Psalm 18

Psalm 18:1-50 ESV
I love you, O LORD, my strength. [2] The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. [3] I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. [4] The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; [5] the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. [6] In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. [7] Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. [8] Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. [9] He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. [10] He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. [11] He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. [12] Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. [13] The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. [14] And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. [15] Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. [16] He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. [17] He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. [18] They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. [19] He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. [20] The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. [21] For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. [22] For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. [23] I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. [24] So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. [25] With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; [26] with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. [27] For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. [28] For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. [29] For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. [30] This God-his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. [31] For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?- [32] the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. [33] He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. [34] He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. [35] You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. [36] You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. [37] I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. [38] I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet. [39] For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. [40] You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed. [41] They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them. [42] I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets. [43] You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. [44] As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. [45] Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses. [46] The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation- [47] the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, [48] who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence. [49] For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name. [50] Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.