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1 For the music director; by the Lord’s servant David, who sang2 to the Lord the words of this song when3 the Lord rescued him from the power4 of all his enemies, including Saul.5
“I love7 you, Lord, my source of strength!8 2 The Lord is my high ridge,9 my stronghold,10 my deliverer. My God is my rocky summit where11 I take shelter,12 my shield, the horn that saves me,13 and my refuge.14 3 I called15 to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,16 and I was delivered from my enemies.
4 The waves17 of death engulfed me, the currents18 of chaos19 overwhelmed me.20 5 The ropes of Sheol tightened around me,21 the snares of death trapped me.22 6 In my distress I called to the Lord;
From his heavenly temple24 he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help.25 7 The earth heaved and shook;26 the roots of the mountains27 trembled;28 they heaved because he was angry.
8 Smoke ascended from29 his nose;30 fire devoured as it came from his mouth;31 he hurled down fiery coals.32 9 He made the sky sink33 as he descended; a thick cloud was under his feet.
10 He mounted34 a winged angel35 and flew; he glided36 on the wings of the wind.37 11 He shrouded himself in darkness,38 12 From the brightness in front of him came
13 The Lord thundered41 in42 the sky; the sovereign One43 shouted.44 14 He shot his45 arrows and scattered them,46 many lightning bolts47 and routed them.48 15 The depths49 of the sea50 were exposed; the inner regions51 of the world were uncovered by52 your battle cry,53 Lord, by the powerful breath from your nose.54 16 He reached down55 from above and took hold of me; he pulled me from the surging water.56 17 He rescued me from my strong enemy,57 from those who hate me,
for they were too strong for me.
18 They confronted58 me in my day of calamity, but the Lord helped me.59 19 He brought me out into a wide open place;
he delivered me because he was pleased with me.60 20 The Lord repaid61 me for my godly deeds;62 he rewarded63 my blameless behavior.64 21 For I have obeyed the Lord’s commands;65 I have not rebelled against my God.66 22 For I am aware of all his regulations,67 and I do not reject his rules.68 23 I was innocent before him,
and kept myself from sinning.69 24 The Lord rewarded me for my godly deeds;70 he took notice of my blameless behavior.71 25 You prove to be loyal72 to one who is faithful;73 you prove to be trustworthy74 to one who is innocent.75 26 You prove to be reliable76 to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive77 to one who is perverse.78 27 For you deliver oppressed79 people, but you bring down those who have a proud look.80 28 Indeed,81 you are my lamp, Lord.82 My God83 illuminates the darkness around me.84 29 Indeed,85 with your help86 I can charge against87 an army;88 by my God’s power89 I can jump over a wall.90 30 The one true God acts in a faithful manner;91 the Lord’s promise92 is reliable;93 he is a shield to all who take shelter94 in him. 31 Indeed,95 who is God besides the Lord? Who is a protector96 besides our God?97 32 The one true God98 gives99 me strength;100 he removes101 the obstacles in my way.102 33 He gives me the agility of a deer;103 he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.104 34 He trains my hands for battle;105 my arms can bend even the strongest bow.106 35 You give me your protective shield;107 your right hand supports me;108 your willingness to help109 enables me to prevail.110 37 I chase my enemies and catch113 them; I do not turn back until I wipe them out.
38 I beat them114 to death;115 39 You give me strength117 for battle; you make my foes kneel before me.118 40 You make my enemies retreat;119 I destroy those who hate me.120 41 They cry out, but there is no one to help them;121 they cry out to the Lord,122 but he does not answer them. 42 I grind them as fine windblown dust;123 I beat them underfoot124 like clay125 in the streets. 43 You rescue me from a hostile army;126 you make me127 a leader of nations; people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects.128 44 When they hear of my exploits, they submit to me.129 Foreigners are powerless130 before me; 45 foreigners lose their courage;131 they shake with fear132 as they leave133 their strongholds.134 My protector136 is praiseworthy!137 The God who delivers me138 is exalted as king!139 47 The one true God140 completely vindicates me;141 he makes nations submit to me.142 48 He delivers me143 from my enemies; you snatch me away144 from those who attack me;145 you rescue me from violent men.
49 So I will give you thanks before the nations,146 O Lord! I will sing praises to you!147 50 He148 gives his chosen king magnificent victories;149 he is faithful150 to his chosen ruler,151 to David and his descendants152 forever.”153