This Song of David is the same as Psalm 18.  It's lovely to think of God as being David's rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn, high tower, refuge and Saviour.  And that is only in his first 2 verses.

2 Samuel 22 reflects Ps. 18. It is David's song of deliverance from his enemies.  It also pertains to Jesus' deliverance on the cross. 

Consider some of the physical phenomena that took place:

Vs.8,9 See Psa 18:7,8 During Jesus' crucifixion, the accompanying lightning and thunder would have been spectacular to those who witnessed the event.  Even more startling would have been the earthquake (Matt 27:51). 

Vs.10-14 See Psa 18:9-13 When Jesus was being crucified, darkness occurred between noon and three p.m. (Matt 27:45).  This unusual circumstance could indicate that Yahweh himself came down to be with His son during this trying time. No wonder that the believing centurion, witnessing all these things, could see the divine hand at work (Matt 27:54).

22:5  This Psalm was spoken at the end of David’s life. He had been through many afflictions. We learn that there must have been a number of times when he thought he would die – saying ‘the waves of death’. We should not that david associates these times with the behaviour of ‘ungodly men’. It was not simply a fear of death. Rather it was a fear of being separated from his god and being unable to praise him – Psa 6:5

22:3 David’s confident assertion ‘in Him will I trust’ is the basis for the language in Heb 2:13 where, in Spirit, Jesus is presented as speaking these words.

22:20   David was not liberally brought into ‘a large place’. David is speaking metaphorically of his deliverance. He had felt trapped and now he was liberated.

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V.11 Yahweh is shown riding on a cherub. What is the significance of using this figure?

Cherubim are symbolic figures which represent the glory of Yahweh.  Let us look at three aspects of the cherubim.

First, we meet cherubim after Adam and Eve had been expelled from the Garden (Gen 3:24). Yahweh’s glory will protect (reserve) the Garden until humankind is fit to re-establish itself there. This will occur in the Kingdom.

Second, we see that the Cherubim were situated over the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant (Heb 9:5).  These cherubim signalled that Yahweh was present to meet with man over the mercy seat through the participation of the High priest.

Third, the cherubim are presented as living creatures in Eze 1:4-14.  These are the same as those found in Rev 4:6. They represent the saints who have been redeemed by Jesus at the judgment.

And so, Yahweh is described as riding on a cherub, a symbolic figure that embodies: His glory; the Redeemed; and the promise of a return to paradise.

Yahweh came down to earth to be with His Son Jesus as He was being crucified. He came down to the dwelling place of humankind.

Through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, access to Yahweh was opened up for humankind.  As the mediator between God and man, Jesus brought His Father to us (1Tim 2:5). He is the mercy seat where Yahweh comes to meet with man.  And, he is the High Priest who facilitates this process.

And so, because of His sacrifice, Jesus brought Yahweh to humankind.  Those who have come into covenant relationship with Yahweh through Jesus, have the hope of sharing glory with the deity in the Kingdom and beyond.

The cherub on which Yahweh rode, is symbolic of the God-manifestation that will be experienced by those found acceptable at the judgment.

22:10 As ‘God is light’ - 1John 1:5– we might think it strange that ‘darkness was under his feet’. However God does bring darkness when He is angry with His people – for example at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus – Matt 27:45

V.12 The first to be punished will be Babylon, for its guilt.  

Vs.17-26 After the punishment of Judah and Jerusalem, the cup of Yahweh's wrath will then be extended to all nations . 

Vs.31-33 The controversy with all nations will occur when the Lord Jesus returns to cleanse the earth of evil. 

V.26 The last to be punished will be Sheshach. Sheshach is a code name for Babylon (Jer 51:41).  The fact that Sheshach (Babylon) shall drink of Yahweh's wrath after all the other nations points forward to the final destruction of Babylon (Rome) (Rev 14:8; 18:2,21).

V.13-14 Even though Babylon was an instrument in God's hand to punish His people for their sins, Babylon would still have to answer to God for her own iniquities. For those sins she would be enslaved, just as she had enslaved the Children of Israel (Jer 50:9)

25:9  That Israel were to be ‘an astonishment’ is what Moses said – Deut 28:23– if they were faithless.

25:10 This sorrowful picture of Judah is contrasted by the hope in Jer 33:10-11 which speaks of the time when the subjugation of Judah and Israel is finally over.

25:3 The ‘thirteenth year of Josiah’ is the tie that Jeremiah started his prophecy – Jer 1:2  So the prophet is saying that he has been presenting the same message for all that time.

V.3 Jeremiah had been prophesying for twenty-three years. Yahweh was giving His people plenty of time and opportunity to turn to Him.  Such was His mercy.

During the time Jeremiah prophesied, he was faced with severe opposition.  It is hard to keep going under those conditions.  Also, the more that time goes on without any predictions being realized, the more scepticism sets in. 

The same is true today.  People are too cynical to believe that there is a God, or that Jesus will come again to take control.  These cynical people echo the first century scoffers who said: Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation (2Pet 3:4).

