Two poems by David

David sings to the LORD

(Psalms 18.1-50)

1David sang a song to the LORD after the LORD had rescued him from his enemies, especially Saul. These are the words to David's song:

2Our LORD and our God,

you are my mighty rock,22.2 mighty rock: The Hebrew text has “rock”, which is sometimes used in poetry to compare the LORD to a mountain where his people can run for protection from their enemies.

my fortress, my protector.

3You are the rock

where I am safe.

You are my shield,

my powerful weapon,22.3 powerful weapon: The Hebrew has “the horn”, which refers to the horn of a bull, one of the most powerful animals in ancient Palestine.

and my place of shelter.

You rescue me and keep me

from being hurt.

4I praise you, our LORD!

I prayed to you,

and you rescued me

from my enemies.

5Death, like ocean waves,

surrounded me,

and I was almost swallowed

by its flooding waters.

6Ropes from the world

of the dead

had coiled around me,

and death had set a trap

in my path.

7I was in terrible trouble

when I called out to you,

but from your temple

you heard me

and answered my prayer.

8Earth shook and shivered!

The columns supporting the sky22.8 columns…sky: The sky was sometimes described as a dome that was held up by a foundation or pillars.

rocked back and forth.

You were angry

9and breathed out smoke.

Scorching heat and fiery flames

spewed from your mouth.

10You opened the heavens

like curtains,

and you came down

with storm clouds

under your feet.

11You rode on the backs

of flying creatures.22.11 flying creatures: These were supernatural beings (see the note at 6.2).

You appeared22.11 appeared: Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts “swooped down” (see Psalm 18.10).

with the wind as wings.

12Darkness was your tent!

Thunderclouds filled the sky,

hiding you from sight.

13Fiery coals lit up the sky

in front of you.

14LORD Most High, your voice

thundered from the heavens.

15You scattered your enemies

with arrows of lightning.

16You roared at the sea,

and its deepest channels

could be seen.

You snorted,

and the earth shook

to its foundations.

17You reached down from heaven,

and you lifted me

from deep in the ocean.

18You rescued me from enemies

who were hateful

and too powerful for me.

19On the day disaster struck,

they came and attacked,

but you defended me.

20When I was fenced in,

you freed and rescued me

because you love me.

21You are good to me, LORD,

because I do right,

and you reward me

because I am innocent.

22I do what you want

and never turn to do evil.

23I keep your laws in mind

and never turn away

from your teachings.

24I obey you completely

and guard against sin.

25You have been good to me

because I do right;

you have rewarded me

for being innocent

by your standards.

26You are always loyal

to your loyal people,

and you are faithful

to the faithful.

27With all who are sincere

you are sincere,

but you treat the unfaithful

as their deeds deserve.

28You rescue the humble,

but you look for ways

to put down the proud.

29Our LORD and God,

you are my lamp.

You turn darkness to light.

30You help me defeat armies

and capture cities.

31Your way is perfect, LORD,

and your word is correct.

You are a shield for those

who run to you for help.

32You alone are God!

Only you are a mighty rock.22.32 mighty rock: See the note at 22.2.

33You are my strong fortress,

and you set me free.

34You make my feet run as fast22.34: He 3.19.

as those of a deer,

and you help me stand

on the mountains.

35You teach my hands to fight

and my arms to use

a bow of bronze.

36You alone are my shield,

and by coming to help me,

you have made me famous.

37You clear the way for me,

and now I won't stumble.

38I kept chasing my enemies

until I caught them

and destroyed them.

39I destroyed them!

I stuck my sword

through my enemies,

and they were crushed

under my feet.

40You helped me win victories

and forced my attackers

to fall victim to me.

41You made my enemies run,

and I killed them.

42They cried out for help,

but no one saved them;

they called out to you,

but there was no answer.

43I ground them to dust,

and I squashed them

like mud in the streets.

44You rescued me

from my stubborn people

and made me the leader

of foreign nations,

who are now my slaves.

45They obey and come crawling.

46They have lost all courage

and from their fortresses

they come trembling.

47You are the living LORD!

I will praise you!

You are a mighty rock.22.47 mighty rock: See the note at 22.2.

I will honour you

for keeping me safe.

48You took revenge for me,

and you put nations

in my power.

49You protected me

from violent enemies,

and you made me much greater

than all of them.

50I will praise you, LORD,22.50: Ro 15.9.

and I will honour you

among the nations.

51You give glorious victories

to your chosen king.

Your faithful love for David

and for his descendants

will never end.