2 Samuel 22:1-51

Memory Verse: 20:19

Introduction

Questions

Outline

I. The Lord is My Salvation (1-3)

>1. When did David sing this?

* 2 Samuel 22:1 "David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul."

* "David sang to the Lord" -David, the second king of the Lord did not think it below him to sing to the Lord his God. Singing to the Lord is a good thing.

* "the words of this song" -David is considered to wrote the song to.

* "when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies" -Many people were against David. Many tried to harm him and kill him. David could have grown pessimistic and full of self pity. The lyrics to this song and the psalms he shows how a mature man of God can approach the difficulties in life.

* 1 Peter 4:12-13 "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

* Colossians 1:24 "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church."

* Psalm 18 is similar.

>How was Saul not his enemy?

* "and from the hand of Saul" -David did not put Saul into his list of enemies.

* David was not hostile with Saul. If Saul were his enemy the two would have fought each other in battle. However, David eluded Saul. Saul wanted David dead. When his plans to have David die in battle failed, Saul took the killing into his own hands. However, he was never able to kill him. In spit of this David never considered Saul his enemy.

>Who is the subject of the song?

* "to the Lord" -David did not concentrate on his life high points or low points. He did not praise his wives or children. The subject of his song was the Lord, his God.

* The world sings about anything except the glory, grace, and truth of Jesus. Only the children of the kingdom of God sing about the King of kings.

>2. Who was the Lord to David as described in verses 2 and 3?

* 2 Samuel 22:2-3 "He said: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is the horn of my salvation, my refuge and my savior-- from violent men you save me."

* David claimed the Lord was his:
    1) rock -strength, reliability, faithfulness and unchangeable.
    2) fortress -place of trust, comfort and protection
    3) deliverer -rescued, freed, at liberty, unrestricted
    4) God -not a vague God, put personal
    5) refuge -the law set up cities of protection for the innocent
    6) shield -stops that which hurts and kills
    7) horn of salvation -an animals strength, power, and aggression
    8) savior

* The verbs are present and future tense.

>How is Jesus all these? (1 Peter 2:4; Matt. 7:24; and 2 Sam. 5:6-7; Acts 2:38-39; and 1 Cor. 15:22)

* 1 Peter 2:4 "As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him"

* Matthew 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

* 2 Samuel 5:6-7 "The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." They thought, "David cannot get in here." Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David."

* Acts 2:38-39 "Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

* 1 Corinthians 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."

* Mark 14:61b-62 "Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

* Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

* John 20:28-29 "Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

>Is your relationship to the Lord Jesus as personal as it was to David?

* I have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, becoming like him in his death.

II. I Called to the Lord (4-7)

>3. Note the nouns and verbs in verses 5 and 6?

* 2 Samuel 22:5-6 "The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me."

* "cords" -could be considered breakers, as in waves crashing down just before the shore. This also fits in with verse 17 "deep waters".

* These are metaphors; active nown phrases of mortal dangers. Death, destruction, and the grave are personified as the overwhelming violent heartless sea, nature's relentless violence.

* David portrays real physical enemies and real physical deliverance.

* How many times in your life have you felt like David describes hin these verses? The threat was real to you, though other may not notice or acknowledge it. Perhaps you feel that way now.

>What did he do in such peril? (4, 7)

* 2 Samuel 22:4 "I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."

* 2 Samuel 22:7 "In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears."

* "distress" -David did not always experience the emotions that everyone wants to stay in. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b)

* "call of the Lord" -Prayer is communication with God. Communication is two way. We can initiate the communication by praying. We should not say, "If all else fails call on the Lord." Rather we should say, "Call on the Lord for all else fails."

* "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:12-14)

>How did the Lord respond?

* "From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears" -The temple had not been built in Jerusalem until after David died. David was speaking of the Lord's temple in heaven. Since the Spirit dwells in our hearts we are his temple.

* "I am saved from my enemies" -The Lord rescues us from our enemies. Jesus said that all his followers would be persecuted and hated; some to the point of physical harm and death. Call to the Lord and he will rescue.

* When all kinds of personal and physical calamities came on Job he wanted to talk directly to God. He did after some time. We don't have to wait. Jesus said, "I am with you always to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:20)

>What can we learn? (Matt. 28:20)

* Matthew 28:18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

* Some today talk as if prayer has some magical power. They personify prayer. Pray is nothing. God is everything. Prayer is not an item, object, or power. Prayer is an action. "Pray continually." (1 Thes. 5:17) Get to action you sluggard. Proverbs 6:6-11 states, "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man."

