2 Samuel 22:1-51 GW

[1] David sang this song to the LORD when the LORD rescued him from all his enemies, especially from Saul. [2] He said, The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my Savior, [3] my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, the strength of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior who saved me from violence. [4] The LORD should be praised. I called on him, and I was saved from my enemies. [5] The waves of death had surrounded me. The torrents of destruction had overwhelmed me. [6] The ropes of the grave had surrounded me. The clutches of death had confronted me. [7] I called on the LORD in my distress. I called to my God for help. He heard my voice from his temple, and my cry for help reached his ears. [8] Then the earth shook and quaked. Even the foundations of the heavens trembled. They shook violently because he was angry. [9] Smoke went up from his nostrils, and a raging fire came out of his mouth. Glowing coals flared up from it. [10] He spread apart the heavens and came down with a dark cloud under his feet. [11] He rode on one of the angels as he flew, and he soared on the wings of the wind. [12] He surrounded himself with darkness. He made the dark rain clouds his covering. [13] Out of the brightness in front of him, he made lightning. [14] The LORD thundered from heaven. The Most High made his voice heard. [15] He shot arrows and scattered them. He flashed streaks of lightning and threw them into confusion. [16] Then the ocean floor could be seen. The foundations of the earth were laid bare at the LORD's stern warning, at the blast of the breath from his nostrils. [17] He reached down from high above and took hold of me. He pulled me out of the raging water. [18] He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, because they were too strong for me. [19] On the day when I faced disaster, they confronted me, but the LORD became my defense. [20] He brought me out to a wide-open place. He rescued me because he was pleased with me. [21] The LORD rewarded me because of my righteousness, because my hands are clean. He paid me back [22] because I have kept the ways of the LORD and I have not wickedly turned away from my God, [23] because all his judgments are in front of me and I have not turned away from his laws. [24] I was innocent as far as he was concerned. I have kept myself from guilt. [25] The LORD paid me back because of my righteousness, because he can see that I am clean. [26] In dealing with faithful people you are faithful, with innocent warriors you are innocent, [27] with pure people you are pure. In dealing with devious people you are clever. [28] You save humble people, but your eyes bring down arrogant people. [29] O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD turns my darkness into light. [30] With you I can attack a line of soldiers. With my God I can break through barricades. [31] God's way is perfect! The promise of the LORD has proven to be true. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him. [32] Who is God but the LORD? Who is a rock other than our God? [33] God arms me with strength. His perfect way sets me free. [34] He makes my feet like those of a deer and gives me sure footing on high places. [35] He trains my hands for battle so that my arms can bend an archer's bow of bronze. [36] You have given me the shield of your salvation. Your help makes me great. [37] You make a wide path for me to walk on so that my feet do not slip. [38] I chased my enemies and destroyed them. I did not return until I had ended their lives. [39] I ended their lives by shattering them. They were unable to get up. They fell under my feet. [40] You armed me with strength for battle. You made my opponents bow at my feet. [41] You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and I destroyed those who hated me. [42] They looked, but there was no one to save them. They looked to the LORD, but he did not answer them. [43] I beat them into a powder as fine as the dust on the ground. I crushed them and stomped on them like the dirt on the streets. [44] You rescued me from my conflicts with my people. You kept me as the leader of nations. A people I did not know will serve me. [45] Foreigners will cringe in front of me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me. [46] Foreigners will lose heart, although they are armed in their fortifications. [47] The LORD lives! Thanks be to my rock! May God, the rock of my salvation, be glorified. [48] God gives me vengeance! He brings people under my authority. [49] He frees me from my enemies. You lift me up above my opponents. You rescue me from violent people. [50] That is why I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the nations and make music to praise your name. [51] He gives great victories to his king. He shows mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his descendant forever.