(Friday, 10-19-2007) Prayer 15 - David's Praise for Deliverance

2 Samuel 22:1-51

Not all of David’s songs (or psalms) are found in the book of Psalms. One of them is found in this passage. However, there is a great similarity between this passage and Psalm 18.

2 Sam. 22:1 says that these were words directed toward God on the day that David felt secure from all his enemies. It appears that there was not just one precipitating event that produced this psalm of praise, but a series of events, for which David thanked and recognized God as the one who gave him all he needed to face the stresses of life.

The value of passages like this is that they help us understand the heart of thanksgiving and praise.

What Can We Learn?
1. There are numerous terms used in this prayer identifying God’s perceived role in David’s life:
a) Rock
b) Fortress
c) Deliverer
d) Shield
e) Horn of Salvation
f) Stronghold
g) Refuge
h) Lamp
2. It is important to note the sense of helplessness and desperation that David experienced. It is this realization of powerlessness that often moves people to seek and accept God’s help.
3. Some of the beautiful statements of God’s help are found here:
a) Who is God, besides the Lord? And who is a rock, besides our God?
b) He makes my feet like hinds feet, and sets me on my high places.
c) The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be God the rock of my salvation

Questions to Ponder
1. Why do you think that David had this kind of response when he reached a point where he felt secure from his enemies?
2. What terms would you use that would be more modern but equally descriptive of God?
3. Discuss your ideas about the meaning or implications of 2 Sam 22:21 -28.
4. What are the implications of the rhetorical questions asked in 22:32?