2 Samuel 22:34

KJV

He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet]: and setteth me upon my high places.

KJV (with Strong's)

He maketh {H7737} my feet {H7272} like {H7737} hinds {H355}' feet: and setteth {H5975} me upon my high places {H1116}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He makes me swift and sure-footed as a deer and enables me to stand on my high places.

Berean Standard Bible

He makes my feet like those of a deer and stations me upon the heights.

American Standard Version

He maketh his feet like hinds’ feet, And setteth me upon my high places.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 22:34 is a profound declaration by King David, expressing his thanksgiving to God for divine deliverance and empowerment. As part of a larger psalm of praise, this verse vividly describes God's active role in equipping David with supernatural agility to navigate treacherous circumstances and elevating him to positions of security and triumph over his adversaries. It underscores David's unwavering conviction that his strength, success, and safety were entirely a gift from the Lord, not a product of his own abilities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within David's grand psalm of deliverance, which forms the entirety of [2 Samuel 22](/2_samuel/22 "2 Samuel 22 - David's Song of Deliverance"). This psalm is nearly identical to [Psalm 18](/psalm/18 "Psalm 18 - A Psalm of David's Deliverance"), indicating its profound significance as a personal testimony of God's faithfulness throughout David's tumultuous life. Positioned near the end of 2 Samuel, it serves as a retrospective summary of God's mighty acts on David's behalf, particularly in rescuing him from King Saul and all other enemies. The psalm is a climactic expression of David's reign, preceding his final words and the listing of his mighty men, effectively encapsulating his life's narrative as one marked by divine intervention and protection.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was characterized by constant warfare, persecution, and political intrigue, from his anointing as a youth to his long reign as king. He faced formidable foes like the Philistines, the rebellious King Saul, and even his own son Absalom. In this context, the imagery of "hinds' feet" and "high places" is particularly potent. Hinds (female deer) were known in the ancient Near East for their remarkable agility and surefootedness on rugged, mountainous terrain, essential for survival and escape. "High places" in this context refer to natural strongholds, elevated fortresses, or secure positions, often found in the mountainous regions of Judah, which provided refuge from enemies. The verse reflects a worldview where God is the ultimate warrior and protector, actively intervening in the lives of His chosen servants to grant them victory and security.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 2 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Empowerment and Deliverance**, where God is portrayed as the active agent who equips His servant for impossible tasks and delivers him from overwhelming odds. This highlights God's **Sovereignty and Faithfulness** to His covenant promises, particularly to David and his lineage. The imagery also speaks to **Security and Elevation**, demonstrating God's ability to lift His people above danger and establish them in positions of safety and authority, much like He promised to set Israel [on the high places of the earth](/deuteronomy/32-13 "Deuteronomy 32:13 - God's Provision for Israel"). Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Trust and Dependence**, as David consistently attributes his success not to his own prowess but to the Lord's enabling power, a lesson echoed throughout his reign, as seen in his early confrontation with Goliath, where he declared his trust in the Lord of hosts ([1 Samuel 17:45](/1_samuel/17-45 "1 Samuel 17:45 - David's Trust in God Against Goliath")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hinds' (Hebrew, _'ayyalot'_):** This term refers specifically to female deer, renowned for their incredible agility, surefootedness, and ability to navigate steep, rocky, and treacherous terrain with remarkable ease and grace. In this context, it symbolizes the supernatural swiftness, stability, and resilience that God imparts, enabling David to traverse dangerous paths and escape perilous situations without stumbling. It speaks to an almost supernatural nimbleness in the face of obstacles.
* **High Places (Hebrew, _bamot'_):** While often associated with idolatrous worship sites elsewhere in Scripture, in this poetic and military context, _bamot_ signifies elevated, inaccessible strongholds, secure fortresses, or positions of vantage. It represents places of safety, triumph, and strategic advantage, where one is lifted above the reach of enemies and established in a secure, elevated position. It speaks to God's act of setting David in a place of security and authority, beyond the grasp of his adversaries.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet]:"** This clause emphasizes God's active role as the source of David's unique capabilities. The verb "maketh" (Hebrew: יְשַׁוֶּה, _y'shavveh_) indicates divine enablement and transformation. It is not David's inherent agility, but God who supernaturally equips him with the swiftness, stability, and surefootedness of a hind. This imagery conveys the ability to move quickly and securely through difficult, dangerous, or otherwise impassable terrain, both literally in battle and metaphorically in life's challenges.
* **"and setteth me upon my high places."** This second clause describes the outcome of God's empowerment: elevation to security and triumph. The verb "setteth" (Hebrew: וַיַּעֲמִידֵנִי, _vayya'amidēni_) implies God's direct action in establishing David in a position of safety and authority. These "high places" are not merely physical locations but symbolize spiritual, emotional, and strategic security, where David is lifted above his enemies and established in a place of stability, vantage, and ultimate victory. It signifies divine preservation and exaltation.

