These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel:
Parallel translations
- WEB Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse says, the man who was raised on high says, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:
- KJV Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
- NKJV Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel:
- NASB Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse declares, The man who was raised on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob And the sweet psalmist of Israel, declares,
- NLT These are the last words of David: “David, the son of Jesse, speaks— David, the man who was raised up so high, David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
These are David's final inspired words, identifying him as the man God raised up, anointed, and made the sweet psalmist of Israel.
Overview
The chapter opens David's last testament, stressing that his exaltation came not from himself but from God who "raised him on high." By naming him "the anointed of the God of Jacob" and "the sweet psalmist," Scripture frames David as both king and prophet, whose songs prepared God's people to worship the One greater David, Jesus the Messiah.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 20
- 1 Sam 16:12–13So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”
- Ps 89:20I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.
- 2 Sam 7:8–9Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.
- Ps 78:70–71He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
- Col 3:16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
- Luke 24:44Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
- Ps 2:6“I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”
- Amos 6:5You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments.
- 1 Sam 2:10Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.”
- 2 Pet 1:13–15I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body,
- Eph 5:19–20Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,
- Ps 72:20Thus conclude the prayers of David son of Jesse.
- 1 Chr 16:4–5David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel.
- 1 Chr 16:7On that day David first committed to Asaph and his brothers this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:
- 1 Chr 16:9Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders.
- Deut 33:1This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death.
- Josh 23:1–16A long time after the LORD had given Israel rest from all the enemies around them, when Joshua was old and well along in years,
- Luke 20:42For David himself says in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand
- Gen 49:1Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come:
- Jas 5:13Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 23:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.