As I read 2Samuel 22 I can’t help but think, at first, that David seems pretty self-centered. If I’m counting right, in my ESV bible, the word “my” or “me” is used upwards of 75 times in these 51 verses. But even though David’s “song” is centered around himself, it’s really not about him . . . even though he’s in the middle of it all, the glory goes to Another. If I were to summarize this chapter, I’d take a verse from another Psalm — “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” or, as the NLT puts it, “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me” (Ps. 103:2). Even though it centers on “me” it’s all about giving praise to “He.” In particular what stood out as I read this song of David was his “my, my, my” focus . . .

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my Savior; . . . . But the LORD was my support. . . . For You are my lamp, O LORD . . . This God is my strong refuge . . . The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock, and exalted by my God, the Rock of my salvation!

                                                                       (2Samuel 22:2-3, 19, 29, 33, 47 ESV)

Check out that list again! My, My, My! We taught our kids when they were small not to say “mine” all the time . . . chuck that out the window . . . when it comes to the God who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us . . . when it concerns the God who has promised to give us strength to do all things . . . this One who is mighty to save . . . and mighty to sustain . . . and mighty to deliver . . . and mighty to do all that He has promised . . when it comes to Him, bless the Lord for My, My, My!

For David, he had known the “best of times and the worst of times.” Anointed king . . . yet, exiled to caves as others sought his life . . . slayer of the giant, victor over his “tens of thousands” . . . yet, victim to lust and defeated by one beautiful woman on a balcony. Righteous at times . . . yet, wretched at others . . . composing songs of victory and praise . . . yet, writing dirges from a spirit crushed by the wages of sin. He had been there, done that . . . . . . knowing the heights of victory and the agony of defeat. Yet in it all . . . one great constant . . . my God . . . my Rock . . . my Deliverer . . . my Shield . . . my Refuge . . . my Support . . . my Lamp . . . my Savior! . . . my Rock! . . . my Salvation! Oh, blessed be my God!

I’m no David . . . my story is no David story . . . but David’s God is my God . . . His Savior is My Savior . . . the same yesterday, today, and forever. And it seems to me, that I’d do well from time to time to reflect on His works on my behalf . . . and to own Him afresh as My, My, My. Not that I’d be consumed with how blessed I’ve been, but how great my God is. Not that I’d think that I’m something deserving of such favor, but that I’d be reminded of His grace and faithfulness and might. Not that I’d become self-righteous, but that He would become all-in-all receiving blessing, honor, glory, and praise.

How amazing is it that the God of Creation would be “my” anything? Answer: Pretty!!!!

He is My, My, My . . . oh, the wonder of my Salvation . . . oh, the blessing of knowing my Rock . . . oh, the comfort of leaning on my Support . . . oh, the confidence in following the way shown by my Lamp.

Let the recollection of God’s mighty works on my behalf produce a fresh sense of awe and of appreciation . . . and then will I cry out, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

. . . amen!