
Psalm 18
[verse 1] I love You, O LORD, my strength and my song, My rock, my stronghold where I belong, My shield, my horn of saving grace, My tower, my refuge, my sacred place. [verse 2] I called to the LORD, worthy of praise, He answered and rescued me from the grave. The cords of death had tangled me tight, Floods of destruction engulfed me in night. [verse 3] Sheol’s ropes coiled near at hand, Death laid snares in sinking sand. But I cried to the LORD in my distress— He heard from His temple my voice in duress. [verse 4] The earth reeled, the mountains shook, Smoke rose and fire from His nostrils took. He bent the heavens, descended in cloud, Darkness beneath Him, thick and proud. [verse 5] He soared on cherubs, wings of wind, Wrapped in dark water, the storm as His skin. Out of the brightness His hailstones flew, Thunder and flame from His mouth broke through. [verse 6] The LORD thundered aloud from on high— The voice of the Most High split the sky. He shot His arrows, scattered their flight, Lightning confounded them, turned them to flight. [verse 7] Then deep channels of ocean were seen, Foundations laid bare by the blast of His wrath. He reached from on high and took hold of me, He drew me out from the surging sea. [verse 8] He saved me from my hateful foes, From powers too strong when the battle rose. They struck in my day of grief and fear, But the LORD stood firm and drew me near. [verse 9] He brought me out to an open space— He rescued me for He knew my face. The LORD rewarded the works of my hand, For I walked in His way and obeyed His command. [verse 10] I’ve kept His decrees, I’ve not gone astray, I’ve held His judgments day by day. Blameless I stood before His sight, Guarding my heart to do what’s right. [verse 11] To the loyal, You show Yourself true, To the blameless, You bring justice due. With the pure, You show Your light, But twist the proud in crooked sight. [verse 12] You save the humble, raise the low, But cast down eyes that proudly glow. You light my lamp; You pierce the gloom— My God turns darkness into bloom. [verse 13] With You I can charge through enemy lines, With my God I scale the highest climbs. His way is perfect, His word proves sure, A shield to the ones who in Him endure. [verse 14] Who is God but the LORD alone? Who is our Rock but Him on the throne? He girds me with strength, sets my path secure, He makes my steps steadfast and pure. [verse 15] Like a deer He makes my feet, He plants me firm on heights so steep. My hands are trained for war by grace, My arms can bend a bow in place. [verse 16] You gave me the shield of saving might, Your gentleness made my soul upright. You cleared my path beneath my tread, My feet did not slip where You gently led. [verse 17] I pursued my foes, and they turned and fell, I struck them down—they rose no spell. You armed me with strengt