25:10 The removing of ‘mirth’ echoes the earlier prophet – Hos 2:11– whose warning to Israel in the north was unheeded and Israel was taken into captivity. Again one might have thought that the king, with the Chaldeans surrounding Jerusalem, would have heeded the earlier example.

Vs.11-13 In Babylon, Daniel read Jeremiah’s writing and understood the situation of Judah’s captivity (Dan 9:2).

V.19 Because Egypt gave some Jews sanctuary, Yahweh would bring Nebuchadnezzar against it (Jer 46:2,5).

V.31 The controversy with all nations will occur when Jesus returns to bring divine rule upon the earth (Rev 2:27).

25:11 In saying that they would be an ‘astonishment’ Jeremiah is returning yet again to the curses of Deut 27:27

13 v.12 - 'lay aside' is a powerful Biblical injunction. It is more than a casual putting aside. It is an active dissociation from evil. Isaiah 2:20 Ezekiel 18:31 Romans 13:12 Ephesians 4:22 Colossians 3:5,8 Hebrews 12:1 1 Peter 2:1 James 1:21 Once we have 'put off' we must replace that which has been left behind so we must 'put on' Galatians 3:27 Ephesians 4:24 6:11 Colossians 3:10,12,14

14 v.4 - Paul in Romans 14:4,10,13 Show us that a servant stands or falls before his own master. James picks up that exhortation James 4:11 to show us that evil words against our brother is the same as judging him and therefore should not be part of how we think.

14:10 -11 Whilst it is easy to fault our brethren and sisters, in day to day life, when we see them living in ways of which we do not approve we have to recognise that those brethren and sisters are God's, not our, servants. Notice also that despite what we might think of them 14:4 God is able make them stand.

1 John 5v4-5 tells us that it is our faith that overcomes the world, our faith that Jesus Christ who overcame the world, is the son of God. Paul in Romans has been reminding us that it is through the grace of God brought to us by Christ that we are saved, and not through works. If these things are true, then actually the only barrier to the kingdom for us is our own belief in Christ, or the lack of it. If we believe we are forgiven in Christ, then we will be forgiven.

It is in this context that Paul is writing in this chapter of Romans. In v14 he tells us that nothing is "unclean" anymore for those who are in Christ, yet if we have trouble in believing that, then it is better for us to abstain. If we abstain then we do not have to struggle with that lack of belief. The example he uses is the eating of meats offered to idols, which in the law of moses it was wrong to eat. The brother strong in faith can eat these without a problem, because he believes strongly enough that the law is now of non effect in Christ. Yet another brother, weaker in faith, may have slight doubts about it. If he were to eat of the meat then he would doubt whether he could be forgiven. In this case, it would be better for that brother to avoid eating the meat, because if he doubts then it is sin (v23). The advice of Paul to those who do have faith, is to eat the meat only when the weaker ones aren't there (v22), lest the weaker one is caused to doubt in the grace of Christ by seeing his brother eat (v21).

I find it wonderful that Jesus legislated so well for those who have a lack of faith. He showed that he would never condemn those who are weak. When Peter wavered in his faith and sunk in the sea, he immediately stretched out his hand and caught him. (Matt 14v31) In Hebrews 10v22-23 Paul sums this all up beautifully for us, and gives us the advice:

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)."

13:7  Keeping out of trouble, paying our taxes, and conducting ourselves honestly in the community in which we live, shows Christ to our neighbors (Matt 5:16).

14:1 etc. Being sensitive to the level of faith and understanding which our brethren possess is crucial to serving Christ.  We must not put forth preferences as principles.  We would go a long way in getting on with our brethren if we all agreed on one thing: Never to hit below the (spiritual) belt.  By the same token, no-one should wear his or her belt around the forehead. 

13:7 ‘Render … dues’ quotes Prov 3:27

13:1,2 Political leadership involves power and control. This is gained by any means possible. In countries without any checks and balances, control is often taken by force. In democratic countries, mudslinging and character assassination are the norm.  

A cynical public is often heard criticizing its leaders for their self-serving attitudes amid accusations of corruption. We should be careful not to be caught up with the swell of public emotion in this regard. Scripture reminds us that Yahweh is in control of all governments (Dan 4:17, 25; 5:21).

Therefore, in respecting Yahweh, we should respect our rulers and pray for them (2Tim 2:1,2).

13:11,12  We are much nearer the day of Jesus’ return than in Paul’s day.  There are signs in the political heavens that tell us He soon might be here. 

There are two things to consider in order to prevent our being lax.  First, not all prophecy has to be fulfilled before the return of Jesus.  He could be back to judge at any time. Second, regardless of how long Jesus is away, our life span is quite limited. We could die at any time.

14:13 Judging in the sense of condemnation (passing sentence) is not permitted under Jesus’ laws.  However, judging in the sense of discernment is encouraged (1Cor 10:13).