2 Samuel 22 50

2 Samuel 22:50 kjv

Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

2 Samuel 22:50 nkjv

Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name.

2 Samuel 22:50 niv

Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

2 Samuel 22:50 esv

"For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.

2 Samuel 22:50 nlt

For this, O LORD, I will praise you among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 50 Meaning

This verse declares King David's commitment to praise and thank the Lord among the non-Israelite nations, recognizing God's ultimate sovereignty and universal reach. It transitions from David's personal deliverance to a profound, public, and widespread acknowledgment of God's character and saving power, extending beyond the boundaries of Israel.

2 Samuel 22 50 Context

Chapter 22 of 2 Samuel is a poetic psalm of thanksgiving and deliverance by King David. It is almost identical to Psalm 18. This song is attributed to the "day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." It opens by praising God as David's strong deliverer and refuge, recounting vivid imagery of God's intervention on his behalf against formidable foes. The psalm details God's mighty actions, His righteousness, David's blamelessness before God (relative to his enemies), and God's powerful judgment against those who opposed David. It culminates in God's exaltation of David, making him head over nations, and delivering him from violence. Verse 50 specifically looks forward, beyond David's personal triumphs and the Israelite nation, envisioning a future where God's name is proclaimed and glorified among all peoples, a messianic expansion of the kingdom.

2 Samuel 22 50 Word analysis

• Therefore (‘al-ken, עַל־כֵּ֫ן): This conjunction signifies a conclusion or consequence based on what has just been stated. In the preceding verses, David recounted God's extraordinary acts of deliverance and judgment, demonstrating His absolute power and faithfulness. This "therefore" links the personal experience of God's saving power (described vividly from verse 1) to a public and universal response of praise.
• I will give thanks ('oděka, אֹודְךָ֣): From the Hiphil imperfect form of the verb yādâh (יָדָה), meaning "to praise, laud, give thanks, confess." The Hiphil stem often denotes a causative or declarative action, implying an active and public expression of gratitude and adoration. It is not a passive reception of thanks, but a deliberate, outward act of acknowledging God's worth. This term suggests both confession of sin and confession of God's mighty deeds.
• to you, O LORD (YHWH, יְהֹוָ֖ה): This is the Tetragrammaton, the personal, covenantal name of the God of Israel. Using YHWH here highlights that the universal praise is directed not to a generic deity but specifically to the God who delivered David, established a covenant with Israel, and uniquely reveals Himself. It reinforces the identity of the God being praised among all nations.
• among the Gentiles (baggôyim, בַּגֹּויִ֑ם): The word gôyim (גֹּויִם) means "nations," "peoples," or often, "Gentiles"—non-Israelite peoples. This is a highly significant phrase. For David, king of Israel, to declare that he would praise YHWH among the Gentiles was a visionary and almost prophetic statement. It asserts that God's dominion and the knowledge of His redemptive work are not confined to Israel but extend to the entire world. This stands as an implicit polemic against the idea that other national deities held power, affirming YHWH's universal sovereignty. It also foreshadows the inclusive nature of God's ultimate salvation plan, culminating in the New Testament with the widespread inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant community through Christ.
• and sing praises (wa'ăzammerâh, וַאֲזַמְּרָ֥ה): From the Piel imperfect of the verb zāmar (זָמַר), meaning "to make music, sing, play, praise (with instruments)." The Piel stem emphasizes intensive or repetitive action. This implies not just spoken thanks but a joyful, musical, and perhaps liturgical form of worship. It speaks of a deep emotional response of adoration expressed through song, making the praise public and audible.
• to your name (lišmĕkā, לִשְׁמֶֽךָ): In biblical thought, "name" (שֵׁם, shem) refers not just to a title but to the very essence, character, and reputation of a person. To praise God's name is to praise all that He is—His attributes, power, holiness, faithfulness, and salvific deeds. It's a comprehensive act of worship directed at His revealed nature. The focus on God's "name" also anticipates its declaration among the gôyim, so they, too, may know and revere Him.

2 Samuel 22 50 Bonus section

The close parallel between 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18 highlights a rich textual tradition within ancient Israel, indicating that this song of thanksgiving was deeply embedded in their worship life. The phrase "among the Gentiles" serves as a significant eschatological pointer. While David might have initially conceived this as a witness to nations around Israel who had seen God's mighty acts on his behalf, the prophetic Spirit working through him clearly indicates a broader, future reality. The New Testament writers, particularly Paul, interpret this verse as an explicit prophetic declaration of Gentile inclusion into the covenant through Christ, showcasing how God's intention from ancient times was a universal people, united under one King, praising one God. This shows that the promises to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his offspring find echo and anticipation even in David's triumphant psalms.

2 Samuel 22 50 Commentary

David's song of deliverance, deeply personal in its account of rescue from Saul and other adversaries, expands here to a universal declaration. Verse 50 marks a climactic shift from the "I" of personal deliverance to a profound, public vow of praise to the Lord, YHWH, that transcends the borders of Israel. David commits to laud God "among the Gentiles," expressing a divine purpose for salvation and recognition that reaches all nations. This anticipates God's ultimate plan, revealed fully in the New Covenant, to include people from every tribe, tongue, and nation into His family. The praise is directed "to His name," encompassing all that God is – His character, power, and glory – making the witness of His redemptive acts available for all humanity. This verse is cited by Paul in Romans 15:9 to justify the Gentile mission, illustrating that the Old Testament itself laid the groundwork for the inclusive nature of the Gospel. It underscores that God's plan was never solely for Israel but destined to encompass all peoples through the Davidic lineage leading to Christ.