III. The Lord Thundered From Heaven (8-16)

>4. Why did everything shake? (8-9)

* 2 Samuel 22:8-9 "The earth trembled and quaked, the foundations of the heavens shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it."

* "because he was angry" -Anger is not a "bad" emotion if it is directed at the right thing.

* "Smoke rose from his nostrils" -The awesome beast, the leviathan. (Job 41:19-21)

* "consuming fire came from his mouth" -The awesome beast, the leviathan. (Job 41:19-21)

* The leviathan is considered the most fierce animal the Lord created. Some dinosaur fossals have naval cavities that contained gasses. When joined together they would act like flame throwers. Even today some insects have this ability.

>What angers the Lord? (Num. 14:17-18, 32:13; Matt. 17:17; Mark 3:4-5)

* Numbers 14:17-18 "Now may the Lord's strength be displayed, just as you have declared: 'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.'"

* Numbers 32:13 "The LORD's anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the desert forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone."

* Matthew 17:17 "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."

* Mark 3:4-5 "Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored."

* God does not like sin and God is angry when his people are under thread of their enemies.

>5. What was the scene as the Lord came down? (10-12)

* 2 Samuel 22:10-12 "He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his canopy around him-- the dark rain clouds of the sky."

* "the heavens" -The Bible speaks of three heavens; the atmosphere, the place where the planets are starts are, and the place where God dwells.

* "He parted" -As if we would open a door. Jesus second coming is described like the opening of the door of heaven.

* Exodus 15:1-18 records Moses similar song.

* "came down" -When the Lord God came down Mount Sinai the event is described like this. Exodus 19:18-19 states, "Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him."

>How is the Lord's presence described? (13)

* 2 Samuel 22:13 "Out of the brightness of his presence bolts of lightning blazed forth."

* "brightness of his presence" -I am enthralled about Jesus (Y'shua in Hebrew) in his glorious resurrection body. He said to his disciples on the Mt. of Olives just after he predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, "They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky." (Matthew 24)

In his reply to the chief priest during his trial, he said the same thing. "The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.' 'Yes, it is as you say,' Jesus replied. 'But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'" (Matthew 26:63-64)

"Coming on the clouds of heaven" is an interesting term. This is the "shekinah" glory of God. Jesus said he will be coming in glory to judge people's souls and to save his people. The clouds of heaven is the bright shining glory of the Lord. Glory is "kabad' in Hebrew meaning a bright sinning cloud surrounding the Lord God. The Old Testament refers to this many times.

The glory of the Lord came on Mt. Sinai just after the Lord led the Israelis out of Egypt (Ex. 16:7-10, 24:16-17). The glory was in desert Tabernacle (Ex. 40:34-38; Lev. 9:6, 23; Num. 14:10), and in the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Ki. 8:10-11; and 2 Ch. 5:14, 7:1-3, Isa. 6:1-4).

Jesus' (Y'shua's) coming in the glory of the Lord is prophesied by Isaiah (Is. 4:2-6; 35:1-2; 40:4-5; 59:19-20; 60). Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord. (Ez. 1:25-28; 3:12, 22-23; 9:3-4; 10:3-4, 18-22; 11:22-23; 43:1-5; 44:4).

The glory of the Lord is also in the New Testament. Luke 2:9 says the glory of the Lord shown over the shepherds when they angles said J_sus was born.

Apostle Paul calls Jesus the "Lord of glory" in 1 Cor. 2:8 and the "radiance of God's glory" in Hebrews 1:3.

Jesus revealed his past glory and future glory while on the mount of transfiguration. (Matt. 17:1-17) John, James and Peter were there are saw it. John the Apostle later stated at the beginning of his gospel, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

John as an old man saw Jesus in the glorious resurrected body and recorded it in Revelation 1:7-18 and 4:1-11.

>How is the Lord's voice described? (14-16)

* 2 Samuel 22:14-16 "The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot arrows and scattered [the enemies], bolts of lightning and routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils."

* "The LORD thundered from heaven" -The Lord's voice isn't always described as like thunder. He also speaks in a whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-13 says, "The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"

* The Lord thundered because David called to him for help. When his people call to him for help he answers, he comes to them. During the second half of the seven years of tribulation written about by the apostle John, Israel will be surrounded. Then they will repent and call to the Lord Jesus and he will come to them just as David is here predicting.

* Jeremiah 29:10-14 "This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

>How does this compare to Jesus' second coming? (Matt. 24:29-31; Rev. 1:10-16, 19:11-16, 21)

* Matthew 24:29-31 "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."

