2Samuel 22-23; Psalms 57 - Prayer Tents

David’s Song of Praise

22David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul.H1732H1696H3068H1697H7892H3117H3068H5337H3709H341H3709H7586 2He sang: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;H559H3068H5553H4686H6403 3my 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.H430H6697H2620H4043H7161H3468H4869H4498H3467H3467H2555 4I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.H7121H3068H1984H3467H341 5"The waves of death overwhelmed me; floods of destruction swept over me.H4867H4194H661H5158H1100H1204 6The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path.H2256H7585H5437H4170H4194H6923 7But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.H6862H7121H3068H7121H430H8085H6963H1964H7775H241 8"Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the heavens shook; they quaked because of his anger.H776H1607H1607H7493H4146H8064H7264H1607H2734 9Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him.H5927H6227H639H784H6310H398H1513H1197 10He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet.H5186H8064H3381H6205H7272 11Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.H7392H3742H5774H7200H3671H7307 12He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds.H7896H2822H5521H5439H2841H4325H5645H7834 13A great brightness shone around him, and burning coals blazed forth.H5051H1513H784H1197 14The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.H3068H7481H8064H5945H5414H6963 15He shot arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were confused.H7971H2671H6327H1300H2000 16Then at the command of the LORD, at the blast of his breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.H650H3220H7200H4146H8398H1540H1606H3068H5397H7307H639 17"He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters.H7971H4791H3947H4871H7227H4325 18He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.H5337H5794H341H8130H553 19They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me.H6923H3117H343H3068H4937 20He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.H3318H4800H2502H2654 21The LORD rewarded me for doing right; he restored me because of my innocence.H3068H1580H6666H1252H3027H7725 22For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not turned from my God to follow evil.H8104H1870H3068H7561H430 23I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees.H4941H2708H5493 24I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin.H8549H8104H5771 25The LORD rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence.H3068H7725H6666H1252H5048H5869 26"To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.H2623H2616H8549H1368H8552 27To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.H1305H1305H6141H6617 28You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.H6041H5971H3467H5869H7311H8213 29O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD lights up my darkness.H5216H3068H3068H5050H2822 30In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.H7323H1416H430H1801H7791 31"God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.H410H1870H8549H565H3068H6884H4043H2620 32For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?H410H1107H3068H6697H1107H430 33God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect.H410H4581H2428H5425H1870H8549 34He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.H7737H7272H7737H355H5975H1116 35He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.H3925H3027H4421H7198H5154H5181H2220 36You have given me your shield of victory; your help has made me great.H5414H4043H3468H6031H6038H7235 37You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.H7337H6806H7166H4571 38"I chased my enemies and destroyed them; I did not stop until they were conquered.H7291H341H8045H7725H3615 39I consumed them; I struck them down so they did not get up; they fell beneath my feet.H3615H4272H6965H5307H7272 40You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet.H247H2428H4421H6965H3766 41You placed my foot on their necks. I have destroyed all who hated me.H5414H6203H341H6789H8130 42They looked for help, but no one came to their rescue. They even cried to the LORD, but he refused to answer.H8159H3467H3068H6030 43I ground them as fine as the dust of the earth; I trampled them in the gutter like dirt.H7833H6083H776H1854H2916H2351H7554 44"You gave me victory over my accusers. You preserved me as the ruler over nations; people I don't even know now serve me.H6403H7379H5971H8104H7218H1471H5971H3045H5647 45Foreign nations cringe before me; as soon as they hear of me, they submit.H1121H5236H3584H8085H241H8085 46They all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds.H1121H5236H5034H2296H4526 47"The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!H3068H2416H1288H6697H7311H430H6697H3468 48He is the God who pays back those who harm me; he brings down the nations under meH410H5414H5360H3381H5971 49and delivers me from my enemies. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents.H3318H341H7311H6965H5337H2555H376 50For this, O LORD, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name.H3034H3068H1471H2167H8034 51You give great victories to your king; you show unfailing love to your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever."H4024H1431H3444H4428H6213H2617H4899H1732H2233H5704H5769

David’s Last Words

23These are the last words of David: "David, the son of Jesse, speaks—David, the man who was raised up so high, David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.H314H1697H1732H1732H1121H3448H5002H1397H6965H5920H4899H430H3290H5273H2158H3478H5002 2"The Spirit of the LORD speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue.H7307H3068H1696H4405H3956 3The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: 'The one who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God,H430H3478H559H6697H3478H1696H4910H120H6662H4910H3374H430 4is like the light of morning at sunrise, like a morning without clouds, like the gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain.'H216H1242H8121H2224H1242H3808H5645H1877H776H5051H4306 5"Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success.H1004H410H7760H5769H1285H6186H8104H3468H2656H6779 6But the godless are like thorns to be thrown away, for they tear the hand that touches them.H1100H6975H5074H3947H3027 7One must use iron tools to chop them down; they will be totally consumed by fire."H376H5060H4390H1270H6086H2595H8313H8313H784H7675

