2 Samuel 22:31
Konteks22:31 The one true God acts in a faithful manner; 1
the Lord’s promise is reliable; 2
he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.
2 Samuel 22:33
Konteks22:33 The one true God 3 is my mighty refuge; 4
he removes 5 the obstacles in my way. 6
2 Samuel 22:48
Konteks22:48 The one true God completely vindicates me; 7
he makes nations submit to me. 8
[22:31] 1 tn Heb “[As for] the God, his way is blameless.” The term הָאֵל (ha’el, “the God”) stands as a nominative (or genitive) absolute in apposition to the resumptive pronominal suffix on “way.” The prefixed article emphasizes his distinctiveness as the one true God (see BDB 42 s.v. II אֵל 6; Deut 33:26). God’s “way” in this context refers to his protective and salvific acts in fulfillment of his promise (see also Deut 32:4; Pss 67:2; 77:13 [note vv. 11-12, 14]; 103:7; 138:5; 145:17).
[22:31] 2 tn Heb “the word of the
[22:33] 3 tn Heb “the God.” See the note at v. 31.
[22:33] 4 tc 4QSama has מְאַזְּרֵנִי (mÿ’azzÿreni, “the one girding me with strength”) rather than the MT מָעוּזִּי (ma’uzzi, “my refuge”). See as well Ps 18:32.
[22:33] 5 tn The prefixed verbal form with vav consecutive here carries along the generalizing tone of the preceding line.
[22:33] 6 tn Heb “and he sets free (from the verb נָתַר, natar) [the] blameless, his [Kethib; “my” (Qere)] way.” The translation follows Ps 18:32 in reading “he made my path smooth.” The term תָּמִים (tamim, “smooth”) usually carries a moral or ethical connotation, “blameless, innocent.” However, in Ps 18:33 it refers to a pathway free of obstacles. The reality underlying the metaphor is the psalmist’s ability to charge into battle without tripping (see vv. 33, 36).
[22:48] 7 tn Heb “The God is the one who grants vengeance to me.” The plural form of the noun “vengeance” indicates degree here, suggesting complete vengeance or vindication. In the ancient Near East military victory was sometimes viewed as a sign that one’s God had judged in favor of the victor, avenging and/or vindicating him. See, for example, Judg 11:27, 32-33, 36.
[22:48] 8 tn Heb “and [is the one who] brings down nations beneath me.”