* Revelation 1:10-16 "On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, and among the lamp stands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."

* Revelation 19:11-16 "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

* Revelation 19:21 "The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh."

IV. I Have Kept Myself From Sin (17-30)

>6. What did the Lord do for him? (17-20)

* 2 Samuel 22:17-20 "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."

* "out of deep waters" -We can imagine David drowning is violent waters and breakers, being tossed under the water, desperately swimming to the service, gasping for breath, only to be tossed down again. Suddenly the hand of the Lord reaches out and plucks him out of the water. Now I am reminded of Peter. "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down." (Matthew 14:28-32)

* "too strong for me" -All of Jesus' followers will come across foes that are to strong for us not because our Lord is unable to protect us, but because he wants us to learn and practice faith in him.

* "They confronted me in the day of my disaster" -Our foes love to kick us when we are down.

* "he rescued me because he delighted in me" -The Lord does not delight in David because he was perfect for he was far from it. The Lord delights in those whose faith and love causes them to obey him with a single hearted devotion. Obey the Lord and he will rescue us from our foes.

>Who is our enemy? (Eph. 6:10-12)

* Ephesians 6:10-12 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

* Satan and his demonic followers is are enemy. Also, sin and death are our enemies. The devil has not power over us, yet he has schemes that are intended to separate us from God and his will for our lives. "The rulers, authorities, powers, and spiritual forces of evil work amongst the rulers of nations as the book of Daniels states.

>How does this remind of the Lord's Prayer? (Matt. 6:13; and 2 Cor. 1:8-11)

* Matthew 6:13 "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

* 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."

* Jesus said that we should pray to be delivered from the evil one. Satan has been around a lot longer than us; even witnessing Jesus create. Thus he is wiser and more powerful that we are. We cannot overcome his schemes on our own. Thus Jesus told us to pray to be delivered. Paul prayed for deliverance. David prayed to be delivered from his enemies too.

>7. How does the Lord deal with the righteous? (21; James 5:13-16)

* 2 Samuel 22:21 "The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me."

* James 5:13-16 "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

* "He has rewarded me" -David is not talking about salvation for elsewhere he said, "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him." (Ps. 32:2) Rather, David did not lift his hand against Saul, not even to protect himself. So the Lord rewarded him for doing what is right and not doing what is wrong. Jesus taught that we will be rewarded for acts of faith, hope and love. He has prepared good acts for us. However, if we do not do them, Jesus taught that the reward we would have received will be given to someone else.

* Each actions should be considered with the thought that Jesus is reviewing and will review our actions at the Bema seat. I wrote of this in The Believer's Future - Hope that Inspires.

>What is evil? (22-24; John 15:9-10)

* 2 Samuel 22:22-24 "For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin."

* John 15:9-10 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love."

* "turning from God" -Evil is turning from God. Image standing face-to-face with someone and then turning away from them and walking away. Sin is doing just that. Adam and Eve did evil when the ate the from forbidden tree because they believed the devil's lies. The devil implied that the Lord did not love them and was keeping them from their full potential. By sinning they rejected the love of the Lord. This is the nature of sin.

* "All his laws are before me" -David was not ignorant. He studied the word of God, God's laws. In fact, one of the requirements for the kings of Israel was, The Lord required of the king of Israel, "When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel." (Deut. 17:18-20)

* "kept myself from sin" -David wrote this before his sin with Uriah's wife. The Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of the Lord." (Rom. 3:23)

>When and why will the Lord reward us? (25; Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12-13)

* 2 Samuel 22:25 "The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight."

* Matthew 16:27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done."

* Revelation 22:12-13 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

* God has decreed that Jesus will conduct three kinds of judgment; one each for Jesus' bride, the unrighteous, and the nations. (John 5:22) These judgments will not happen at the same time or with the same result.

First, as already mentioned, Jesus' bride will be judged at the mercy (Bema) seat, but not in the sense that we will be condemned. Instead Jesus will hand out rewards to those who believed in him. The saved believer's acts committed in this life will be reviewed at the judgment seat of Jesus at the beginning of the Millennium. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10) As stated many times, people are forgiven of sin and saved from death by faith in the blood, death, and resurrection of Jesus. (Eph. 2:9, Tim. 3:5) They are Jesus' bride and will stand before him to give an account of their life works at the beginning of the Millennium. (1 Cor. 3:11-15)

Second, there is a judgment of the nations. This is when Jesus comes when the seventh trumpet is sounded. Matthew 25:31-34 records Jesus saying, When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. Matthew 25:41 continues, Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. This is also in Isaiah 24.

