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2 Samuel 22:44-51 – The Nations Are His Inheritance

This is also a song which helps us to look forward with confidence to what Jesus will do in this world, even in our own day. In verse 43, it’s really stretching the phrase ‘head of nations’ – plural – if we apply it to David. Even at the height of his power he was just the head of one nation – the united kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This language goes way beyond David. That’s undoubtedly part of the reason that Romans 15 picks up these closing verses and applies them to the Lord Jesus, and to the nations putting their trust in him. Paul tells us there that part of the reason Jesus came was ‘in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy’. Then he quotes verse 49. So this is a psalm with a missionary thrust. In fact, the psalms are given to enthuse and equip the church in her mission to take the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to every tribe, tongue, nation and language. And as we look to the future generally, we have a prophecy here of what’s going to happen. And that is that Jesus will win. Right up until the end of the world, he will keep saving people. And no-one and nothing can stop him doing that. In those words from Isaiah 52 that Paul quotes in the same chapter of Romans: ‘Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.’ And the explosive growth and spread of the gospel from that day to this is testimony to the truth of that.

So we can go out with confidence. Jesus will have the reward of his sufferings. The nations are his inheritance, as Psalm 2 tells us. The nations include Scotland. The one who has rescued us from the cords of death – the one who has moved heaven and earth to rescue us – he can do the same for others. ‘Great salvation he brings to his king’. And so in light of this song let us pray that we would see the king’s great salvation being experienced in this place in these days! And if we stick close to him, we can be sure, that one day, looking back on our lives, we – like David – will have an overflowing abundance of things to praise him for.

Questions

  1. How can we have confidence as believers?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.