Psalm 1839
For the music director; by the LORD’s servant David, who sang40
to the LORD the words of this song when41
the LORD rescued him from the power42
of all his enemies, including Saul43
18:1 He said:
“I love1
you, LORD, my source of strength!2
18:2 The LORD is my high ridge,3
my stronghold,4
my deliverer.
My God is my rocky summit where5
I take shelter,6
my shield, the horn that saves me,7
and my refuge.8
18:3 I called9
to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,10
and I was delivered from my enemies.
18:4 The waves11
of death engulfed me,
the currents12
of chaos13
overwhelmed me.14
18:5 The ropes of Sheol tightened around me,15
the snares of death trapped me.16
18:6 In my distress I called to the LORD,
I cried out to my God.17
From his heavenly temple18
he heard my voice,
he listened to my cry for help.19
18:7 The earth heaved and shook,20
the roots of the mountains21
trembled,22
they heaved because he was angry.
18:8 Smoke ascended from23
his nose,24
fire devoured as it came from his mouth,25
he hurled down fiery coals.26
18:9 He made the sky sink27
as he descended,
a thick cloud was under his feet.
18:10 He mounted28
a winged angel29
and flew,
he glided30
on the wings of the wind.31
18:11 He shrouded himself in darkness,32
in thick rain clouds.33
18:12 From the brightness in front of him came
hail and fiery coals.34
18:13 The LORD thundered in35
the sky,
the Sovereign One36
shouted.37
18:14 He shot his38
arrows and scattered them,39
many lightning bolts40
and routed them.41
18:15 The depths42
of the sea43
were exposed,
the inner regions44
of the world were uncovered,
by45
your battle cry,46
LORD,
by the powerful breath from your nose.47
18:16 He reached down48
from above and grabbed me,
he pulled me from the surging water.49
18:17 He rescued me from my strong enemy,50
from those who hate me,
for they were too strong for me.
18:18 They confronted51
me in my day of calamity,
but the LORD helped me.52
18:19 He brought me out into a wide open place,
he delivered me because he was pleased with me.53
18:20 The LORD repaid54
me for my godly deeds,55
he rewarded56
my blameless behavior.57
18:21 For I have obeyed the LORD’s commands,58
I have not rebelled against my God.59
18:22 For I am aware of all his regulations,60
and I do not reject his rules.61
18:23 I was innocent before him,
and kept myself from sinning.62
18:24 The LORD rewarded me for my godly deeds,63
he took notice of my blameless behavior.64
18:25 You prove to be loyal65
to one who is faithful,66
you prove to be trustworthy67
to one who is innocent,68
18:26 you prove to be reliable69
to one who is blameless,
but you prove to be deceptive70
to one who is perverse.71
18:27 For you deliver oppressed72
people,
but you bring down those who have a proud look.73
18:28 Indeed,74
you are my lamp, LORD.75
My God76
illuminates the darkness around me.77
18:29 Indeed,78
with your help79
I can charge against80
an army,81
by my God’s power82
I can jump over a wall.83
18:30 The one true God acts in a faithful manner,84
the LORD’s promise is reliable;85
he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.86
18:31 Indeed,87
who is God besides the LORD?
Who is a protector88
besides our God?89
18:32 The one true God90
gives91
me strength,92
he removes93
the obstacles in my way.94
18:33 He gives me the agility of a deer,95
he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.96
18:34 He trains my hands for battle,97
my arms can bend even the strongest bow.98
18:35 You give me your protective shield,99
your right hand supports me,100
your willingness to help101
enables me to prevail.102
18:36 You widen my path,103
my feet104
do not slip.
18:37 I chase my enemies and catch105
them,
I do not turn back until I wipe them out.
18:38 I beat them106
to death,107
they fall at my feet.108
18:39 You give me strength109
for battle,
you make my foes kneel before me.110
18:40 You make my enemies retreat,111
I destroy those who hate me.112
18:41 They cry out, but there is no one to help
them,113
they cry out to the LORD,114
but he does not answer them.
18:42 I grind them as fine windblown dust,115
I beat them underfoot116
like clay117
in the streets.
18:43 You rescue me from a hostile army;118
you make me119
a leader of nations,
people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects,120
18:44 When they hear of my exploits, they submit
to me.121
Foreigners are powerless122
before me,
18:45 foreigners lose their courage;123
they shake with fear124
as they leave125
their strongholds.126
18:46 The LORD is alive!127
My protector128
is praiseworthy!129
The God who delivers me130
is exalted as king!131
18:47 The one true God132
completely vindicates me,133
he makes nations submit to me.134
18:48 He delivers me135
from my enemies;
you snatch me away136
from those who attack me,137
you rescue me from violent men.
18:49 So I will give you thanks before the nations,
O LORD!138
I will sing praises to you!139
18:50 He140
gives his chosen king magnificent victories,141
he is faithful142
to his chosen ruler,143
to David and his offspring forever.”144