Psalm 18:1-50 ERV

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