18 I
will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The
LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength,
in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my
high tower. 3 I
will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved
from mine enemies. 4 The
sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The
sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 In
my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my
voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. 7 Then
the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved
and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There
went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured:
coals were kindled by it. 9 He
bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 10 And
he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of
the wind. 11 He
made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark
waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12 At
the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones
and coals of fire. 13 The
LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail
stones and coals of fire. 14 Yea,
he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings,
and discomfited them. 15 Then
the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were
discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 16 He
sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He
delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they
were too strong for me. 18 They
prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 19 He
brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he
delighted in me. 20 The
LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness
of my hands hath he recompensed me. 21 For
I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from
my God. 22 For
all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes
from me. 23 I
was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24 Therefore
hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according
to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
25
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou
wilt shew thyself upright; 26 With
the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew
thyself froward. 27 For
thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. 28 For
thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 29 For
by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 30 As
for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler
to all those that trust in him. 31 For
who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? 32 It
is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 33 He
maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. 34 He
teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 35 Thou
hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath
holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. 36 Thou
hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. 37 I have
pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till
they were consumed. 38 I have
wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. 39 For
thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under
me those that rose up against me. 40 Thou
hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them
that hate me. 41 They
cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered
them not. 42 Then
did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as
the dirt in the streets. 43 Thou
hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me
the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. 44 As
soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit
themselves unto me. 45 The
strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. 46 The
LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be
exalted. 47 It
is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. 48 He
delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that
rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. 49 Therefore
will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises
unto thy name. 50 Great
deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to
David, and to his seed for evermore.