1David sang this song to the LORD when the LORD rescued him from all his enemies, especially from Saul.

2He said, The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my Savior,

3my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, the strength of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior who saved me from violence.

4The LORD should be praised. I called on him, and I was saved from my enemies.

5The waves of death had surrounded me. The torrents of destruction had overwhelmed me.

6The ropes of the grave had surrounded me. The clutches of death had confronted me.

7I called on the LORD in my distress. I called to my God for help. He heard my voice from his temple, and my cry for help reached his ears.

8Then the earth shook and quaked. Even the foundations of the heavens trembled. They shook violently because he was angry.

9Smoke went up from his nostrils, and a raging fire came out of his mouth. Glowing coals flared up from it.

10He spread apart the heavens and came down with a dark cloud under his feet.

11He rode on one of the angels as he flew, and he soared on the wings of the wind.

12He surrounded himself with darkness. He made the dark rain clouds his covering.

13Out of the brightness in front of him, he made lightning.

14The LORD thundered from heaven. The Most High made his voice heard.

15He shot arrows and scattered them. He flashed streaks of lightning and threw them into confusion.

16Then the ocean floor could be seen. The foundations of the earth were laid bare at the LORD's stern warning, at the blast of the breath from his nostrils.

17He reached down from high above and took hold of me. He pulled me out of the raging water.

18He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, because they were too strong for me.

19On the day when I faced disaster, they confronted me, but the LORD became my defense.

20He brought me out to a wide-open place. He rescued me because he was pleased with me.

21The LORD rewarded me because of my righteousness, because my hands are clean. He paid me back

22because I have kept the ways of the LORD and I have not wickedly turned away from my God,

23because all his judgments are in front of me and I have not turned away from his laws.

24I was innocent as far as he was concerned. I have kept myself from guilt.

25The LORD paid me back because of my righteousness, because he can see that I am clean.

26[In dealing] with faithful people you are faithful, with innocent warriors you are innocent,

27with pure people you are pure. [In dealing] with devious people you are clever.

28You save humble people, but your eyes bring down arrogant people.

29O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD turns my darkness into light.

30With you I can attack a line of soldiers. With my God I can break through barricades.

31God's way is perfect! The promise of the LORD has proven to be true. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

32Who is God but the LORD? Who is a rock other than our God?

33God arms me with strength. His perfect way sets me free.

34He makes my feet like those of a deer and gives me sure footing on high places.

35He trains my hands for battle so that my arms can bend an [archer's] bow of bronze.

36You have given me the shield of your salvation. Your help makes me great.

37You make a wide path for me to walk on so that my feet do not slip.

38I chased my enemies and destroyed them. I did not return until I had ended their lives.

39I ended their lives by shattering them. They were unable to get up. They fell under my feet.

40You armed me with strength for battle. You made my opponents bow at my feet.

41You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and I destroyed those who hated me.

42They looked, but there was no one to save them. They looked to the LORD, but he did not answer them.

43I beat them into a powder as fine as the dust on the ground. I crushed them and stomped on them like the dirt on the streets.

44You rescued me from my conflicts with my people. You kept me as the leader of nations. A people I did not know will serve me.

45Foreigners will cringe in front of me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.

46Foreigners will lose heart, although they are armed in their fortifications.

47The LORD lives! Thanks be to my rock! May God, the rock of my salvation, be glorified.

48God gives me vengeance! He brings people under my authority.

49He frees me from my enemies. You lift me up above my opponents. You rescue me from violent people.

50That is why I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the nations and make music to praise your name.

51He gives great victories to his king. He shows mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his descendant forever.