Psalm 18:1-50 GNT

[1] How I love you, LORD! You are my defender. [2] The LORD is my protector; he is my strong fortress. My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe. [3] I call to the LORD, and he saves me from my enemies. Praise the LORD! [4] The danger of death was all around me; the waves of destruction rolled over me. [5] The danger of death was around me, and the grave set its trap for me. [6] In my trouble I called to the LORD; I called to my God for help. In his temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help. [7] Then the earth trembled and shook; the foundations of the mountains rocked and quivered, because God was angry. [8] Smoke poured out of his nostrils, a consuming flame and burning coals from his mouth. [9] He tore the sky open and came down with a dark cloud under his feet. [10] He flew swiftly on his winged creature; he traveled on the wings of the wind. [11] He covered himself with darkness; thick clouds, full of water, surrounded him. [12] Hailstones and flashes of fire came from the lightning before him and broke through the dark clouds. [13] Then the LORD thundered from the sky; and the voice of the Most High was heard. [14] He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; with flashes of lightning he sent them running. [15] The floor of the ocean was laid bare, and the foundations of the earth were uncovered, when you rebuked your enemies, LORD, and roared at them in anger. [16] The LORD reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me out of the deep waters. [17] He rescued me from my powerful enemies and from all those who hate me- they were too strong for me. [18] When I was in trouble, they attacked me, but the LORD protected me. [19] He helped me out of danger; he saved me because he was pleased with me. [20] The LORD rewards me because I do what is right; he blesses me because I am innocent. [21] I have obeyed the law of the LORD; I have not turned away from my God. [22] I have observed all his laws; I have not disobeyed his commands. [23] He knows that I am faultless, that I have kept myself from doing wrong. [24] And so he rewards me because I do what is right, because he knows that I am innocent. [25] O LORD, you are faithful to those who are faithful to you; completely good to those who are perfect. [26] You are pure to those who are pure, but hostile to those who are wicked. [27] You save those who are humble, but you humble those who are proud. [28] O LORD, you give me light; you dispel my darkness. [29] You give me strength to attack my enemies and power to overcome their defenses. [30] This God-how perfect are his deeds! How dependable his words! He is like a shield for all who seek his protection. [31] The LORD alone is God; God alone is our defense. [32] He is the God who makes me strong, who makes my pathway safe. [33] He makes me sure-footed as a deer; he keeps me safe on the mountains. [34] He trains me for battle, so that I can use the strongest bow. [35] O LORD, you protect me and save me; your care has made me great, and your power has kept me safe. [36] You have kept me from being captured, and I have never fallen. [37] I pursue my enemies and catch them; I do not stop until I destroy them. [38] I strike them down, and they cannot rise; they lie defeated before me. [39] You give me strength for the battle and victory over my enemies. [40] You make my enemies run from me; I destroy those who hate me. [41] They cry for help, but no one saves them; they call to the LORD, but he does not answer. [42] I crush them, so that they become like dust which the wind blows away. I trample on them like mud in the streets. [43] You saved me from a rebellious people and made me ruler over the nations; people I did not know have now become my subjects. [44] Foreigners bow before me; when they hear me, they obey. [45] They lose their courage and come trembling from their fortresses. [46] The LORD lives! Praise my defender! Proclaim the greatness of the God who saves me. [47] He gives me victory over my enemies; he subdues the nations under me [48] and saves me from my foes. O LORD, you give me victory over my enemies and protect me from violent people. [49] And so I praise you among the nations; I sing praises to you. [50] God gives great victories to his king; he shows constant love to the one he has chosen, to David and his descendants forever.