2 Samuel 22 4

2 Samuel 22:4 kjv

I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

2 Samuel 22:4 nkjv

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22:4 niv

"I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22:4 esv

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22:4 nlt

I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 4 Meaning

2 Samuel 22:4 is a profound declaration of trust and praise, encapsulating David’s reliance on the LORD for deliverance. It asserts that David calls upon the LORD because God's intrinsic nature is one of ultimate praiseworthiness, and this worshipful reliance invariably results in salvation from his adversaries. It speaks to God’s character as the sole source of rescue and emphasizes that such rescue is not a random occurrence but a direct consequence of His deserving nature and the trust placed in Him.

2 Samuel 22 4 Context

2 Samuel chapter 22 records David’s song of deliverance, almost identical to Psalm 18. This chapter follows the account of the "last words of David" (2 Sam 23:1) but serves as a grand poetic summary of his life’s struggles and God's consistent deliverance. The heading of 2 Samuel 22 states that David "spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." This song is therefore a deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving and testimony, born from numerous experiences of divine rescue throughout David’s reign, particularly his harrowing escapes from King Saul and later, from various national enemies. Verse 4 serves as the foundational declaration of how David achieved these deliverances – by invoking God’s supremely praiseworthy character. It encapsulates his life-long practice of turning to God in crisis.

2 Samuel 22 4 Word analysis

• I call upon: From the Hebrew 'eqra' (אֶקְרָא֙), a Qal imperfect verb meaning "to call, cry out, proclaim." It indicates a deliberate, ongoing, or habitual action. This is not a mere thought but an active verbal invocation, signifying conscious dependence and trust in the LORD. It implies both a prayerful plea and an act of worship.
• the LORD: Represented by the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָ֣ה), God's personal covenant name. This specific name underscores God's active, self-existent, and relational nature, particularly His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Calling upon YHWH is to appeal to the God who is consistently present, powerful, and committed to His people.
• who is worthy to be praised: From the Hebrew m'hullal (מְהֻלָּ֗ל), a Pual participle of halal (to praise, laud). The Pual stem emphasizes that God is the object of praise, implying He is inherently praiseworthy. He doesn't become worthy of praise through an act, but rather He is, by nature, continuously and supremely worthy. This means the reason for calling upon Him is not just out of desperation, but out of recognition of His inherent greatness, power, and character. This foundational understanding fuels the confidence in His ability to save.
• and I am saved: From the Hebrew u-miy-yasha' (וּמִיָּשַׁ֙ע֙), composed of a conjunction (u - "and") and a Hophal participle of yasha' (to save, deliver, rescue). The Hophal stem signifies that David is caused to be saved, or is delivered. It emphasizes that the action of salvation originates from another (God) and is performed upon the subject (David). This highlights God's sole agency in providing the deliverance, removing any sense of self-reliance or human effort in securing rescue from powerful adversaries.
• from my enemies: me'oy'vay (מֵאֹיְבַ֖י), referring to all those who oppose David, whether individuals like Saul or surrounding nations. This phrase defines the specific context of the "salvation," which in David's life, primarily meant physical deliverance from imminent danger, attack, or overwhelming opposition. It indicates that the deliverance is practical and comprehensive against real, tangible threats.

2 Samuel 22 4 Bonus section

The strong parallel between 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18 highlights the theological significance of this passage; its inclusion in two books suggests its canonical importance as a foundational testimony of faith and deliverance. The verb halal (praised) in m'hullal is the root from which "Hallelujah" (Praise the Lord) is derived, deepening the connection between praising God's character and experiencing His saving power. The comprehensive nature of "saved from my enemies" implies not just a single rescue but a continuous state of protection and victory God provided throughout David's tumultuous life and reign. This pattern of God's deliverance in David's life foreshadows the greater salvation found in Jesus Christ, who delivers His people from their spiritual enemies—sin and death—and provides eternal redemption.

2 Samuel 22 4 Commentary

2 Samuel 22:4 serves as the core theological premise for David's entire song of deliverance. It articulates a fundamental truth: deliverance stems from God's character and man's trustful invocation of Him. David’s statement is not merely a recounting of an event, but a declaration of his perpetual operational theology. He calls upon the LORD not just in crisis, but because the LORD's very nature is "worthy to be praised"—a powerful and deserving object of faith. This inherent praiseworthiness establishes God's absolute capacity and right to save. Consequently, David’s experience of salvation is presented not as a coincidence or his own achievement, but as the natural and inevitable outcome of relying on such a God. It underscores the spiritual dynamic where worshipful dependence on the sovereign Creator is met with His redemptive power, providing safety and victory even against insurmountable foes. This verse offers a pattern for all believers: in moments of threat, look to God, declare His praiseworthiness, and find assured deliverance through His mighty hand.