2 Samuel 22:1-51 ERV

[1] David sang this song to the LORD when the LORD saved him from Saul and all his other enemies. [2] The LORD is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. [3] He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place, my place of safety, high in the hills. He is my savior, the one who rescues me from the cruel enemy. [4] I called to the LORD for help, and he saved me from my enemies. He is worthy of my praise! [5] Waves of death were crashing around me. A deadly flood was carrying me away. [6] The ropes of the grave wrapped around me. Death set its trap right there in front of me. [7] In my trouble I called to the LORD. Yes, I cried out to my God for help. There in his temple he heard my voice. He heard my cry for help. [8] The earth shook and shivered. The foundations of heaven trembled. They shook because he was angry! [9] Smoke came from his nose. Burning flames came from his mouth. Red-hot coals fell from him. [10] He tore open the sky and came down. He stood on a thick, dark cloud. [11] He flew across the sky, riding on a Cherub angel, gliding on the wings of the wind. [12] He wrapped himself in darkness that covered him like a tent. He was hidden by dark clouds filled with water. [13] Out of the brightness before him, flashes of lightning came down. [14] The LORD thundered from the sky. God Most High let his voice be heard. [15] He scattered the enemy with his arrows- the lightning bolts that threw them into confusion. [16] The LORD shouted his command, and a powerful wind began to blow. Then the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the earth's foundations were uncovered. [17] The Lord reached down from above and grabbed me. He pulled me from the deep water. [18] He saved me from my powerful enemies, who hated me. They were too strong for me, so he saved me. [19] They attacked me in my time of trouble, but the LORD was there to support me. [20] He was pleased with me, so he rescued me. He took me to a safe place. [21] The LORD rewarded me for doing what is right. He was good to me because I am innocent. [22] The LORD did this because I have obeyed him. I have not turned against my God. [23] I always remembered his laws. I never stopped following his rules. [24] He knows I did nothing that was wrong. I have kept myself from sinning. [25] So the LORD rewarded me for doing what is right. He could see that I am innocent. [26] Lord, you are faithful to those who are faithful. You are good to those who are good. [27] You never do wrong to those who have done no wrong. But you outsmart the wicked, no matter how clever they are. [28] You help those who are humble, but as soon as you see the proud, you humiliate them. [29] LORD, you are my lamp. You, LORD, turn the darkness around me into light. [30] With your help I can defeat an army. If my God is with me, I can climb over enemy walls. [31] God's way is perfect. The LORD's promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in him. [32] There is no God except the LORD. There is no Rock except our God. [33] God is my strong fortress. He clears the path I need to take. [34] He makes my feet as steady as those of a deer. Even on steep mountains he keeps me from falling. [35] He trains me for war so that my arms can bend the most powerful bow. [36] Lord, you have given me your shield to protect me. It is your help that has made me great. [37] You cleared a path for my feet so that I could walk without stumbling. [38] I chased my enemies and defeated them. I did not stop until they were destroyed. [39] I destroyed my enemies. I struck them down. They did not get up again. They fell under my feet. [40] Lord, you made me strong in battle. You made my enemies fall before me. [41] You made my enemies turn and run away. I destroyed those who hated me. [42] They looked for help, but there was no one to save them. They cried out to the LORD, but he did not answer them. [43] I beat my enemies to pieces like dust on the ground. I smashed them and walked on them like mud in the streets. [44] You saved me from those who fought against me. You made me the ruler over nations. People I never knew now serve me. [45] Foreigners fall helpless before me! As soon as they heard about me, they were ready to obey. [46] They lose all their courage and come out of their hiding places shaking with fear. [47] The LORD lives! I praise my Rock! How great is my God, the Rock who saves me! [48] He is the God who punishes my enemies for me, the one who puts people under my rule. [49] He saves me from my enemies! You help me defeat those who attack me. You save me from cruel people. [50] LORD, that is why I praise you among the nations. That is why I sing songs of praise to your name. [51] You help your king win battle after battle. You show your faithful love to your chosen one, to David and his descendants forever!