2 Samuel 22:49

KJV

And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

KJV (with Strong's)

And that bringeth me forth {H3318} from mine enemies {H341}: thou also hast lifted me up on high {H7311} above them that rose up {H6965} against me: thou hast delivered {H5337} me from the violent {H2555} man {H376}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He brings me out from my enemies. You raise me over those who rebel against me, you rescue me from violent men.

Berean Standard Bible

who frees me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.

American Standard Version

And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: Yea, thou liftest me up above them that rise up against me; Thou deliverest me from the violent man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 22:49 is a powerful declaration from King David's psalm of thanksgiving, almost identical to Psalm 18, celebrating God's comprehensive deliverance. It encapsulates David's lifelong experience of divine intervention, where God consistently rescued him from numerous adversaries, elevated him above his foes, and protected him from those who sought his harm through violence and oppression. This verse stands as a testament to God's active sovereignty and faithfulness in the life of His chosen servant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within David's grand song of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, recorded in its entirety in 2 Samuel 22:1-51. This psalm is explicitly introduced as David's song "in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul" ([2 Samuel 22:1](/2_samuel/22-1 "2 Samuel 22:1 - Introduction to David's Song")). Verse 49 serves as a climactic summary of God's active intervention, following detailed descriptions of God's mighty acts on David's behalf (e.g., God's thunderous intervention in [2 Samuel 22:8-16](/2_samuel/22-8 "2 Samuel 22:8-16 - God's Theophany and Deliverance")). It precedes David's concluding affirmations of God's righteous ways and eternal covenant faithfulness ([2 Samuel 22:50-51](/2_samuel/22-50 "2 Samuel 22:50-51 - David's Concluding Praise")). The verse's position emphasizes the culmination of God's saving work throughout David's tumultuous life.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's reign was characterized by constant warfare and political intrigue. From his early days as a fugitive fleeing King Saul's relentless pursuit ([1 Samuel 23:25](/1_samuel/23-25 "1 Samuel 23:25 - Saul Pursues David in the Wilderness")) to his numerous battles against foreign nations like the Philistines, Ammonites, and Syrians ([2 Samuel 8:1-14](/2_samuel/8-1 "2 Samuel 8:1-14 - David's Victories Over Nations")), and even internal rebellions (e.g., Absalom's revolt in [2 Samuel 15:1-12](/2_samuel/15-1 "2 Samuel 15:1-12 - Absalom's Rebellion Begins")), David faced a myriad of powerful adversaries. The cultural context of ancient Near Eastern kingship often involved attributing military victories and political stability directly to the favor and intervention of the national deity. David's song, therefore, aligns with this understanding, but uniquely attributes all his success and survival to Yahweh, the one true God, emphasizing His personal relationship with His anointed king.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative.
* **Divine Deliverance and Salvation:** The most prominent theme is God's active and comprehensive role in rescuing His servant from overwhelming opposition. This echoes the foundational narrative of [God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing") and His ongoing commitment to save His people from their oppressors, as seen throughout the book of Judges and into the monarchy.
* **Exaltation of the Righteous:** The phrase "lifted me up on high" underscores God's power not only to save but also to elevate His faithful ones to positions of security, prominence, and triumph over their adversaries. This theme is central to the biblical understanding of divine justice, where God often [exalts the humble and brings down the proud](/luke/1-52 "Luke 1:52 - Mary's Magnificat on God's Reversal").
* **God's Opposition to Violence and Injustice:** The mention of being delivered from the "violent man" highlights God's character as a protector of the innocent and an opponent of those who use force and malice unjustly. This resonates with the prophetic calls for justice and righteousness found throughout the Old Testament, such as [Isaiah 1:17](/isaiah/1-17 "Isaiah 1:17 - Seek Justice") and [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down Like a River").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bringeth forth (Hebrew, _yotzi'_):** From the verb יָצָא (yatsa'), meaning "to go out, come forth." In this context, it signifies God's active, powerful act of extricating David from a place of confinement, danger, or entrapment by his enemies. It implies a divine leading out, a liberation that is not merely an escape but a purposeful rescue.
* **Lifted me up on high (Hebrew, _tarimeni l'marom'_):** This phrase combines the verb רוּם (rum), "to be high, exalted, lifted up," with the noun מָרוֹם (marom), "height, high place." It conveys more than mere rescue; it speaks of divine vindication and establishment. God not only saved David but placed him in a position of security, superiority, and ultimate triumph over those who sought to bring him low. It is an image of elevation and victory.
* **Violent man (Hebrew, _ish hamas'_):** This compound term combines אִישׁ (ish), "man," with חָמָס (hamas), "violence, wrong, injustice, cruelty." It describes an individual (or group) characterized by oppressive, destructive, and unlawful force. The use of *hamas* emphasizes the moral depravity and unjust aggression of David's adversaries, making God's deliverance from such a foe all the more significant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies:"** This opening clause establishes God as the active agent of deliverance. David acknowledges that his escape and survival were not due to his own strength or cunning, but to God's direct intervention. It speaks to God's power to extract His servant from the clutches of overwhelming opposition, whether literal armies or conspiring individuals.
* **"thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me:"** This expands on the idea of deliverance, adding the dimension of exaltation and victory. God did not just save David *from* his enemies; He also placed him *above* them. This signifies a position of security, prominence, and ultimate triumph, implying divine vindication and the establishment of David's authority and reign despite all opposition.
* **"thou hast delivered me from the violent man."** This final clause specifies the nature of the threat. The "violent man" represents a particular type of adversary—one characterized by injustice, cruelty, and destructive intent. This could refer to King Saul, who relentlessly pursued David, or other oppressive foes throughout his life. It underscores God's precise and personal protection against malicious and wrongful aggression.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to enhance its impact and convey David's profound gratitude. **Parallelism** is prominent, particularly **synonymous parallelism**, where the latter clauses reiterate and amplify the meaning of the first. "Bringeth me forth from mine enemies" is echoed and intensified by "lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me" and further specified by "delivered me from the violent man," creating a cumulative effect that emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's deliverance. The phrase "lifted me up on high" functions as a powerful **metaphor** for divine vindication and exaltation, transforming a physical act into a spiritual and political reality of triumph and security. The "violent man" can also be seen as a form of **synecdoche**, where a singular figure represents the broader category of oppressive and unjust adversaries David faced. The overall tone is one of **exultation** and **confession**, as David publicly declares God's mighty acts on his behalf.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 22:49 powerfully articulates God's consistent character as the Deliverer and Exalter of His people. This theme is woven throughout the biblical narrative, from the Exodus, where God brought Israel forth from slavery, to the prophetic promises of future salvation. God is not a passive observer but an active, sovereign agent who intervenes in human history to rescue, vindicate, and establish those who trust in Him. David's personal testimony here becomes a universal truth about God's faithfulness to His covenant and His unwavering commitment to protect His chosen ones from all forms of opposition and injustice. This divine pattern of deliverance and exaltation foreshadows the ultimate salvation provided through Christ.