Third, those who are not Jesus' bride will be judged and condemned. (Pro. 1:20-31) Jesus will be the judge and he will know what is truly in their hearts. (Rom. 2:16) If they did not accept Jesus as their King and Bridegroom, that is accept him into their hearts, then they will be condemned. (Mark 3:28-29) This judgment is after the Millennium and after Satan is released and deceives the nations for a short time. This judgment will not be conducted on the earth. (Revelation 20:11-15)

* The above is taken from The Believer's Future - Hope That Inspires.

>8. How does the Lord show himself? (26-27)

* 2 Samuel 22:26-27 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd."

* Those is Jesus are described as faithful, blameless, and pure. This is only possible through the pure blood of Jesus.

* "shrewd" -Clever and crafty and yet without sin. The Lord dealings with Jacob is described this way in Genesis 29 and with Balaam in Numbers 22:20.

>How is his treatment different to the humble and haughty? (28)

* 2 Samuel 22:28 "You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low."

* The Lord responds to man in kind. (Job 34:11; Prov. 3:24) Thus, David followed the Lord's ways. This is the fruit of the fear of the Lord.

>9. What would it be like fighting a battle in total darkness and how does the Lord change that? (29-30)

* 2 Samuel 22:29-30 "You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall."

* "darkness into light" -Light always dispels darkness. Darkness never overcomes light. Light exposes hidden things as the word of the Lord exposes our inner sinful desires. Hebrews 4:12-13 states, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

* "With your help I can" -Only with the Lord's help can we find victory. Any victory that is achieved is because the Lord fights for us. "Not by might nor by power; but by my Spirit" says the Lord. (Zech. 4:6)

* In my life I have experienced total darkness. While on guided tours of caves the guide turned off the lights. It was then that I realized just what total darkness is; never experienced outside the cave. A life in sin without the Lord Jesus is like that.

>How does this refer to Jesus? (Matt. 4:16-17; John 8:12)

* Matthew 4:16-17 "the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

* John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

>How can we be like him? (Matt. 5:14-16)

* Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

* Jesus calls us to follow him. He says, "I am the way, the truth and the life." By following Jesus' way we are being a light in the world as he was. Jesus told his disciples, "Follow me." He calls us to the same.

V. Praise Be to the Rock! My Savior! (31-51)

>10. How is God described? (31-32; John 1:1-2, 14; and 1 Cor. 10:4)

* 2 Samuel 22:31-32 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?"

* John 1:1-2 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."

* John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

* 1 Corinthians 10:4 "and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ."

* Jesus is the Rock, the Lord Creator God. He lives from eternity to eternity; having no end.

>Who did David acknowledge gave him fighting skills? (33-37)

* 2 Samuel 22:33-37 "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn."

* Any good that anyone does is only done because God enabled them and made a way for the good to be done. No one can boast for God is the source of all good. Anyone who says, "I don't this or that good, denies the hand of God." Anyone who says, "Unbelievers do good too," is claiming that the good they themselves do is their own and denies God. Jesus said to a rich young man who came to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good, but God alone," because he did not understand the truth about good. Sorry to say that to many people who call themselves followers of Jesus have the attitude of the rich young man.

>What can we learn? (Matt. 10:32; and 1 John 4:3)

* Matthew 10:32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven."

* 1 John 4:3 "but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world."

* In everything we must acknowledge God. I should never take any credit for any good that I do. To God be all the glory. The twenty-four elders laid down their crowns to Jesus because they knew that he deserves all the glory. (Rev. 4;10)

>11. Who made victory possible? (38-46)

* 2 Samuel 22:38-46 "I pursued my enemies and crushed them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. They cried for help, but there was no one to save them-- to the LORD, but he did not answer. I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets. You have delivered me from the attacks of my people; you have preserved me as the head of nations. People I did not know are subject to me, and foreigners come cringing to me; as soon as they hear me, they obey me. They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds."

* These verses are not about David, they are about Jesus, the Messiah.

>How does David praise the Lord, his Rock? (47-51)

* 2 Samuel 22:47-51 "The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever."

* "He is God" -Jesus is LORD. Therefore, Jesus is God in David's own word. Jesus taught, "How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."' David calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" (Luke 20:41-44)

>How can we follow his example? (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8)

* Mark 16:15 "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

* Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

* We should also praise the Lord Jesus is spirit and truth and in songs, hymns, and spiritual songs.