2 Samuel 22:1-51 NIrV

[1] David sang the words of this song to the LORD. He sang them when the LORD saved him from the power of all his enemies and of Saul. [2] He said, “The LORD is my rock and my fort. He is the God who saves me. [3] My God is my rock. I go to him for safety. He is like a shield to me. He’s the power that saves me. He’s my place of safety. I go to him for help. He’s my Savior. He saves me from those who want to hurt me. [4] I called out to the LORD. He is worthy of praise. He saved me from my enemies. [5] “The waves of death were all around me. A destroying flood swept over me. [6] The ropes of the grave were tight around me. Death set its trap in front of me. [7] When I was in trouble I called out to the LORD. I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice. My cry for help reached his ears. [8] “The earth trembled and shook. The pillars of the heavens rocked back and forth. They trembled because the LORD was angry. [9] Smoke came out of his nose. Flames of fire came out of his mouth. Burning coals blazed out of it. [10] He opened the heavens and came down. Dark clouds were under his feet. [11] He got on the cherubim and flew. The wings of the wind lifted him up. [12] He covered himself with darkness. The dark rain clouds of the sky were like a tent around him. [13] From the brightness all around him flashes of lightning blazed out. [14] The LORD thundered from heaven. The voice of the Most High God was heard. [15] He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy. He sent flashes of lightning and chased them away. [16] The bottom of the sea could be seen. The foundations of the earth were uncovered. It happened when the LORD’s anger blazed out. It came like a blast of breath from his nose. [17] “He reached down from heaven. He took hold of me. He lifted me out of deep waters. [18] He saved me from my powerful enemies. He set me free from those who were too strong for me. [19] They stood up to me when I was in trouble. But the LORD helped me. [20] He brought me out into a wide and safe place. He saved me because he was pleased with me. [21] “The LORD has been good to me because I do what is right. He has rewarded me because I lead a pure life. [22] I have lived the way the LORD wanted me to. I’m not guilty of turning away from my God. [23] I keep all his laws in mind. I haven’t turned away from his commands. [24] He knows that I am without blame. He knows I’ve kept myself from sinning. [25] The LORD has rewarded me for doing what is right. He has rewarded me because I haven’t done anything wrong. [26] “LORD, to those who are faithful you show that you are faithful. To those who are without blame you show that you are without blame. [27] To those who are pure you show that you are pure. But to those whose paths are crooked you show that you are clever. [28] You save those who aren’t proud. But you watch the proud to bring them down. [29] LORD, you are my lamp. You bring light into my darkness. [30] With your help I can attack a troop of soldiers. With the help of my God I can climb over a wall. [31] “God’s way is perfect. The LORD’s word doesn’t have any flaws. He protects like a shield all who go to him for safety. [32] Who is God except the LORD? Who is the Rock except our God? [33] God gives me strength for the battle. He keeps my way secure. [34] He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He causes me to stand on the highest places. [35] He trains my hands to fight every battle. My arms can bend a bow of bronze. [36] LORD, you shield me with your saving help. Your help has made me great. [37] You give me a wide path to walk in so that I don’t twist my ankles. [38] “I chased my enemies and crushed them. I didn’t turn back until they were destroyed. [39] I crushed them completely so that they couldn’t get up. They fell under my feet. [40] LORD, you gave me strength to fight the battle. You caused my enemies to be humble in front of me. [41] You made them turn their backs and run away. So I destroyed my enemies. [42] They cried out for help. But there was no one to save them. They called out to the LORD. But he didn’t answer them. [43] I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth. I pounded them and walked on them like mud in the streets. [44] “You saved me when people attacked me. You have kept me as the ruler over nations. People I didn’t know serve me now. [45] People from other lands bow down to me in fear. As soon as they hear about me, they obey me. [46] All of them give up hope. They come trembling out of their hiding places. [47] “The LORD lives! Give praise to my Rock! Give honor to my God, the Rock! He is my Savior! [48] He is the God who pays back my enemies. He brings the nations under my control. [49] He sets me free from my enemies. You have honored me more than them. You have saved me from a man who wanted to hurt me. [50] LORD, I will praise you among the nations. I will sing your praise. [51] He gives his king great victories. He shows his faithful love to his anointed king. He shows it to David and his family forever.”