40. For thou hast girded me with strength to battle; them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
41. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42. They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.
43. Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth; I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44. Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
45. Strangers shall submit themselves unto me; as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46. Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
47. The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
48. It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
49. And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies; thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me; thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
50. Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
51. He is the tower of salvation for his king; and showeth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed forevermore.
Golden Text: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer.” 2 Sam. 22:2.
Note.—Read chapter 22 and compare Psalm 18. It would seem from the reading that this was composed before David’s great sin, but after his victory over Saul and his establishment in the kingdom. The last production of David is found in the first seven verses of the following chapter. The import and object of this lesson we will fail to get unless we ever bear in mind, in our study of it, that David was a type of Christ, and his kingdom of Christ’s kingdom, especially in the subduing of his enemies. His wars were just wars, undertaken by the direction of the Lord against the Lord’s enemies and for the Lord’s glory. God does not record these things that we may exult in David’s victories over earthly foes, but that we may rejoice in the victory of Christ for us and in us over all sin and spiritual foes; for all this the lesson predicts.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) To what did David attribute his success in battle? First clause verse 40. (2) How fully had the Lord wrought for him? Last clause verse 40 and verse 41. Note 1. (3) With what disappointment did his enemies meet? Verse 42. Note 2. (4) Of what is this a type? Note 3. (5) What was their final end? Verse 43. Note 3. (6) From what other danger did David acknowledge deliverance? First clause verse 44. (7) How else does David show the futility of the attacks of other nations? Last clause verse 44. Note 4. (8) What would show the wide fame which the kingdom of David had attained? Verses 45, 46. Note 5. (9) In view of the success of God’s work, what conclusion does David reach? First clause verse 47. (10) What high praise does he express? Last clause verse 47. (11) What does David say God had done for him? Verses 48, 49. (12) In consequence of this what does David declare? Verse 50. (13) What assurance might the king of Israel always have? Verse 51.
NOTES.
1. Them that rose up against me, etc.—The ultimate triumph of God’s cause is here exemplified,—the working together of all things for good. David’s kingdom had not only been able to resist the attacks of its enemies, but it had subdued them and grown stronger thereby. The conflicts served as stepping-stones to its greatness. David’s wars had been wars of defense, but the defeats of the attacking nations increased the jurisdiction of Israel’s sovereign, and gave to his kingdom a strength which it otherwise would not have had. It is just so in the Christian warfare. The sinews of character are developed by resistance to that which would seek to overcome it. But, as in David’s case, the Lord must give the strength.
2. But he answered them not.—Here is shown the futility of seeking aid from a just God for an unjust cause. It is incompatible with God’s character that he should answer those whose course is in direct opposition to his express commands. David had been anointed king of Israel by order of the King of heaven; and he who alone had authority to enthrone the king gave no order nullifying his kingship. Until such order came, the decree held. So with the announcement of the law of that King, written and graven in stone. Until the order comes to revoke the law, it holds, and holds in its entirety. These words are also typical of the reign of Christ. The Lord called all the nations that fought against David to his service, but they would not yield to his mild reign. When at the last they seek him in selfish fear, he will not hear. So it will be with the wicked in the last day. Now when God calls, they will not hear. Then when they call selfishly for their own salvation from the result of their own sins, while cherishing the sin, God can not hear. See Prov. 1:23-31.
3. Verse 43 points forward to the final destruction of the wicked by Christ, “great David’s greater Son.” See Ps. 2:8-12; Dan. 2:44; and many other scriptures. Sin must be destroyed, but God longs with infinite longing to save men; but he can only do this by separation from sin, according to man’s choice. But when men choose sin instead of God, they must eventually be destroyed with the sin with which they have identified themselves.
4. A people which I knew not shall serve me.—Nations which were personally unknown to David were to be brought under his control by their attempts to overcome him. So also many peoples besides Jews have yielded and will yield themselves to Christ.
5. As soon as they hear, they shall be obedient.—The fame of Israel was widespread, and strange people hastened to yield themselves to its sovereignty. Some “yield feigned obedience,” through fear. See margin. So it will be when Christ comes. See Matt. 7:21-23; Phil. 2:10, 11.
