Psalms 18:1-29

I love you, YAHWEH, and I’m bonded to you, my strength! YAHWEH, you’re the bedrock beneath my feet, my faith-fortress, my wonderful deliverer, my God, my rock of rescue where none can reach me. You’re the shield around me, the mighty power that saves me, and my high place. All I need to do is to call on you, YAHWEH, the praiseworthy God. When I do, I’m safe and sound in you— delivered from my foes! For when the cords of death wrapped around me and torrents of destruction overwhelmed me, taking me to death’s door, in my distress I cried out to you, the delivering God, and from your temple-throne you heard my troubled cry, and my sobs went right into your heart. The earth itself shivered and shook. It reeled and rocked before him. As the mountains trembled, they melted away, for his anger was kindled on my behalf! Fierce flames leapt from his mouth, erupting with blazing, burning coals as smoke and fire encircled him. He stretched heaven’s curtain open and came to my defense. Swiftly he rode to earth as the stormy sky was lowered. He rode a chariot of thunderclouds amidst thick darkness; his steed was a cherub, soaring on outstretched wings of Spirit-Wind. Wrapped in the thick-cloud darkness, his thunder-tabernacle surrounded him. He hid himself in mystery-darkness; the dense rain clouds were his garments. Suddenly the brilliance of his presence broke through with lightning bolts and hail— a tempest dropping coals of fire. The Lord thundered; the great God above every god spoke with his thunder-voice from the sky. The Most High uttered his voice! He released his lightning-arrows, and routed my foes. See how they ran and scattered in fear! Then with his mighty roar he laid bare the foundations of the earth, uncovering the secret source of the sea. The hidden depths of land and sea were exposed by the blast of his hot breath. He rescued me from the mighty waters and drew me to himself! Even though I was helpless in the hands of my hateful, strong enemy, you were good to deliver me. When I was at my weakest, my enemies attacked— but the Lord held on to me. His love broke open the way, and he brought me into a beautiful, broad place. He rescued me—because his delight is in me! He rewarded me for doing what’s right and staying pure. I will follow his commands and I’ll not sin by ceasing to follow him, no matter what. For I’ve kept my eyes focused on his righteous words, and I’ve obeyed everything that he’s told me to do. I’ve been blameless before him and followed all his ways, keeping my heart pure. And so YAHWEH has rewarded me according to my righteousness, because I kept my heart clean before his eyes. Good people will taste your goodness. And to those who are loyal to you, you love to prove that you are loyal and true. And for those who are purified, they find you always pure. But you’ll outwit the crooked and cunning with your craftiness. To the humble you bring heaven’s deliverance, but the proud and haughty you disregard. God, all at once you turned on a floodlight for me! You are the revelation-light in my darkness, and in your brightness I can see the path ahead. With you as my strength I can crush an enemy horde, advancing through every stronghold that stands in front of me.