David’s Mightiest Warriors

8These are the names of David's mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the three mightiest warriors among David's men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.H8034H1368H1732H8461H3427H7675H3429H7218H7991H5722H6112H8083H3967H2491H259H6471 9Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled.H310H499H1121H1734H266H7969H1368H1732H2778H6430H622H4421H376H3478H5927 10He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the LORD gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!H6965H5221H6430H3588H3027H3021H3027H1692H2719H3068H6213H1419H8668H3117H5971H7725H310H6584 11Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled,H310H8048H1121H89H2043H6430H622H2416H2513H7704H4392H5742H5971H5127H6440H6430 12but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.H3320H8432H2513H5337H5221H6430H3068H6213H1419H8668 13Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David's fighting men) went down to meet him there.H7969H7970H7970H7218H3381H935H1732H7105H4631H5725H2416H6430H2583H6010H7497 14David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.H1732H4686H4673H6430H1035 15David remarked longingly to his men, "Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem."H1732H183H559H8248H4325H953H1035H8179 16So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the LORD.H7969H1368H1234H4264H6430H7579H4325H953H1035H8179H5375H935H1732H14H8354H5258H3068 17"The LORD forbid that I should drink this!" he exclaimed. "This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me." So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.H559H2486H3068H6213H1818H582H1980H5315H14H8354H6213H7969H1368

David’s Thirty Mighty Men

18Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three.H52H251H3097H1121H6870H7218H7992H5782H2595H7969H3967H2491H8034H7969 19Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.H3513H7969H8269H935H7969 20There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it.H1141H1121H3077H1121H2428H376H381H6909H7227H6467H5221H8147H739H4124H3381H5221H738H8432H953H3117H7950 21Once, armed only with a club, he killed a great Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with it.H2026H4713H4758H376H4713H2595H3027H3381H7626H1497H2595H4713H3027H5221H2595 22Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the Three mightiest warriors.H6213H1141H1121H3077H8034H7969H1368 23He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard.H3513H7970H935H7969H1732H7760H4928 24Other members of the Thirty included: Asahel, Joab's brother; Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;H6214H251H3097H7970H445H1121H1734H1035 25Shammah from Harod; Elika from Harod;H8048H2733H470H2733 26Helez from Pelon; Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;H2503H6407H5896H1121H6142H8621 27Abiezer from Anathoth; Sibbecai from Hushah;H44H6069H4012H2843 28Zalmon from Ahoah; Maharai from Netophah;H6756H266H4121H5200 29Heled son of Baanah from Netophah; Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah (in the land of Benjamin);H2460H1121H1196H5200H863H1121H7380H1390H1121H1144 30Benaiah from Pirathon; Hurai from Nahale-gaash;H1141H6553H1914H5158H1608 31Abi-albon from Arabah; Azmaveth from Bahurim;H45H6164H5820H1273 32Eliahba from Shaalbon; the sons of Jashen; JonathanH455H8170H1121H3464H3083 33son of Shagee from Harar; Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;H8048H2043H279H1121H8325H2043 34Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah; Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh;H467H1121H308H1121H4602H463H1121H302H1526 35Hezro from Carmel; Paarai from Arba;H2695H3761H6474H701 36Igal son of Nathan from Zobah; Bani from Gad;H3008H1121H5416H6678H1137H1425 37Zelek from Ammon; Naharai from Beeroth, Joab's armor bearer;H6768H5984H5171H886H5375H3627H3097H1121H6870 38Ira from Jattir; Gareb from Jattir;H5896H3505H1619H3505 39Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.H223H2850H7970H7651

57[For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”] Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.H5329H516H4387H1732H1272H6440H7586H4631H2603H430H2603H5315H2620H6738H3671H2620H1942H5674 2I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.H7121H430H5945H410H1584 3He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.H7971H8064H3467H2778H7602H5542H430H7971H2617H571 4I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey—whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.H5315H8432H3833H7901H3857H1121H120H8127H2595H2671H3956H2299H2719 5Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth.H7311H430H8064H3519H776 6My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. InterludeH3559H7568H6471H5315H3721H3738H7882H6440H8432H5307H5542 7My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!H3820H3559H430H3820H3559H7891H2167 8Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.H5782H3519H5782H5035H3658H5782H7837 9I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.H3034H136H5971H2167H3816 10For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.H2617H1419H8064H571H7834 11Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.H7311H430H8064H3519H776