NETfree - II Samuel - 22

22:1  David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul.

22:2  He said:"The LORD is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer.

22:3  My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter, my shield, the horn that saves me, my stronghold, my refuge, my savior. You save me from violence!

22:4  I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I was delivered from my enemies.

22:5  The waves of death engulfed me; the currents of chaos overwhelmed me.

22:6  The ropes of Sheol tightened around me; the snares of death trapped me.

22:7  In my distress I called to the LORD; I called to my God. From his heavenly temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help.

22:8  The earth heaved and shook; the foundations of the sky trembled. They heaved because he was angry.

22:9  Smoke ascended from his nose; fire devoured as it came from his mouth; he hurled down fiery coals.

22:10  He made the sky sink as he descended; a thick cloud was under his feet.

22:11  He mounted a winged angel and flew; he glided on the wings of the wind.

22:12  He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds.

22:13  From the brightness in front of him came coals of fire.

22:14  The LORD thundered from the sky; the sovereign One shouted loudly.

22:15  He shot arrows and scattered them, lightning and routed them.

22:16  The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions of the world were uncovered by the LORD's battle cry, by the powerful breath from his nose.

22:17  He reached down from above and grabbed me; he pulled me from the surging water.

22:18  He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me, for they were too strong for me.

22:19  They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD helped me.

22:20  He brought me out into a wide open place; he delivered me because he was pleased with me.

22:21  The LORD repaid me for my godly deeds; he rewarded my blameless behavior.

22:22  For I have obeyed the LORD's commands; I have not rebelled against my God.

22:23  For I am aware of all his regulations, and I do not reject his rules.

22:24  I was blameless before him; I kept myself from sinning.

22:25  The LORD rewarded me for my godly deeds; he took notice of my blameless behavior.

22:26  You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful; you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent.

22:27  You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse.

22:28  You deliver oppressed people, but you watch the proud and bring them down.

22:29  Indeed, you are my lamp, LORD. The LORD illumines the darkness around me.

22:30  Indeed, with your help I can charge against an army; by my God's power I can jump over a wall.

22:31  The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the LORD's promise is reliable; he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.

22:32  Indeed, who is God besides the LORD? Who is a protector besides our God?

22:33  The one true God is my mighty refuge; he removes the obstacles in my way.

22:34  He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.

22:35  He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend even the strongest bow.

22:36  You give me your protective shield; your willingness to help enables me to prevail.

22:37  You widen my path; my feet do not slip.

22:38  I chase my enemies and destroy them; I do not turn back until I wipe them out.

22:39  I wipe them out and beat them to death; they cannot get up; they fall at my feet.

22:40  You give me strength for battle; you make my foes kneel before me.

22:41  You make my enemies retreat; I destroy those who hate me.

22:42  They cry out, but there is no one to help them; they cry out to the LORD, but he does not answer them.

22:43  I grind them as fine as the dust of the ground; I crush them and stomp on them like clay in the streets.

22:44  You rescue me from a hostile army; you preserve me as a leader of nations; people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects.

22:45  Foreigners are powerless before me; when they hear of my exploits, they submit to me.

22:46  Foreigners lose their courage; they shake with fear as they leave their strongholds.

22:47  The LORD is alive! My protector is praiseworthy! The God who delivers me is exalted as king!

22:48  The one true God completely vindicates me; he makes nations submit to me.

22:49  He delivers me from my enemies; you snatch me away from those who attack me; you rescue me from violent men.

22:50  So I will give you thanks, O LORD, before the nations! I will sing praises to you.

22:51  He gives his chosen king magnificent victories; he is faithful to his chosen ruler, to David and to his descendants forever!"