II Samuel 22:1-51.
This week's haftorah describes the song King David composed in his
old age, echoing the weekly Torah reading, where Moses delivers his parting words
to the Jewish nation in song form.
David's song expresses gratitude to G‑d for saving him from all his enemies.
He starts with the famous words, "The L-rd is my rock and my fortress." He goes on to describe the pain and hardships he encountered and reiterates that he
always turned to G‑d in his moments of distress. He recounts G-d's
reaction to those who tormented him: "The Lord thundered from heaven; and the Most
High gave forth His voice. And
He sent out arrows and He scattered them,
lightning and He discomfited them.
. . I have pursued my enemies and have destroyed them; never turning back until
they were consumed."
The King attributes his salvation to his uprightness in following G‑d's ways:
"The Lord rewarded me according to my
righteousness; according to the cleanness of
my hands He recompensed me..."
The song ends with David's expression of thankfulness: "Therefore I will give
thanks to You, O Lord, among the nations, and to Your name I will sing praises.
He gives great salvation to His king, and He performs kindness to His anointed;
to David and to his seed, forevermore."
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