22:1 When the LORD saved David from Saul and his other enemies, David sang this song to the LORD: |
22:2 The LORD is my protector; he is my strong fortress. |
22:3 My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe. He is my savior; he protects me and saves me from violence. |
22:4 I call to the LORD, and he saves me from my enemies. Praise the LORD! |
22:5 The waves of death were all around me; the waves of destruction rolled over me. |
22:6 The danger of death was around me, and the grave set its trap for me. |
22:7 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. |
22:8 Then the earth trembled and shook; the foundations of the sky rocked and quivered because God was angry! |
22:9 Smoke poured out of his nostrils, a consuming flame and burning coals from his mouth. |
22:10 He tore the sky open and came down, with a dark cloud under his feet. |
22:11 He flew swiftly on his winged creature; he traveled on the wings of the wind. |
22:12 He covered himself with darkness; thick clouds, full of water, surrounded him; |
22:13 burning coals flamed up from the lightning before him. |
22:14 Then the LORD thundered from the sky, and the voice of Almighty God was heard. |
22:15 He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; with flashes of lightning he sent them running. |
22:16 The floor of the ocean was laid bare, and the foundations of the earth were uncovered when the LORD rebuked his enemies and roared at them in anger. |
22:17 The LORD reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me out of the deep waters. |
22:18 He rescued me from my powerful enemies and from all those who hate me--- they were too strong for me. |
22:19 When I was in trouble, they attacked me, but the LORD protected me. |
22:20 He helped me out of danger; he saved me because he was pleased with me. |
22:21 The LORD rewards me because I do what is right; he blesses me because I am innocent. |
22:22 I have obeyed the law of the LORD; I have not turned away from my God. |
22:23 I have observed all his laws; I have not disobeyed his commands. |
22:24 He knows that I am faultless, that I have kept myself from doing wrong. |
22:25 And so he rewards me because I do what is right, because he knows that I am innocent. |
22:26 O LORD, you are faithful to those who are faithful to you, and completely good to those who are perfect. |
22:27 You are pure to those who are pure, but hostile to those who are wicked. |
22:28 You save those who are humble, but you humble those who are proud. |
22:29 You, LORD, are my light; you dispel my darkness. |
22:30 You give me strength to attack my enemies and power to overcome their defenses. |
22:31 This God---how perfect are his deeds, how dependable his words! He is like a shield for all who seek his protection. |
22:32 The LORD alone is God; God alone is our defense. |
22:33 This God is my strong refuge; he makes my pathway safe. |
22:34 He makes me sure-footed as a deer; he keeps me safe on the mountains. |
22:35 He trains me for battle, so that I can use the strongest bow. |
22:36 O LORD, you protect me and save me; your help has made me great. |
22:37 You have kept me from being captured, and I have never fallen. |
22:38 I pursue my enemies and defeat them; I do not stop until I destroy them. |
22:39 I strike them down, and they cannot rise; they lie defeated before me. |
22:40 You give me strength for the battle and victory over my enemies. |
22:41 You make my enemies run from me; I destroy those who hate me. |
22:42 They look for help, but no one saves them; they call to the LORD, but he does not answer. |
22:43 I crush them, and they become like dust; I trample on them like mud in the streets. |
22:44 You saved me from my rebellious people and maintained my rule over the nations; people I did not know have now become my subjects. |
22:45 Foreigners bow before me; when they hear me, they obey. |
22:46 They lose their courage and come trembling from their fortresses. |
22:47 The LORD lives! Praise my defender! Proclaim the greatness of the strong God who saves me! |
22:48 He gives me victory over my enemies; he subdues the nations under me |
22:49 and saves me from my foes. O LORD, you give me victory over my enemies and protect me from violent men. |
22:50 And so I praise you among the nations; I sing praises to you. |
22:51 God gives great victories to his king; he shows constant love to the one he has chosen, to David and his descendants forever. |