Psalm 18:16-36

Contemporary English Version

¹⁶ You reached down from heaven,
and you lifted me
    from deep in the ocean.
¹⁷ You rescued me from enemies,
who were hateful
    and too powerful for me.
¹⁸ On the day disaster struck,
they came and attacked,
    but you defended me.
¹⁹ When I was fenced in,
you freed and rescued me
    because you love me.

²⁰ You are good to me, Lord,
    because I do right,
and you reward me
    because I am innocent.
²¹ I do what you want
    and never turn to do evil.
²² I keep your laws in mind
and never look away
    from your teachings.
²³ I obey you completely
    and guard against sin.
²⁴ You have been good to me
    because I do right;
you have rewarded me
for being innocent
    by your standards.

²⁵ You are always loyal
    to your loyal people,
and you are faithful
    to the faithful.
²⁶ With all who are sincere,
    you are sincere,
but you treat the unfaithful
    as their deeds deserve.
²⁷ You rescue the humble,
but you put down all
    who are proud.

²⁸ You, the Lord God,
keep my lamp burning
    and turn darkness to light.
²⁹ You help me defeat armies
    and capture cities.

³⁰ Your way is perfect, Lord,
    and your word is correct.
You are a shield for those
    who run to you for help.
³¹ You alone are God!
    Only you are a mighty rock.^[a]
32 You give me strength
    and guide me right.
^33 (A) You make my feet run as fast
    as those of a deer,
and you help me stand
    on the mountains.

³⁴ You teach my hands to fight
and my arms to use
    a bow of bronze.
³⁵ You alone are my shield.
    Your right hand supports me,
and by coming to help me,
    you have made me famous.
³⁶ You clear the way for me,
    and now I won't stumble.