2 Samuel 22

Rock

Rock — the sure, unmoving foundation of salvation

And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; 2 Samuel 22:2

David calls the LORD (Jehovah) his Rock and Deliverer. Paul and Helaman teach that this Rock is Christ, the sure foundation we build on.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Psalm 18:2 — The same song preserved in the Psalms.
• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 10:4 — That Rock was Christ.
• the same title in Helaman 5:12 — The rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God.

Savior

Saviour — the one who rescues and saves

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3

David names the LORD his Saviour. In Latter-day Saint understanding Jehovah is the premortal Jesus Christ, and Isaiah records Jehovah declaring that beside Him there is no saviour.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• a parallel account in Psalm 18:2 — Parallel wording in the Psalms.
• the same title in Isaiah 43:11 — I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
• quoted by Hebrews 2:13 — "I will put my trust in him" is placed in Christ's mouth; the source is probably this song (Greek version), though Isaiah 8:17 is also proposed.

Horn of Salvation

Horn of salvation — a horn is a symbol of strength and power; the mighty power that saves

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3

A horn stood for strength. Zacharias, filled with the Holy Ghost, took up this title for the Messiah being born in David's house: God has "raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David."

• alluded to by Luke 1:69 — Zacharias applies "an horn of salvation ... in the house of his servant David" to the coming Christ.
• a parallel account in Psalm 18:2 — Same title in the Psalm.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; 2 Samuel 22:5–7

Surrounded by death and "the sorrows of hell", David cries out and is heard. The words echo the Savior, who in Gethsemane and on the cross descended below all things, cried to His Father, and was delivered from death.

• a parallel account in Psalm 18:4-6 — Parallel verses in the Psalms.
• alluded to by Hebrews 5:7 — Christ offered prayers with strong crying unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name, I AM, the premortal Christ

Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. 2 Samuel 22:8–16

In poetic language David describes Jehovah, the premortal Christ, tearing open the heavens and coming down in fire, cloud and thunder to rescue His servant, much like His glory at Sinai.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• a parallel account in Psalm 18:7-15 — The same theophany in the Psalms.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name, I AM, the premortal Christ

He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; 2 Samuel 22:17–20

Jehovah reaches down, pulls His servant out of deep waters and sets him in a large place because He delights in him. Christ is the Deliverer who rescues those who call on Him.

• a parallel account in Psalm 18:16-19 — Parallel verses in the Psalms.

Light of the World

For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. 2 Samuel 22:29

David calls the LORD his lamp who lights up his darkness. Jesus, the LORD come in the flesh, is the light that shines in darkness.

• a parallel account in Psalm 18:28 — Thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will lighten my darkness.
• alluded to by John 8:12 — He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness.

Rock

Rock — the sure, unmoving foundation of salvation

For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? 2 Samuel 22:32

There is no other Rock than the LORD. For Latter-day Saints this is Jehovah, Jesus Christ, the one sure foundation.

• a parallel account in Psalm 18:31 — Parallel verse in the Psalms.
• the same title in 1 Samuel 2:2 — Hannah: neither is there any rock like our God.

David as a type of Christ

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. 2 Samuel 22:44–45

David, the anointed king, is made head over nations he did not know. Isaiah uses this pattern for the Messiah from David's line, whom nations that did not know Him would come to, fulfilled in Christ, King over all peoples.

• a parallel account in Psalm 18:43-44 — Parallel verses in the Psalms.
• alluded to by Isaiah 55:3-5 — The sure mercies of David; a leader and commander to the people; nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee.

Rock

Rock — the sure, unmoving foundation of salvation

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation. 2 Samuel 22:47

David ends with praise: the LORD lives and He is the Rock of salvation. Nephi echoes this very title for the Lord in his own psalm.

• a parallel account in Psalm 18:46 — Parallel verse in the Psalms.
• the same title in 2 Nephi 4:30 — Nephi: my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. 2 Samuel 22:50

Paul quotes this verse to show that through Jesus Christ the Gentiles ("the heathen") would come to glorify God. The Anointed King's praise among the nations is fulfilled in Christ.

• quoted by Romans 15:9 — For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
• a parallel account in Psalm 18:49 — Parallel verse in the Psalms.

Messiah

Messiah — the Anointed One (Hebrew mashiach; Greek Christos)

He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore. 2 Samuel 22:51

"His anointed" is literally "his messiah", and the promise of mercy to David's seed "for evermore" looks to the covenant of 2 Samuel 7. It is fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David, whose kingdom has no end.

• alludes to 2 Samuel 7:12-16 — The covenant that David's seed and throne would be established for ever.
• fulfilled by Luke 1:32-33 — The Lord shall give Him the throne of His father David, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.
• a parallel account in Psalm 18:50 — Parallel verse in the Psalms.