The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 541

Vers. 17-20.-Rescue from mighty foes. In vers. 8-16 the psalmist depicts Jehovah as appearing in his glory for the deliveranc.e of his servant. The picture may have been occasioned by a storm which, in one of his battles, had terrified his enemies and aided in their discomfiture (comp. Josh. x. 11; 1 Sam. vii. 10). In the text he narrates the deliverance itself. . • L THE ENEIIIIIES. Who were: 1. MaJ,ignant. "Hated me." There was not only opposition and contest, but personal hatred. Many of the Christian's foes have this quality in a high degree (John xvii. 14), not.ably their great leader and chief, Satan (equivalent to "adversary," 1 Pet. v. 8). 2. Powerful. "My.strong enemy . , . too strong for me." In physical strength, or military, or in numbers. David may have had in view such instances as those recorded in eh. viii. 3-5 and xxi. 16-17. The Christian's foes also are " powers" (Eph. vi. 12). Wherein consists the power of the enemies of the righteous? (1) Their inherent vigour; (2) their adaptation t,o our lower nature; (3) their number. 3. Subtle. ., They prevented me in the day of my calamity." They rushed upon him unexpectedly, when he was enfeebled by calamity; and poorly prepared for them. David may be thinking of the attack of the Syrians of Damascus, while he and his army were engaged with Hadadezer or exhausted by the contest with him (eh.viii. 5); or of the assault of the giant lshbi-benob, while he was faint from fighting against the Philistines (eh. xxi. 15, 16). Thus, also, the Christian's foes often surprise him when he is preoccupied or distressed by troubles. The day of calamity is a day of Bpiritual danger. 4. In a measure succ.e86ful,, So that he became as a man struggling for life in" great waters" (comp. vers. 5, 6). It seemed as if he must be swallowed up. Thus, also, the enemies of the Christian may do him much mischief, temporal and even spiritual ; but there is a limit to their power. '' For the eyes of the Lord run t,o and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chron. xvi. 9). II. THE DELIVERER. Jehovah, the Almighty, whose glorious interposition on behalf of his servant, in answer to his cry of distress, is described in the previous verses. They set forth : 1. His awful, majesty. 2. His power over all the forces of natwre. 3. The -i'I/Jensity of his intereJJt in his troobled seroants. How he rouses himself, as it were, for the rescue of those in whom he delights (ver. 20). 4. His 0111,ger against their enemies. (Veri,. 8, 9.) With such a Friend, who can neither be surprised, evaded, or resisted, the righteous need not dread the might of any adversary, nor despair of deliverance from the direst troubles. III. THE DELIVEBillCE. God: 1. Supported him in his perils. "The Lord was my Stay." 2. Be saved him from them, "He stretched forth his hand from on high; he laicl hold of me; he drew me out of great waters; he delivered me," eto. God's hand can reach his servants in the lowest depths of trouble, and is stron~ to rescue them from the strongest of their foes. 3. He brO'U,flht him into a condition of frwlom and safety. "Into a large place," a broad, open space, where no "cords of Sheol," or "snares of death" (ver. 6, Revised Version), would embarrass or endanger him; where he could move about with perfect freedom, and yet perfect security. Such help from on high is realized by God's people in this world ; perfectly when the hand of their God lays hold of them and raises them from earth to heaven. IV. THE PBA.lllE. (See homilies on vera. 2--4, 4, and 7.) The perfections and acts of Jehovah are of such a nature that to merely recite them is to praise him. We should mr. xxn. 1-61.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 657