2 Samuel 22:33

The one true God ¹  is my mighty refuge; ²  he removes ³  the obstacles in my way. ⁴ 

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

"God is my strong fortress; And He sets the blameless in His way.

God is my strong fortress; he has made my way safe.

Is not this the God who armed me well, then aimed me in the right direction?

God puts a strong band about me, guiding me in a straight way.

The God who has girded me with strength has opened wide my path.

God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.

The one true God ¹  is my mighty refuge; ²  he removes ³  the obstacles in my way. ⁴ 

¹ tn Heb “the God.” See the note at v. 31.

² tc 4QSam^a has מְאַזְּרֵנִי (mÿ’azzÿreni, “the one girding me with strength”) rather than the MT מָעוּזִּי (ma’uzzi, “my refuge”). See as well Ps 18:32.

³ tn The prefixed verbal form with vav consecutive here carries along the generalizing tone of the preceding line.

⁴ tn Heb “and he sets free (from the verb נָתַר, natar) [the] blameless, his [Kethib; “my” (Qere)] way.” The translation follows Ps 18:32 in reading “he made my path smooth.” The term תָּמִים (tamim, “smooth”) usually carries a moral or ethical connotation, “blameless, innocent.” However, in Ps 18:33 it refers to a pathway free of obstacles. The reality underlying the metaphor is the psalmist’s ability to charge into battle without tripping (see vv. 33, 36).