Psalm 18:1-50 NET

[1] He said: "I love you, LORD, my source of strength! [2] The LORD is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer. My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter, my shield, the horn that saves me, and my refuge. [3] I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I was delivered from my enemies. [4] The waves of death engulfed me, the currents of chaos overwhelmed me. [5] The ropes of Sheol tightened around me, the snares of death trapped me. [6] In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried out to my God. From his heavenly temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help. [7] The earth heaved and shook. The roots of the mountains trembled; they heaved because he was angry. [8] Smoke ascended from his nose; fire devoured as it came from his mouth. He hurled down fiery coals. [9] He made the sky sink as he descended; a thick cloud was under his feet. [10] He mounted a winged angel and flew; he glided on the wings of the wind. [11] He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds. [12] From the brightness in front of him came hail and fiery coals. [13] The LORD thundered in the sky; the Most High shouted. [14] He shot his arrows and scattered them, many lightning bolts and routed them. [15] The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions of the world were uncovered by your battle cry, LORD, by the powerful breath from your nose. [16] He reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me from the surging water. [17] He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me, for they were too strong for me. [18] They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD helped me. [19] He brought me out into a wide open place; he delivered me because he was pleased with me. [20] The LORD repaid me for my godly deeds; he rewarded my blameless behavior. [21] For I have obeyed the LORD's commands; I have not rebelled against my God. [22] For I am aware of all his regulations, and I do not reject his rules. [23] I was innocent before him, and kept myself from sinning. [24] The LORD rewarded me for my godly deeds; he took notice of my blameless behavior. [25] You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful; you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent. [26] You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse. [27] For you deliver oppressed people, but you bring down those who have a proud look. [28] Indeed, you light my lamp, LORD. My God illuminates the darkness around me. [29] Indeed, with your help I can charge against an army; by my God's power I can jump over a wall. [30] The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the LORD's promise is reliable. He is a shield to all who take shelter in him. [31] Indeed, who is God besides the LORD? Who is a protector besides our God? [32] The one true God gives me strength; he removes the obstacles in my way. [33] He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain. [34] He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend even the strongest bow. [35] You give me your protective shield; your right hand supports me. Your willingness to help enables me to prevail. [36] You widen my path; my feet do not slip. [37] I chase my enemies and catch them; I do not turn back until I wipe them out. [38] I beat them to death; they fall at my feet. [39] You give me strength for battle; you make my foes kneel before me. [40] You make my enemies retreat; I destroy those who hate me. [41] They cry out, but there is no one to help them; they cry out to the LORD, but he does not answer them. [42] I grind them as fine windblown dust; I beat them underfoot like clay in the streets. [43] You rescue me from a hostile army. You make me a leader of nations; people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects. [44] When they hear of my exploits, they submit to me. Foreigners are powerless before me. [45] Foreigners lose their courage; they shake with fear as they leave their strongholds. [46] The LORD is alive! My Protector is praiseworthy. The God who delivers me is exalted as king. [47] The one true God completely vindicates me; he makes nations submit to me. [48] He delivers me from my enemies. You snatch me away from those who attack me; you rescue me from violent men. [49] So I will give you thanks before the nations, O LORD. I will sing praises to you. [50] He gives his king magnificent victories; he is faithful to his chosen ruler, to David and his descendants forever."