2 Samuel 22 5

2 Samuel 22:5 kjv

When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;

2 Samuel 22:5 nkjv

"When the waves of death surrounded me, The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

2 Samuel 22:5 niv

The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

2 Samuel 22:5 esv

"For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me;

2 Samuel 22:5 nlt

"The waves of death overwhelmed me;
floods of destruction swept over me.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 5 Meaning

The verse describes the psalmist David's profound distress and near-fatal predicament using vivid natural imagery. It expresses that he felt utterly surrounded and overwhelmed by destructive forces that threatened his life and well-being, both physically ("waves of death") and morally/spiritually ("floods of ungodliness"), causing him deep terror. It signifies a state of inescapable danger and immense fear, leading to an desperate cry for divine intervention, setting the stage for his powerful declaration of God's deliverance in the subsequent verses.

2 Samuel 22 5 Context

This verse is part of David's song of deliverance to the Lord, recorded in 2 Samuel chapter 22, which is almost identical to Psalm 18. This psalm celebrates God's miraculous rescue of David from all his enemies, including King Saul. Chapter 22 begins by setting the context that the Lord delivered David from "the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul." The initial verses (2-4) express David's profound trust in God as his refuge and deliverer, establishing his theological premise before recounting his dire situation. Verse 5 begins David's narrative of the intense dangers he faced, describing them in hyperbolic and vivid terms to underscore the magnitude of God's subsequent salvation. This song serves as a profound testimony of faith, gratitude, and divine power demonstrated throughout David's life, especially in times of mortal peril.

2 Samuel 22 5 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, kî): A conjunction meaning "because" or "for." It introduces the reason or explanation for the urgent prayer and subsequent deliverance implied in the preceding verses. It connects David's distress to the reason for God's powerful intervention.
• the waves (מִשְׁבְּרֵי, mishberey): Literally "breaking waves," "breakers," or "billows," often referring to the surf near the shore where waves break with destructive force. It also carries a metaphorical sense of the pangs of childbirth or a crushing burden, indicating intense suffering or distress. Here, it denotes an overwhelming, active, and crushing force.
• of death (מָוֶת, māwet): Refers to the physical state of death, but also personifies death as a powerful enemy or domain (like Sheol/the grave). It signifies mortal danger, near-fatal conditions, or the oppressive power of the grave threatening to consume one. It emphasizes the ultimate nature of the threat.
• encompassed me (אֲפָפֻנִי, ʾafāfunī): Means to surround, encircle, wrap around, or enclose completely. It conveys a sense of being trapped, suffocated, or unable to escape the threatening situation. There was no clear way out for David by his own strength.
• the floods (נַחֲלֵי, naḥălê): From naḥal, meaning "wadis" or "torrents" – seasonal streams that swell rapidly and become powerful, destructive rivers after heavy rains. This metaphor conveys overwhelming, uncontrollable, and destructive power.
• of ungodliness (בְלִיַּעַל, bĕlîya‘al): From "Belial," literally "without usefulness," "worthlessness," or "ruin." It refers to utter wickedness, mischief, or destruction. It often personifies evil forces or wicked individuals (e.g., "sons of Belial"). Here, it implies not just natural calamities, but forces actively driven by evil, corrupt intent, or profound worthlessness that sought to destroy David.
• dismayed me (יְבַעֲתוּנִי, yevāʿatunī): To terrify, throw into consternation, cause alarm, or put to flight. It denotes a powerful emotional and psychological impact—deep fear, panic, and distress that paralyzes one.

• "The waves of death...encompassed me": This phrase paints a picture of inescapable physical peril, where death, like powerful, relentless ocean waves, entirely surrounded David, threatening to drown him. It suggests being utterly submerged in life-threatening circumstances.
• "The floods of ungodliness dismayed me": This parallels the first phrase, but adds a dimension of moral or spiritual menace. It describes torrents of wickedness or destructive evil pouring over him, not merely physically but psychologically and spiritually terrorizing him. The threat here is not just of demise but of overwhelming despair and the destructive influence of malevolent forces or individuals.

2 Samuel 22 5 Bonus section

This verse is pivotal in showcasing the depth of David's past suffering, framing it as an ultimate struggle against forces far beyond his control. The repetition of similar "cords" and "floods" imagery is common in biblical psalms (e.g., Ps 18:4; Ps 116:3; Ps 69:1-2), suggesting a recurring ancient Near Eastern metaphor for dire distress and chaotic circumstances. It emphasizes the impersonal and relentless nature of these threats, like natural disasters, coupled with the malevolent aspect implied by "ungodliness" or "Belial." This distinction underlines that David faced not just misfortune, but active evil, setting the stage for the celebration of God's absolute sovereignty and redemptive power over both chaos and corruption.

2 Samuel 22 5 Commentary

2 Samuel 22:5 profoundly captures the intensity of David's past struggles, which were so overwhelming that they felt like literal floods of chaos and death. He felt trapped by forces bent on his destruction—"waves of death" speaks to imminent physical demise, while "floods of ungodliness/Belial" refers to torrents of evil and wickedness, likely representing his numerous enemies and the corruption that threatened to consume him. This graphic imagery of an individual being plunged into the chaotic deep, signifying overwhelming calamity and existential dread, highlights David's utter helplessness apart from God. Yet, by recounting such despair, the verse masterfully sets the stage for the glorious and decisive intervention of the Lord, making His deliverance all the more striking and celebrated in the remainder of the psalm.