the day of my calamity, but Yahweh was my support.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ He also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ Yahweh rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² For I have kept Yahweh’s ways, and have not wickedly departed from my God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ For all his ordinances were before me. As for his statutes, I didn’t depart from them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ I was also perfect toward him. I kept myself from my iniquity.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in his eyesight.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ You will save the afflicted people, but your eyes are on the arrogant, that you may bring them down.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ For you are my lamp, Yahweh. Yahweh will light up my darkness.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ For by you, I run against a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ As for God, his way is perfect. Yahweh’s word is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² For who is God, besides Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ He makes his feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness has made me great.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ You have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn’t turn again until they were consumed.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ I have consumed them, and struck them through, so that they can’t arise. Yes, they have fallen under my feet.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁰ For you have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴¹ You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴² They looked, but there was no one to save; even to Yahweh, but he didn’t answer them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴³ Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth. I crushed them as the mire of the streets, and spread them abroad.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁴ You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people. You have kept me to be the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁵ The foreigners will submit themselves to me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁶ The foreigners will fade away, and will come trembling out of their close places.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁷ Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁸ even the God who executes vengeance for me, who brings down peoples under me,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁹ who brings me away from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁰ Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations, and will sing praises to your name.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵¹ He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his offspring, forever more.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

2 Samuel 22 · Preschool

God Is My Rock

Name Date

Color the big rock and the lamp! God is strong like a fortress.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect.”

2 Samuel 22:33 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: A fortress is a strong place that keeps people safe. God is strong, and He keeps us safe.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

2 Samuel 22 · Grade 4

Who Is a Rock Besides Our God?

Name Date

Read and Think

This song looks back over David's whole life. He wrote it on the day the Lord delivered him from all his enemies and from Saul. David piles up names for God: rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, horn of salvation, high tower, and savior.

David remembered when the waves of death surrounded him and the cords of Sheol were around him. In his distress he called on Yahweh, and God heard from His temple. The song describes God shaking the earth, riding on a cherub, and thundering from heaven, all to rescue one man. God brought David into a large place because He delighted in him.

David praised God as his lamp who lights up his darkness. He sang that God's way is perfect and His word is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Who is God besides Yahweh? Who is a rock besides our God? David ended with a promise to give thanks among the nations. In the New Testament, Romans 15:9 uses these words to show that the Gentiles would also glorify God for His mercy.

Show What You Know

What names does David give God?
What did David remember?
Why did God bring David into a large place?
Who is God a shield to?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

lampGodrock

David piles up names for God: , fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, horn of salvation, high tower, and savior.
In his distress he called on Yahweh, and heard from His temple.
David praised God as his who lights up his darkness.

Think About It

David used many names to describe God. Which name for God means the most to you right now, and why?
David said God lights up his darkness. When has God helped you in a dark or scary time?

Memory Verse

“For you are my lamp, Yahweh. Yahweh will light up my darkness.”

2 Samuel 22:29 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being my rock. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How does Romans 15:9 in the New Testament use David's promise to praise God among the nations?
Why does David say God shows himself merciful to the merciful?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

2 Samuel 22 · Grade 5

My Rock, My Fortress, My Deliverer

Name Date

Read and Think

Second Samuel 22 is David's song of praise. David sang it on the day Yahweh delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. It opens with a burst of names: Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, the horn of my salvation, my high tower, my refuge, and my savior.

David recalls danger as waves of death, floods of ungodliness, and the snares of death. He called on Yahweh, and his cry entered God's ears. In vivid poetry, the earth shakes, the heavens bow, and the Lord rides on a cherub and flies on the wings of the wind. He drew David out of many waters and brought him into a large place, because he delighted in him. David also speaks of God's fairness: with the merciful God shows himself merciful, and he saves the afflicted while bringing down the arrogant.

The final part of the song praises God for strength and victory. God is David's lamp, his way is perfect, and his word is tested. God made David's feet like hinds' feet and gave him the shield of salvation; his gentleness made David great. The song closes, Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! David promises to give thanks among the nations and celebrates God's loving kindness to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever. In the New Testament, Romans 15:9 says, Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name, applying David's words to God's mercy reaching the Gentiles.

Show What You Know

When did David sing this song?
How does David picture danger?
What does the song say about God's fairness?
What made David great, according to the song?
How does Romans 15:9 use David's words?

Crossword

Across

For you are my ____, Yahweh.
Yahweh is my ____, my fortress, and my deliverer.
As for God, his way is ____.

Down

Yahweh will light up my ____.
He is a ____ to all those who take refuge in him.

Think About It

David says God's gentleness made him great. How have you seen God's gentleness in your own life?
David's song looks back and sees God's hand in every danger. Try listing three ways God has helped you, and turn them into a short song or prayer of thanks.

Memory Verse

“For you are my lamp, Yahweh. Yahweh will light up my darkness.”

2 Samuel 22:29 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being my rock. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can remembering God's past help give us courage now?
What does it mean to take refuge in God?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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‹ All 2 Samuel chapters · All books

2 Samuel 22: David's Song of Praise

Read 2 Samuel 22

Worksheets

God Is My Rock

Prayer

Take It Home

God Is My Lamp

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

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My Rock and Fortress

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

David's Song

Prayer

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A Song to God

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

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The Lord Is My Rock

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

David's Song

Prayer

Take It Home

Who Is a Rock Besides Our God?

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

My Rock, My Fortress, My Deliverer

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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