2 Samuel 22:7

Authorized King James Version

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In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.

Original Language Analysis

בַּצַּר In my distress H6862
בַּצַּר In my distress
Strong's: H6862
Word #: 1 of 12
a pebble (as in h6864)
לִי֙ H0
לִי֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 2 of 12
אֶקְרָ֑א I called H7121
אֶקְרָ֑א I called
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 3 of 12
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֔ה upon the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה upon the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאֶל H413
וְאֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 5 of 12
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֱלֹהַ֖י to my God H430
אֱלֹהַ֖י to my God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֶקְרָ֑א I called H7121
אֶקְרָ֑א I called
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 7 of 12
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע and he did hear H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע and he did hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 8 of 12
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מֵהֵֽיכָלוֹ֙ out of his temple H1964
מֵהֵֽיכָלוֹ֙ out of his temple
Strong's: H1964
Word #: 9 of 12
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
קוֹלִ֔י my voice H6963
קוֹלִ֔י my voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 10 of 12
a voice or sound
וְשַׁוְעָתִ֖י and my cry H7775
וְשַׁוְעָתִ֖י and my cry
Strong's: H7775
Word #: 11 of 12
a hallooing
בְּאָזְנָֽיו׃ did enter into his ears H241
בְּאָזְנָֽיו׃ did enter into his ears
Strong's: H241
Word #: 12 of 12
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

Analysis & Commentary

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.

This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Song, emphasizing praising God for deliverance. David's psalm of deliverance (parallel to Psalm 18) celebrates God's faithfulness throughout his tumultuous reign. The Hebrew poetry employs vivid imagery of divine intervention, warrior language, and covenant terminology. Theological themes include praising God for deliverance, reviewing God's faithfulness in retrospect, the righteousness of God's judgments, and anticipation of ultimate victory through God's anointed (messianic overtones).

Historical Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 22 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding praising God for deliverance provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

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