Psalm 18

For the music director; by the Lord’s servant David, who sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul.

1He said:

“I love you, Lord, my source of strength!

2The Lord is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer.

My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter,

my shield, the horn that saves me, and my refuge.

3I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,

and I was delivered from my enemies.

4The waves of death engulfed me,

the currents of chaos overwhelmed me.

5The ropes of Sheol tightened around me,

the snares of death trapped me.

6In my distress I called to the Lord;

I cried out to my God.

From his heavenly temple he heard my voice;

he listened to my cry for help.

7The earth heaved and shook;

the roots of the mountains trembled;

they heaved because he was angry.

8Smoke ascended from his nose;

fire devoured as it came from his mouth;

he hurled down fiery coals.

9He made the sky sink as he descended;

a thick cloud was under his feet.

10He mounted a winged angel and flew;

he glided on the wings of the wind.

11He shrouded himself in darkness,

in thick rain clouds.

12From the brightness in front of him came

hail and fiery coals.

13The Lord thundered in the sky;

the sovereign One shouted.

14He shot his arrows and scattered them,

many lightning bolts and routed them.

15The depths of the sea were exposed;

the inner regions of the world were uncovered

by your battle cry, Lord,

by the powerful breath from your nose.

16He reached down from above and took hold of me;

he pulled me from the surging water.

17He rescued me from my strong enemy,

from those who hate me,

for they were too strong for me.

18They confronted me in my day of calamity,

but the Lord helped me.

19He brought me out into a wide open place;

he delivered me because he was pleased with me.

20The Lord repaid me for my godly deeds;

he rewarded my blameless behavior.

21For I have obeyed the Lord’s commands;

I have not rebelled against my God.

22For I am aware of all his regulations,

and I do not reject his rules.

23I was innocent before him,

and kept myself from sinning.

24The Lord rewarded me for my godly deeds;

he took notice of my blameless behavior.

25You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful;

you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent.

26You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless,

but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse.

27For you deliver oppressed people,

but you bring down those who have a proud look.

28Indeed, you are my lamp, Lord.

My God illuminates the darkness around me.

29Indeed, with your help I can charge against an army;

by my God’s power I can jump over a wall.

30The one true God acts in a faithful manner;

the Lord’s promise is reliable;

he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.

31Indeed, who is God besides the Lord?

Who is a protector besides our God?

32The one true God gives me strength;

he removes the obstacles in my way.

33He gives me the agility of a deer;

he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.

34He trains my hands for battle;

my arms can bend even the strongest bow.

35You give me your protective shield;

your right hand supports me;

your willingness to help enables me to prevail.

36You widen my path;

my feet do not slip.

37I chase my enemies and catch them;

I do not turn back until I wipe them out.

38I beat them to death;

they fall at my feet.

39You give me strength for battle;

you make my foes kneel before me.

40You make my enemies retreat;

I destroy those who hate me.

41They cry out, but there is no one to help them;

they cry out to the Lord, but he does not answer them.

42I grind them as fine windblown dust;

I beat them underfoot like clay in the streets.

43You rescue me from a hostile army;

you make me a leader of nations;

people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects.

44When they hear of my exploits, they submit to me.

Foreigners are powerless before me;

45foreigners lose their courage;

they shake with fear as they leave their strongholds.

46The Lord is alive!

My protector is praiseworthy!

The God who delivers me is exalted as king!

47The one true God completely vindicates me;

he makes nations submit to me.

48He delivers me from my enemies;

you snatch me away from those who attack me;

you rescue me from violent men.

49So I will give you thanks before the nations, O Lord!

I will sing praises to you!

50He gives his chosen king magnificent victories;

he is faithful to his chosen ruler,

to David and his descendants forever.”