2 Samuel 22:31 kjv
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.
2 Samuel 22:31 nkjv
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
2 Samuel 22:31 niv
"As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
2 Samuel 22:31 esv
This God ? his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
2 Samuel 22:31 nlt
"God's way is perfect.
All the LORD's promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
2 Samuel 22 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| God's Perfection & Righteousness | ||
| Deut 32:4 | He is the Rock, His work is perfect... just and upright is He. | God's work is without flaw. |
| Ps 92:15 | That the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. | No flaw in God's character. |
| Isa 40:28 | ...The everlasting God, the LORD... His understanding is unsearchable. | God's wisdom and ways are beyond measure. |
| Matt 5:48 | Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. | Divine perfection is the ultimate standard. |
| The Reliability & Purity of God's Word | ||
| Ps 12:6 | The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver refined in a furnace... | God's word purified by testing. |
| Ps 19:7 | The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul... | God's instruction is complete and flawless. |
| Ps 33:4 | For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth. | God's word and work are true. |
| Ps 119:140 | Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it. | Purity of God's commands. |
| Prov 30:5 | Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. | Direct parallel, God's pure word protects. |
| Jn 17:17 | Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. | Jesus affirms the truth of God's word. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and powerful... | The active and effective nature of God's word. |
| God as a Shield, Protector, and Refuge | ||
| Gen 15:1 | ...Fear not, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward. | God as Abram's personal protector. |
| Deut 33:29 | ...The LORD is the shield of your help... | God provides defense. |
| Ps 3:3 | But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. | God defends and elevates. |
| Ps 28:7 | The LORD is my strength and my shield... | God provides strength and protection. |
| Ps 59:11 | ...Do not scatter them by Your power, but bring them down, O Lord our shield. | God is the ultimate defense. |
| Ps 84:11 | For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory... | God provides light, life, and protection. |
| Nah 1:7 | The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. | God is a secure refuge for those who trust Him. |
| Trust/Refuge in God | ||
| Ps 2:12 | ...Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. | Blessedness found in trusting God. |
| Ps 5:11 | But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You... | Joy comes from trusting God. |
| Ps 91:2 | I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” | Declaring trust in God as ultimate safety. |
| Isa 26:3-4 | You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You... | Trusting God brings perfect peace. |
| Jer 17:7-8 | Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. | Trusting God brings spiritual vitality and blessing. |
2 Samuel 22 verses
2 Samuel 22 31 Meaning
2 Samuel 22:31 declares the unblemished character, dependable revelation, and protective nature of God. It states that God’s actions and plans are flawless ("His way is perfect"), His spoken word and promises have been tested and found entirely true ("The word of the LORD is proven"), and He acts as a firm protector ("a shield") for all who seek refuge and place their reliance on Him.
2 Samuel 22 31 Context
2 Samuel chapter 22 is a profound psalm of thanksgiving and deliverance sung by King David to the LORD after the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. This chapter is nearly identical to Psalm 18, testifying to its ancient origin and significance within David's life. Placed near the end of 2 Samuel, it serves as a retrospective summary of David’s journey, battles, and God's consistent faithfulness in protecting and upholding him, establishing David’s reign and legacy. Verse 31 specifically captures David's theological conclusion based on a lifetime of experiencing God’s flawless character, reliable promises, and unfailing protection through immense trials and victories. It highlights the divine attributes upon which David built his life and kingdom, contrasting implicitly with the instability and impotence of human efforts or false gods.
2 Samuel 22 31 Word analysis
- As for God (אֵל - El): This refers to the Almighty God, emphasizing His might and strength. While "LORD" (YHWH) appears later in the verse, starting with "El" establishes the absolute nature of the One being described. It is a universal title for God, often used in a powerful, majestic sense.
- His way (דֶּרֶךְ - derekh): Denotes God’s path, conduct, method, or course of action. It encompasses His character, moral attributes, decrees, providential dealings, and overall plan.
- is perfect (תָּמִים - tamim): Means complete, sound, blameless, wholesome, flawless. It implies integrity, moral purity, and functional perfection. God’s ways are without error, defect, or imperfection in any regard, whether in justice, wisdom, or power.
- The word (אִמְרָה - imrah): Refers to God's utterance, speech, or promise. It signifies revealed truth, commandments, or prophetic declarations.
- of the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful, and personal God who keeps His promises.
- is proven (צָרוּף - tsaruf): Literally "refined," "purified," or "tested by fire." Like precious metals subjected to heat, God’s word is tried and emerges pure, untarnished, and proven reliable. This implies it has been demonstrated to be true and dependable through experience and application. It is not merely a statement, but one that withstands scrutiny.
- He is a shield (מָגֵן - magen): A literal or metaphorical defensive weapon, specifically a buckler. It symbolizes protection, defense, and security against all adversaries and dangers. God acts as the ultimate protector.
- to all who trust (חָסָה - chasah): To seek refuge, to trust, to find shelter under the wing. This denotes a deep reliance, confident fleeing to God for safety, and unwavering confidence in His protective power. It speaks of a dependent posture.
- in Him: Emphasizes that the object of trust is exclusively God.
Words-group analysis:
- "As for God, His way is perfect": This foundational statement affirms divine perfection. God’s inherent character and His active work in the world are faultless. His plans are impeccable, His judgments just, and His dealings are righteous, contrasting with imperfect human ways or fallible pagan deities.
- "The word of the LORD is proven": This declares the absolute reliability of God’s revealed truth. It has been tested and demonstrated true through historical events, fulfilled prophecies, and individual experiences. It is not an unproven claim but a reality confirmed by the course of creation and redemption.
- "He is a shield to all who trust in Him": This establishes God’s role as the protector for those who exercise faith. The metaphor of a shield directly connects divine attributes—perfection and reliability—to practical protection and security for His faithful ones. Trusting in God's flawless way and proven word leads directly to His divine defense against life's threats, both physical and spiritual.
2 Samuel 22 31 Bonus section
The close parallel between 2 Sam 22 and Ps 18 suggests the hymn's liturgical importance and likely wide dissemination among God's people. This highlights David's theological contribution to Israel, teaching them to praise God based on His character and faithfulness in deliverance. The Hebrew root for "perfect" (tamim) implies completeness, soundness, and blamelessness—qualities expected of sacrifices without blemish, symbolizing that God's ways are without defect or deficiency. The imagery of the "proven" (tsaruf) word links to the refining process of precious metals, where impurities are burned away, leaving pure silver or gold. This does not mean God’s word is initially impure, but rather that its inherent purity is confirmed and magnified through every test, establishing its utter dependability, particularly in times of distress and uncertainty. The ultimate "proving" of God's word culminated in the perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, affirming God's plan for salvation for all who trust in Him.
2 Samuel 22 31 Commentary
2 Samuel 22:31 is a cornerstone verse articulating profound truths about God's character and His interaction with humanity. David's proclamation arises not from abstract philosophy, but from a life punctuated by severe trials, relentless pursuit by enemies, and miraculous deliverance. He testifies that God’s actions, character, and plans are complete and without flaw. There is no imperfection or error in God's dealings. Furthermore, the Word of the LORD is presented not as a mere declaration, but as something tested and refined, enduring through time and trial to demonstrate its absolute purity and truthfulness. This gives immense assurance to the believer. Consequently, David concludes that this perfect, word-keeping God becomes an impregnable defense for those who consciously rely on Him. Trust is the key, placing oneself under the protective cover of His unfailing power. This verse encapsulates the foundational security and blessedness found in a life of faith rooted in God's inherent perfection and proven faithfulness.