2 Samuel 22:1-7 – Out Of The Depths
We have here language that we can take and make our own, both in prayer and praise. Can you say of God, as David does here: ‘The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my saviour; you save me from violence.’ Can you say? ‘I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.’ If you’re feeling cold and distant from God, these are words you can take and meditate on. Take some time and think about how God is your rock, fortress, deliverer, horn of your salvation, and so on. Let David’s praise stir your own. When we think of what we’ve been saved from, and of how little strength we would have if left to try and make it to the end of the Christian life, then surely we will be overwhelmed with praise. It’s so easy just to rush into God’s presence without reminding ourselves of who he is and what he’s done. So perhaps as you pray, these might be words that you take and pray back to God, reminding yourself whose presence you’re coming into. These opening words then, in verses 2-4, are words written by the king. But these are also words which any Christian could – and should – take on their own lips.
Perhaps what follows seems a little further from our experience. But it doesn’t take too much imagination to apply it to ourselves. Verses 5 and 6 talk about a near death experience. It’s the language of Jonah in the fish. Perhaps there’s been a time when we did go through a near-death experience. Or we were in a situation where we felt we were drowning, where we felt there was no way out – and then God intervened. And apart from him we wouldn’t be here today. Ultimately this describes each one of us before God saved us. Outside of Christ the waves of death encompassed us, and the torrents of destruction assailed us. The cords of Sheol entangled us and the snares of death confronted us. Think of the drowning feeling you might have if you were mired in debt. You had exhausted all other avenues and knew that unless someone came in and bailed you out, you would lose everything. And then someone did just that! What a relief that would be. That’s nothing compared to the debt of our sins being paid. From the absolute depths – in distress, verse 7 – we have called to God, and our voice has reached his heavenly temple and our cry has come to his ears. Praise God!
Question
- How can we use this psalm to help us pray?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for all that God has done for you/
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.