#### Literary Devices
2 Samuel 22:34 is rich with **Imagery** and **Symbolism**, painting a vivid picture of divine assistance. The central **Simile**, "He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet]," directly compares David's divinely granted agility to the surefootedness of a deer, allowing the reader to visualize the swift and stable movement through treacherous terrain. This is complemented by the **Metaphor** of "high places," which symbolizes not just physical elevation but also positions of security, triumph, and authority, lifted above adversaries. The entire verse employs **Anthropomorphism** by attributing active verbs ("maketh," "setteth") to God, portraying Him as a personal, intervening agent in David's life. Furthermore, the two clauses exhibit **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second line reinforces and expands upon the idea presented in the first, both speaking to God's empowerment and the resulting security and elevation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the theological truth that God is the ultimate source of strength, agility, and security for His people. It underscores a fundamental principle of biblical faith: true victory and stability do not come from human might or skill, but from divine enablement and protection. God actively intervenes to equip His servants, not merely to survive, but to thrive and overcome in the face of overwhelming odds. This divine empowerment allows believers to navigate the "treacherous paths" of life with confidence, knowing that God will establish them in "high places" of peace and triumph, even amidst adversity.

* [Psalm 18:33](/psalm/18-33 "Psalm 18:33 - He makes my feet like hinds' feet")
* [Habakkuk 3:19](/habakkuk/3-19 "Habakkuk 3:19 - The Lord God is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's")
* [Deuteronomy 32:13](/deuteronomy/32-13 "Deuteronomy 32:13 - God made him ride on the high places of the earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Samuel 22:34 offers a powerful message of hope and encouragement. Life is often filled with "treacherous paths"—trials, temptations, periods of uncertainty, and spiritual warfare. Just as God supernaturally equipped David to navigate physical dangers and overcome formidable enemies, He promises to empower us to face our own challenges. This verse invites us to recognize that our ability to stand firm, to move forward with resilience, and to find security in a chaotic world does not depend on our inherent strength or cleverness, but on God's active presence and provision. He grants us spiritual "hinds' feet" – the discernment, agility, and endurance to walk faithfully – and sets us on "high places" – positions of spiritual peace, refuge, and victory in Christ, lifting us above the turmoil. Our call is to lean into His strength, trusting Him to make our way secure and to elevate us even when circumstances seem overwhelming.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "treacherous paths" or challenging circumstances are you currently facing that require God's "hinds' feet" agility?**
* **In what ways do you seek to rely on your own strength rather than God's empowerment in difficult situations?**
* **How does the promise of being set on "high places" offer you comfort and security in your current season of life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper dependence on God for your strength and stability?**

### FAQ

**Is this verse about literal physical agility, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: While David was undoubtedly a physically agile warrior, the verse is primarily symbolic. The imagery of "hinds' feet" speaks to a supernatural agility and surefootedness that God imparts, enabling one to navigate treacherous circumstances—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—without stumbling. It represents God's empowerment to move through life's challenges with stability and grace, transcending natural limitations. It's about divine enablement for overcoming obstacles, not just athletic prowess.

**What are "high places" in this context, and how do they differ from the "high places" of idolatry?**

Answer: In 2 Samuel 22:34, "high places" (Hebrew: _bamot_) refer to elevated, secure strongholds, places of safety, vantage points, or positions of triumph and authority. David, as a warrior king, would have sought refuge and strategic advantage in such natural fortresses. This usage is distinct from the "high places" mentioned elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., [1 Kings 14:23](/1_kings/14-23 "1 Kings 14:23 - Israel built high places for idolatry")), which were pagan worship sites where idolatrous rituals were performed. The context here is one of divine protection and elevation, not religious transgression.

**How does this verse apply to believers in modern times, who may not face literal battles or need to scale mountains?**

Answer: The principles of 2 Samuel 22:34 are profoundly relevant today. While we may not face literal physical battles like David, we encounter spiritual, emotional, and relational "treacherous paths." God still equips believers with "hinds' feet"—spiritual agility, discernment, resilience, and wisdom—to navigate life's complexities, temptations, and adversities. He also sets us on "high places"—positions of spiritual security, peace, and victory in Christ, lifting us above the anxieties and turmoil of the world. This verse encourages us to trust in God's power to enable us, protect us, and establish us firmly, regardless of our circumstances, as He promises to strengthen those who wait on Him ([Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 22:34 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, as king and deliverer, serves as a type of the greater King to come. Jesus, the perfect Son of David, perfectly embodied the "hinds' feet" agility in His earthly ministry, navigating the treacherous spiritual and political landscape of His time with divine wisdom and unwavering resolve, never stumbling in His obedience to the Father, even through intense opposition and suffering ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus was tempted in every way, yet without sin")). His journey to the "high places" culminated not in earthly strongholds, but in the ultimate triumph over sin and death through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The cross, initially a place of ignominy, became the "high place" of His ultimate victory, where He disarmed the powers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ triumphed over the powers")). God truly "set Him upon His high places" when He exalted Him to the right hand of the Father, far above all rule and authority ([Ephesians 1:20-21](/ephesians/1-20 "Ephesians 1:20-21 - God seated Christ at His right hand")). Through Christ, believers are now invited to share in this divine empowerment and security. We are given spiritual "hinds' feet" by the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walk in newness of life")), and we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms ([Ephesians 2:6](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated with Christ in the heavenly realms")), experiencing the "high places" of divine security and triumph in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 58:14

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].

Deuteronomy 32:13

He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

Habakkuk 3:19

The LORD God [is] my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' [feet], and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

2 Samuel 2:18

¶ And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel [was as] light of foot as a wild roe.

Isaiah 33:16

He shall dwell on high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure.

Deuteronomy 33:25

Thy shoes [shall be] iron and brass; and as thy days, [so shall] thy strength [be].