* [Psalm 3:3](/psalm/3-3 "Psalm 3:3 - God is My Shield and Glory")
* [Psalm 91:14](/psalm/91-14 "Psalm 91:14 - God Delivers Those Who Love Him")
* [Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors Through Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Samuel 22:49 offers profound encouragement and a blueprint for faith in the face of adversity. It reminds us that our struggles, whether external pressures, spiritual warfare, or internal battles, are not fought alone. God is our ultimate deliverer and protector, capable of rescuing us from any "enemy" that rises against us. Just as He lifted David above his adversaries, He can elevate us to a place of peace, victory, and spiritual triumph, even amidst ongoing challenges. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereign power, knowing that He is faithful not only to save us from our difficulties but also to vindicate us and grant us true security. It encourages us to shift our focus from the magnitude of our problems to the infinite power of our God, who brings forth, lifts up, and delivers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently need God to "bring you forth" from your enemies or overwhelming challenges?**
* **How does David's testimony of God's exaltation encourage you when you feel overwhelmed, defeated, or unjustly treated?**
* **Who or what might represent the "violent man" in your life today, and how can you actively trust God for deliverance and protection in those specific situations?**

### FAQ
**Is this psalm unique to 2 Samuel, or is it found elsewhere?**

Answer: This psalm is almost identical to [Psalm 18](/psalm/18 "Psalm 18 - David's Song of Deliverance"), with only minor textual variations. Its inclusion in both 2 Samuel and the Psalter underscores its profound significance as a foundational testimony to God's faithfulness and David's personal walk with the Lord. In 2 Samuel, it serves as a historical account of David's life and a capstone to his reign, while in the Psalter, it functions as a liturgical hymn for corporate worship and personal devotion, emphasizing its timeless spiritual truths.

**Who is the "violent man" David refers to?**

Answer: While the text doesn't name a single specific individual, the "violent man" (Hebrew: *ish hamas*) likely refers primarily to King Saul, who relentlessly pursued David's life for many years with malicious intent (e.g., [1 Samuel 19:9-10](/1_amuel/19-9 "1 Samuel 19:9-10 - Saul's Attempt to Kill David")). However, it can also encompass any of David's numerous powerful and oppressive adversaries throughout his reign, including foreign kings or rebellious factions within Israel. The term emphasizes the unjust, cruel, and destructive nature of their opposition, highlighting God's deliverance from such morally corrupt forces.

**How does God "lift up on high" His people today?**

Answer: God "lifts up on high" His people today not necessarily through physical elevation or earthly power, but through spiritual exaltation and vindication. This can manifest as granting inner peace and resilience amidst trials, providing wisdom to overcome challenges, establishing a testimony of His faithfulness in our lives, or ultimately, raising believers to eternal life and glory in Christ (e.g., [Ephesians 2:6](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places")). It signifies His sovereign power to place His children in a secure and triumphant position, regardless of earthly circumstances, demonstrating His ultimate control and care.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's experience in 2 Samuel 22:49, where God delivers him from enemies and lifts him on high, serves as a profound foreshadowing and type of the ultimate deliverance and exaltation found in Jesus Christ. David, as God's anointed king, experienced God's saving power in a temporal and earthly sense, but Christ fully embodies and fulfills this promise in a cosmic and eternal way. Jesus was truly "brought forth from His enemies" not only through His resurrection from the grave, decisively triumphing over sin and death ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Resurrection and Lordship")), but also through His ascension, where God "lifted Him up on high" to the highest place of authority and honor at His right hand ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). He is the one truly "delivered from the violent man"—Satan, the ultimate oppressor and source of all violence and injustice, whose power was decisively broken at the cross and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Thus, David's song of personal triumph becomes a prophetic anthem for the universal victory of God's Son, through whom all believers are also delivered from the power of darkness and lifted up to new life and spiritual triumph ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness into Light")).

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

Psalms 140:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

Psalms 18:48

He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

Numbers 24:17

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Numbers 24:19

Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

Numbers 24:7

He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed [shall be] in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

Psalms 140:4

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

1 Samuel 2:8

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.