1I will love thee, O LORD , my strength . 2The 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 . 3I will call upon the LORD , who is worthy to be praised : so shall I be saved from mine enemies .
God's Powerful Intervention
4The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid . 5The sorrows of hell compassed me about : the snares of death prevented me. 6In 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 . 7Then the earth shook and trembled ; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken , because he was wroth . 8There went up a smoke out of his nostrils , and fire out of his mouth devoured : coals were kindled by it. 9He bowed the heavens also, and came down : and darkness was under his feet . 10And he rode upon a cherub , and did fly : yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind . 11He made darkness his secret place ; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies . 12At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed , hail stones and coals of fire . 13The LORD also thundered in the heavens , and the Highest gave his voice ; hail stones and coals of fire . 14Yea, he sent out his arrows , and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings , and discomfited them. 15Then 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 . 16He sent from above , he took me, he drew me out of many waters . 17He delivered me from my strong enemy , and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18They prevented me in the day of my calamity : but the LORD was my stay . 19He brought me forth also into a large place ; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
God's Righteousness and Justice
20The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness ; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. 21For I have kept the ways of the LORD , and have not wickedly departed from my God . 22For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. 23I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity . 24Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness , according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight . 25With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful ; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright ; 26With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure ; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward . 27For thou wilt save the afflicted people ; but wilt bring down high looks . 28For thou wilt light my candle : the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness . 29For by thee I have run through a troop ; and by my God have I leaped over a wall . 30As for God , his way is perfect : the word of the LORD is tried : he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Victory Through God's Strength
31For who is God save the LORD ? or who is a rock save our God ? 32It is God that girdeth me with strength , and maketh my way perfect . 33He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet , and setteth me upon my high places . 34He teacheth my hands to war , so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms . 35Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation : and thy right hand hath holden me up , and thy gentleness hath made me great . 36Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip . 37I have pursued mine enemies , and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed . 38I have wounded them that they were not able to rise : they are fallen under my feet . 39For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle : thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. 40Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies ; that I might destroy them that hate me. 41They cried , but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD , but he answered them not. 42Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind : I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets .
A Song of Praise
43Thou 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. 44As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. 45The strangers shall fade away , and be afraid out of their close places . 46The LORD liveth ; and blessed be my rock ; and let the God of my salvation be exalted . 47It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. 48He 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 . 49Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD , among the heathen , and sing praises unto thy name . 50Great deliverance giveth he to his king ; and sheweth mercy to his anointed , to David , and to his seed for evermore .