the prayers of the poor are of great power. When God sent rain to water the earth, these bodies were
buried, for then it appeared that God was entreated for the land. When justice is done on earth,
vengeance from heaven ceases. God is pacified, and is entreated for us through Christ, who was
hanged on a tree, and so made a curse for us, to do away our guilt, though he was himself guiltless.
Verses 15–22
These events seem to have taken place towards the end of David's reign. David fainted, but he
did not flee, and God sent help in the time of need. In spiritual conflicts, even strong saints sometimes
wax faint; then Satan attacks them furiously; but those who stand their ground and resist him, shall
be relieved and made more than conquerors. Death is a Christian's last enemy, and a son of Anak;
but through Him that triumphed for us, believers shall be more than conquerors at last, even over
that enemy.
Chapter 22
David's psalm of thanksgiving.
—This chapter is a psalm of praise; we find it afterwards nearly as Ps 18. They that trust God
in the way of duty, shall find him a present help in their greatest dangers: David did so. Remarkable
preservations should be particularly mentioned in our praises. We shall never be delivered from
all enemies till we get to heaven. God will preserve all his people, 2Ti 4:18. Those who receive
signal mercies from God, ought to give him the glory. In the day that God delivered David, he sang
this song. While the mercy is fresh, and we are most affected with it, let the thank-offering be
brought, to be kindled with the fire of that affection. All his joys and hopes close, as all our hopes
should do, in the great Redeemer.
Chapter 23
Chapter Outline
David's last words. (1–7)
David's mighty men. (8–39)Verses 1–7
These words of David are very worthy of regard. Let those who have had long experience of
God's goodness, and the pleasantness of heavenly wisdom, when they come to finish their course,
bear their testimony to the truth of the promise. David avows his Divine inspiration, that the Spirit
of God spake by him. He, and other holy men, spake and wrote as they were moved by the Holy