2 Samuel 22:28
New International Version
You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.

New Living Translation
You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.

English Standard Version
You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

Berean Standard Bible
You save an afflicted people, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

King James Bible
And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.

New King James Version
You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.

New American Standard Bible
“And You save an afflicted people; But Your eyes are on the haughty whom You humiliate.

NASB 1995
“And You save an afflicted people; But Your eyes are on the haughty whom You abase.

NASB 1977
“And Thou dost save an afflicted people; But Thine eyes are on the haughty whom Thou dost abase.

Legacy Standard Bible
And You save an afflicted people; But Your eyes are on the haughty whom You bring down.

Amplified Bible
“And You save the afflicted people; But Your eyes are on the haughty whom You abase (humiliate).

Christian Standard Bible
You rescue an oppressed people, but your eyes are set against the proud — you humble them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You rescue an afflicted people, but Your eyes are set against the proud— You humble them.

American Standard Version
And the afflicted people thou wilt save; But thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.

Contemporary English Version
You rescue the humble, but you look for ways to put down the proud.

English Revised Version
And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You save humble people, but your eyes bring down arrogant people.

Good News Translation
You save those who are humble, but you humble those who are proud.

International Standard Version
You save the nation who is humble but your eyes watch the proud, to bring them down.

Majority Standard Bible
You save an afflicted people, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

NET Bible
You deliver oppressed people, but you watch the proud and bring them down.

New Heart English Bible
You will save the afflicted people, But your eyes are on the proud, that you may bring them down.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thy eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.

World English Bible
You will save the afflicted people, but your eyes are on the arrogant, that you may bring them down.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And You save the poor people, "" But Your eyes on the high cause [them] to fall.

Young's Literal Translation
And the poor people Thou dost save, And Thine eyes on the high causest to fall.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the people of affliction thou wilt save: And thine eyes upon the lifted up, thou wilt humble.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the poor people thou wilt save: and with thy eyes thou wilt humble the haughty.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you will bring to salvation the poor people, and you will humble the exalted with your eyes.

New American Bible
Humble people you save, though on the haughty your eyes look down.

New Revised Standard Version
You deliver a humble people, but your eyes are upon the haughty to bring them down.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For thou wilt save the afflicted people; and the proud ones thou wilt bring down.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For you shall save the poor people and the lofty eyes you shall bring low
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the afflicted people Thou dost save; But Thine eyes are upon the haughty, that Thou mayest humble them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou wilt save the poor people, and wilt bring down the eyes of the haughty.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Song of Deliverance
27to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd. 28 You save an afflicted people, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. 29For You, O LORD, are my lamp; the LORD lights up my darkness.…

Cross References
Psalm 18:27
For You save an afflicted people, but You humble those with haughty eyes.

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 3:34
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 1:52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah 66:2
Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

Psalm 138:6
Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.

Proverbs 16:19
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Job 5:11
He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety.

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Psalm 147:6
The LORD sustains the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground.

Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.


Treasury of Scripture

And the afflicted people you will save: but your eyes are on the haughty, that you may bring them down.

afflicted

Exodus 3:7,8
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; …

Psalm 12:5
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

Psalm 72:12,13
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper…

but thine

Exodus 9:14-17
For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth…

Exodus 10:3
And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

Exodus 18:11
Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

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2 Samuel 22
1. David's psalm of thanksgiving for God's deliverance and blessings














You save an afflicted people
This phrase highlights God's compassion and deliverance for those who are suffering or oppressed. Throughout the Bible, God consistently shows His concern for the marginalized and downtrodden. In the context of 2 Samuel, David is reflecting on how God has delivered him from his enemies and personal trials. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God is seen as a savior and protector of the humble and needy, as seen in Psalms 34:18, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." The term "afflicted" can refer to those who are poor, oppressed, or in distress, emphasizing God's role as a just and merciful deliverer.

but Your eyes are on the haughty
This part of the verse underscores God's awareness and judgment of the proud. In biblical literature, pride is often depicted as a sin that leads to downfall, as seen in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." The "eyes" of God symbolize His omniscience and ability to see the true nature of human hearts. This phrase serves as a warning against arrogance and self-reliance, which are contrary to the humility that God desires. The haughty are those who elevate themselves above others and often reject God's authority, which ultimately leads to their judgment.

to bring them down
This final phrase indicates the inevitable consequence of pride: humiliation and downfall. It reflects the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, as stated in James 4:6. The imagery of being "brought down" is consistent with the fate of many biblical figures who exhibited pride, such as Pharaoh in Exodus or King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereign power to humble those who exalt themselves, reinforcing the theme of divine justice and the reversal of human expectations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of this song of praise, David is reflecting on God's deliverance and faithfulness throughout his life, particularly in times of distress and opposition.

2. God
The central figure in this passage, God is depicted as a savior of the humble and afflicted, and as one who opposes the proud.

3. The Afflicted People
Represents those who are humble, oppressed, or in distress, whom God promises to save.

4. The Haughty
Refers to those who are proud and arrogant, whom God promises to bring down.

5. Israel
The nation over which David ruled, often experiencing cycles of humility and pride, and thus a recipient of both God's deliverance and discipline.
Teaching Points
God's Favor on the Humble
God consistently shows favor and deliverance to those who are humble and afflicted. This should encourage believers to maintain a posture of humility, trusting in God's salvation.

The Danger of Pride
Pride is a serious spiritual danger that leads to downfall. Believers are warned to guard against arrogance and self-reliance, recognizing that God actively opposes the proud.

God's Justice and Sovereignty
God's actions towards the humble and the proud demonstrate His justice and sovereignty. Believers can trust that God sees and acts justly in all circumstances.

Reflection of God's Character
As followers of Christ, believers are called to reflect God's character by showing compassion to the afflicted and maintaining humility in their own lives.

Dependence on God
In times of affliction, believers are encouraged to depend on God for deliverance, knowing that He is attentive to their needs and will act in His perfect timing.(28) Thine eyes are upon the haughty.--More briefly, but in more common form, the psalm, "wilt bring down high looks."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You save
תּוֹשִׁ֑יעַ (tō·wō·šî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

an afflicted
עָנִ֖י (‘ā·nî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble

people,
עַ֥ם (‘am)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

but Your eyes
וְעֵינֶ֖יךָ (wə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

are on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the haughty
רָמִ֥ים (rā·mîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

to bring [them] down.
תַּשְׁפִּֽיל׃ (taš·pîl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8213: To be or become low, to be abased


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OT History: 2 Samuel 22:28 You will save the afflicted people (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 22:27
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