2 Samuel 22 28

2 Samuel 22:28 kjv

And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.

2 Samuel 22:28 nkjv

You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.

2 Samuel 22:28 niv

You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.

2 Samuel 22:28 esv

You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

2 Samuel 22:28 nlt

You rescue the humble,
but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 28 Meaning

This verse proclaims God's righteous character, asserting that He brings salvation and deliverance to the humble and oppressed, while meticulously observing and actively humbling those who are proud and arrogant. It describes a fundamental principle of divine justice, where God actively intervenes in human affairs based on humility and pride.

2 Samuel 22 28 Context

2 Samuel chapter 22 is a psalm of thanksgiving delivered by David after the LORD delivered him from all his enemies, including Saul and the Philistines. It is nearly identical to Psalm 18. This song expresses David's profound gratitude and declares God's character as a deliverer, a righteous judge, and a mighty warrior on behalf of His faithful. Verse 28 specifically encapsulates a core theme: God's justice manifests as salvation for the oppressed and judgment for the arrogant. It highlights the divine principle that status before God is not based on worldly power or might, but on one's heart posture of humility or pride. David, once an outcast and humble shepherd, was elevated by God, while his haughty adversaries like Saul were brought low.

2 Samuel 22 28 Word analysis

• And the afflicted people (וְאֶת־עַם עָנִי - wə’eṯ-ʿam ʿāniy):

  • afflicted (`āniy - עָנִי): This word signifies not just economic poverty, but a broader state of being humble, lowly, oppressed, meek, and in need. It encompasses spiritual humility and a recognition of dependence on God, often linked with those experiencing suffering or hardship.
  • people (`am - עַם): Refers to a community, nation, or a group of people. In this context, it identifies the collective who are humble or oppressed.
  • Significance: This pairing emphasizes that God's favor is not with the powerful, but with those who, by circumstance or choice, embody humility.

• thou wilt save (תּוֹשִׁיעַ - tôšîaʿ):

  • save (yasha - יָשַׁע): From a root meaning "to be open, wide," hence "to be free." It implies deliverance, rescue, giving victory, or bringing salvation. It's a proactive, liberating act from God.
  • Significance: God's action is direct and transformative, bringing relief and vindication.

• but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.

  • thine eyes are upon (`êneyḵā ʿal - עֵינֶיךָ עַל): This is an anthropomorphism indicating divine awareness, watchful observation, and specific attention. God's "eyes" are not merely seeing; they imply focused intent, evaluation, and readiness to act.
  • Significance: It highlights God's omniscience and active superintendence over human actions, particularly regarding moral character.
  • haughty (רָמִים - rāmiym): From a root meaning "to be high, exalted." It refers to those who are lofty, proud, arrogant, and self-exalted, often associated with a sense of self-sufficiency and contempt for God or others.
  • Significance: This stands in stark contrast to "afflicted people," illustrating the two categories of people God interacts with differently.
  • that thou mayest bring them down (תַּשְׁפִּילֵם - tašpîlêm): From the root shaphel (שָׁפֵל), meaning "to be low, abase, humble, disgrace, bring down."
  • Significance: This denotes God's active judgment and reversal of the proud's self-appointed high status. It's a purposeful act of de-exaltation.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "afflicted people thou wilt save" vs. "haughty... that thou mayest bring them down": This is a prime example of antithetical parallelism, a common poetic device in Hebrew literature. Two contrasting statements are juxtaposed to emphasize God's consistent and impartial justice. His action towards one group is the reverse of His action towards the other, demonstrating a moral order in His kingdom.
• God's Active Role: The verbs "save" and "bring them down" highlight God's direct intervention. His "eyes" are not passive observers but are focused for the purpose of carrying out His judgment and deliverance. This counters any notion of a distant or uninvolved deity.
• Theological Contrast: This verse sharply contrasts God's character with that of human pride. It polemically asserts that unlike pagan deities who might be manipulated by power or human strength, the God of Israel sides with the vulnerable and brings down those who defy Him through their arrogance. His rule is moral, not merely forceful.

2 Samuel 22 28 Bonus section

This verse carries significant practical and theological weight, particularly in understanding God's nature:

• Divine Reversal: The principle in this verse represents a profound "divine reversal" – what is low in the world's eyes is esteemed by God, and what is high will be abased. This theme is pervasive throughout scripture, culminating in Jesus' teachings and His own life (Phil 2:6-8).
• Heart Condition: The focus on "afflicted/humble" versus "haughty" underscores that God primarily judges the heart condition and attitude towards Him and others, not just external actions or worldly status. Humility before God is paramount.
• Prophetic Implications: This principle extends beyond individual lives to nations and empires. Throughout prophetic literature, God's judgment often falls upon arrogant empires and elevates seemingly insignificant peoples or remnants.
• Antithesis to Self-Salvation: The verse inherently pushes against any humanistic idea of self-salvation or gaining favor through personal might or self-sufficiency. Deliverance is solely from the Lord for those who are dependent on Him, and destruction for those who are proudly independent.

2 Samuel 22 28 Commentary

2 Samuel 22:28 succinctly expresses a core tenet of God's moral governance of the world: He champions the cause of the humble and oppressed while actively opposing and subduing the proud. This is not merely an observation of a societal pattern, but a declarative statement of divine intention and action. God's "eyes" signify His attentive oversight and purpose; He observes both the contrite spirit and the arrogant heart with a view to administer just recompense. This verse reveals His unwavering commitment to righteousness, providing deliverance for those who recognize their dependence on Him and dismantling the self-exaltation of those who scorn Him. It establishes a divine standard where true greatness is found in humility, and inevitable downfall awaits those consumed by pride.