INTRODUCTION: Our passage is practically identical to Psalm 18. Its placement helps us to see one of the psalms in its position in history. David and others usually wrote the psalms in response to current events. This one gives praise to God for His deliverance.

1. PRAISING THE PERSON OF THE LORD (2 Samuel 22:1-4 [1] And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: [2] And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; [3] 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. [4] I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
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1. A God Who Delivers (2 Samuel 22:1And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
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1. Out of the hand of enemies
2. Out of the hand of Saul
2. A God Who Is Strong (2 Samuel 22:2And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
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1. He is David’s rock (Psalm 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
   See All..., 46).
2. He is David’s fortress (Psalm 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
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3. He is David’s deliverer (Psalm 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
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3. A God Who Protects (2 Samuel 22:3The 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.
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1. He is David’s trust.
2. He is David’s shield (Psalm 18:35Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
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3. He is the horn of David’s salvation (Psalm 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
   See All...; Luke 1:69And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
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4. He is David’s high tower (Psalm 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
   See All...; Psalm 144:2My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
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5. He is David’s refuge.
6. He is David’s saviour.
7. He saves David from violence.
4. A God Who Is Worthy (2 Samuel 22:4I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
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1. Worthy of our prayers
2. Worthy of our praise
2. PRAISING THE POWER OF THE LORD (2 Samuel 22:5-16 [5] When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; [6] The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; [7] In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. [8] Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. [9] There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. [10] He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. [11] And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. [12] And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. [13] Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled. [14] The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. [15] And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. [16] And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
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1. In a Time of Distress (2 Samuel 22:5-7 [5] When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; [6] The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; [7] In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
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1. David’s trials (2 Samuel 22:5-6 [5] When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; [6] The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
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1. When the waves of death compassed him (2 Samuel 22:5When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
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2. When the floods of ungodly men made him afraid (2 Samuel 22:5When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
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3. When the sorrows of hell compassed him about (2 Samuel 22:6The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
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4. When the snares of death prevented him (2 Samuel 22:6The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
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1. God’s faithfulness (2 Samuel 22:7In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
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1. David cried unto the Lord in his distress.
2. God heard his voice out of His temple.
3. David’s cry entered into the Lord’s ears.
2. With a Demonstration of Strength (2 Samuel 22:8-16 [8] Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. [9] There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. [10] He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. [11] And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. [12] And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. [13] Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled. [14] The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. [15] And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. [16] And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
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1. In nature (2 Samuel 22:8-9 [8] Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. [9] There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
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1. The earth shook and trembled (2 Samuel 22:8Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
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2. The foundations of heaven moved and shook (2 Samuel 22:8Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
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3. Smoke went up out of His nostrils (2 Samuel 22:9There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
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4. Fire went out of His mouth and devoured (2 Samuel 22:9There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
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2. In His visitation (2 Samuel 22:10-11 [10] He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. [11] And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
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1. He bowed the heavens and came down (2 Samuel 22:10He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
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2. Darkness was under His feet (2 Samuel 22:10He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
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3. He rode upon a cherub and did fly (2 Samuel 22:11And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
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4. He was seen upon the wings of the wind (2 Samuel 22:11And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
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3. In His presence (2 Samuel 22:12-13 [12] And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. [13] Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
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1. He made darkness pavilions (2 Samuel 22:12And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
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2. The brightness before Him kindled coals of fire (2 Samuel 22:13Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
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4. In His voice (2 Samuel 22:14-16 [14] The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. [15] And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. [16] And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
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1. He thundered from heaven (2 Samuel 22:14The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
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2. He uttered His voice (2 Samuel 22:14The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
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3. He sent out lighting and discomfited them (2 Samuel 22:15And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
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4. He divided the waters (2 Samuel 22:16And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
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3. PRAISING THE PROTECTION OF THE LORD (2 Samuel 22:17-28 [17] He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; [18] He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. [19] They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. [20] He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me. [21] The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. [22] For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. [23] For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. [24] I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. [25] Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight. [26] With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. [27] With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. [28] And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
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1. His Deliverance (2 Samuel 22:17-20 [17] He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; [18] He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. [19] They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. [20] He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
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1. Out of many waters (2 Samuel 22:17He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
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2. From the enemy (2 Samuel 22:18-19 [18] He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. [19] They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
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3. Because of His delight (2 Samuel 22:20He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
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2. His Reward (2 Samuel 22:21The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
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1. According to David’s righteousness
2. According to the cleanness of David’s hands
3. His Ways (2 Samuel 22:22-24 [22] For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. [23] For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. [24] I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
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1. David kept the ways of the Lord (2 Samuel 22:22For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
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2. David kept the judgments of the Lord (2 Samuel 22:23For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
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3. David kept himself from his iniquity (2 Samuel 22:24I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
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4. His Just Recompense (2 Samuel 22:25-28 [25] Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight. [26] With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. [27] With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. [28] And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
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1. According to righteousness (2 Samuel 22:25Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
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2. According to mercy, uprightness, and purity (2 Samuel 22:26-27 [26] With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. [27] With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
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3. According to pride or humility (2 Samuel 22:28And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
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4. PRAISING THE PROVISION OF THE LORD (2 Samuel 22:29-51 [29] For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. [30] For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. [31] As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. [32] For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? [33] God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. [34] He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places. [35] He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. [36] Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. [37] Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip. [38] I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. [39] And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. [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 sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
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1. A Guide in the Way (2 Samuel 22:29-31 [29] For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. [30] For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. [31] As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
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1. A lamp to lighten the darkness (2 Samuel 22:29For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
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2. Strength to run through a troop and leap over a wall (2 Samuel 22:30For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
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3. A buckler to all that trust in Him (2 Samuel 22:31As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
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2. A Rock on Which to Stand (2 Samuel 22:32-34 [32] For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? [33] God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. [34] He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
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1. He maketh the way perfect (2 Samuel 22:32-33 [32] For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? [33] God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
   See All...).
2. He maketh a way of escape (2 Samuel 22:34He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
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3. Lessons in the Art of Warfare (2 Samuel 22:35-37 [35] He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. [36] Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. [37] Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
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1. In offense (2 Samuel 22:35He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
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2. In defense (2 Samuel 22:36Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
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3. In protection (2 Samuel 22:37Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
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4. Victory in Battle (2 Samuel 22:38-46 [38] I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. [39] And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. [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.
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1. In the past (2 Samuel 22:38-44 [38] I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. [39] And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. [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.
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1. Against his enemies (2 Samuel 22:38-43 [38] I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. [39] And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. [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.
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2. Amongst his people (2 Samuel 22:44Thou 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.
   See All...) - The Lord offered him deliverance from the strivings of his people.
2. In the future (2 Samuel 22:44-46 [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.
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1. Strangers will submit to David (2 Samuel 22:44-45 [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.
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2. Strangers will fade away (2 Samuel 22:46Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
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5. Confidence in His God (2 Samuel 22:47-51 [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 sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
   See All...)
1. Because of His life (2 Samuel 22:47The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
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2. Because of His deliverance (2 Samuel 22:48-49 [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.
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3. Because of His mercy (2 Samuel 22:50-51 [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 sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
   See All...)

CONCLUSION: David’s heart is so overwhelmed that he writes a song of praise for the Lord. When is the last time you praised the Lord out of an overflowing heart?