2 Samuel 22 3

2 Samuel 22:3 kjv

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 nkjv

The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.

2 Samuel 22:3 niv

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior? from violent people you save me.

2 Samuel 22:3 esv

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.

2 Samuel 22:3 nlt

my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
the one who saves me from violence.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 3 Meaning

2 Samuel 22:3 proclaims the Lord God as David's ultimate and multifaceted source of protection, stability, and deliverance. It identifies God through a series of vivid metaphors—Rock, Refuge, Shield, Horn of Salvation, Stronghold, Savior—all emphasizing His impenetrable defense and active rescue. The verse culminates in the specific assurance that God has delivered David from all forms of violence and oppression.

2 Samuel 22 3 Context

This verse is part of David's magnificent song of deliverance, recorded also in Psalm 18, which comes at the conclusion of his reign. It immediately follows the statement that "the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." This context is crucial, as the song is not merely theoretical theology but a deep personal testimony arising from decades of relentless conflict, pursuit by Saul, numerous battles, and conspiracies. It expresses the culmination of a life where David continually experienced God's powerful intervention against overwhelming odds and profound danger. The song encapsulates David's gratitude and steadfast faith in the God who faithfully sustained him through every trial, demonstrating His sovereignty over all threats, whether from human adversaries like Saul or Philistines, or internal conflicts within Israel.

2 Samuel 22 3 Word analysis

• My God: (אֱלֹהַי, Elohai) - "God" is Elohim, the majestic plural, indicating the supreme divine being. The possessive "my" establishes an intimate, personal relationship and profound devotion. It's a declaration of ownership and deep trust, not just acknowledgment of a general deity but a personal, covenantal relationship.
• my rock: (סַלְעִי, sal‘i) - Sela refers to a crag, cliff, or bedrock, emphasizing immovability, permanence, and a secure foundation. As a metaphor, it signifies God's absolute dependability and the unshakeable strength He provides as a secure refuge against any storm or adversary. It contrasts with anything temporary or unstable that humans might rely upon.
• in whom I take refuge: (אֶחֱסֶה־בּוֹ, ekh’seh-bo) - Chasah means "to flee for protection," "to seek shelter," or "to trust." This phrase denotes an active choice to seek God for safety and to rely entirely upon Him for security. It implies trust and dependency, especially in times of great distress.
• my shield: (מָגִנִּי, mageni) - Magen is a literal military shield. Metaphorically, God actively intercepts and deflects harm, protecting believers from direct attack and unseen dangers. It speaks of defense, covering, and an active presence guarding from enemies.
• and the horn of my salvation: (וְקֶרֶן יִשְׁעִי, w’qeren yish’i) -
  • horn (קֶרֶן, qeren): In ancient cultures, horns of animals symbolized power, strength, and triumph (e.g., in an animal like a bull). This metaphor signifies mighty, victorious power and elevated status.
  • salvation (יִשְׁעִי, yish‘i): Yeshu'ah means deliverance, help, victory, welfare, or salvation.
  • Together, "horn of my salvation" refers to God's powerful, decisive, and victorious deliverance that exalts David, demonstrating divine strength overcoming adversaries. It points to a triumphant and manifest act of rescue.
• my stronghold: (מִשְׂגַּבִּי, misgabi) - Misgav means a high place, a secure retreat, an inaccessible fortress, or a safe refuge. It speaks of being elevated beyond the reach of enemies, symbolizing God's ability to place David in a position of impregnable safety, a place too high for any enemy to breach.
• and my refuge: (וּמָנוּסִי, u'manusi) - Manos means a place of flight, escape, or asylum. This reiterates the concept of seeking sanctuary and finding immediate safety from danger. It complements misgabi by emphasizing the act of fleeing to God for safety.
• my savior; (מֹשִׁעִי, moshie‘i) - Derived from yasha, "to save, deliver, help." Here it is an active participle, meaning "my rescuer," or "my deliverer." This highlights God as the one who actively brings about deliverance and salvation from distress.
• you save me from violence: (מֵחָמָס תֹּשִׁעֵנִי, mehāmas tōshi‘eni) -
  • violence (חָמָס, hamas): Refers to violence, wrong, injustice, or cruelty, often implying oppressive and destructive acts.
  • This specifies the nature of the deliverance – not just general trouble, but rescue from brutal force, injustice, and oppression aimed at causing harm. It underscores God's justice and His intervention against malevolent actions.

2 Samuel 22 3 Bonus section

The nearly identical wording between 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18 highlights the profound spiritual significance and theological weight David ascribed to these declarations. The very act of repeating this song, whether in David's later life or as a part of liturgical worship in Israel, reinforces its foundational importance as a confession of faith in God's unparalleled sovereignty and deliverancemaking power. The use of multiple metaphors for God's protection (rock, shield, stronghold) demonstrates a rich and dynamic understanding of the divine nature, showing God is not just one thing, but fulfills all protective roles simultaneously, adapting His provision to the specific needs and dangers faced by His people. The phrase "Horn of my salvation" has a particularly significant eschatological dimension, subtly pointing forward to the coming of a mighty rescuer, later fulfilled in the lineage of David by Jesus Christ, the ultimate "Horn of Salvation" (Luke 1:69). This demonstrates that David's immediate physical deliverance also prefigured a greater spiritual deliverance to come for all humanity.

2 Samuel 22 3 Commentary

2 Samuel 22:3 stands as a monumental declaration of trust and a theological summation of David's lived experience with God. Through a series of powerful and multifaceted metaphors—Rock, Shield, Horn of Salvation, Stronghold, Refuge—David extols the comprehensive nature of God's protective and saving character. Each image complements the others: the "Rock" speaks of unwavering stability, the "Shield" of direct defense, the "Horn of Salvation" of powerful victory, and the "Stronghold" and "Refuge" of inaccessible sanctuary. Together, they paint a picture of God as an all-encompassing protector who is both foundational and actively involved in defense and deliverance. The concluding phrase, "you save me from violence," roots these grand theological truths in the practical, often brutal, realities of David's life. It emphasizes God's intervention in specific, life-threatening situations, validating the metaphors not as abstract concepts but as tested realities. This verse offers enduring comfort and a model for profound faith, encouraging believers to seek their own safety and deliverance exclusively in the Lord, who remains their Rock and Savior from all forms of opposition and spiritual violence.