1<b>For the Chief Musician. By David the servant of Yahweh, who spoke to Yahweh the words of this song the day Yahweh rescued him from all his enemies, and from Saul. He said, </b> I love you, Yahweh, my strength.
2Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I find safety; my shield, the power that saves me, my high tower.
3I call on Yahweh, who deserves all praise; and I am saved from my enemies.
4The ropes of death surrounded me. The torrents of wickedness terrified me.
5The ropes of the grave were around me. The traps of death came upon me.
6In my trouble, I called to Yahweh and cried out to my God. From his temple, he heard my voice. My cry reached his ears.
7Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of the mountains also quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
8Smoke came out of his nostrils. Devouring fire came from his mouth. Coals were set ablaze by it.
9He bent the heavens down and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.
10He rode on a cherub and flew. Yes, he soared on the wings of the wind.
11He made darkness his hiding place, his shelter around him—dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
12From the brightness before him, his thick clouds passed, with hailstones and coals of fire.
13Yahweh also thundered in the sky. The Most High spoke with his voice: hailstones and coals of fire.
14He sent out his arrows and scattered them; yes, great lightning bolts, and he defeated them.
15Then the riverbeds appeared. The foundations of the world were uncovered at your scolding, Yahweh, at the powerful breath from your nostrils.
16He sent from above and took me. He pulled me out of deep waters.
17He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from those who hated me, because they were too strong for me.
18They confronted me on the day of my disaster, but Yahweh supported me.
19He also brought me out to a wide-open place. He rescued me, because he was pleased with me.
20Yahweh has rewarded me because I was righteous. He has paid me back because my hands were clean.
21For I have followed the ways of Yahweh and have not wickedly turned away from my God.
22For all his laws were before me. I did not disregard his decrees.
23I was also faultless with him. I kept myself from my sin.
24Therefore, Yahweh has rewarded me because I was righteous, because my hands were clean in his sight.
25To those who are merciful, you show yourself merciful. To the blameless person, you show yourself blameless.
26You show yourself pure with those who are pure. You show yourself clever with those who are crooked.
27Because you will save humble people, but you will bring down those who are arrogant.
28Because you, Yahweh, will light my lamp. My God will light up my darkness.
29Because with your help, I can charge through a troop of soldiers. With the help of my God, I can jump over a wall.
30As for God, his way is perfect. Yahweh's word has been tested and proven true. He protects all who trust in him.
31Who is God, if not Yahweh? Who is a rock, apart from our God?
32He is the God who gives me strength and makes my path perfect.
33He makes my feet as agile as a deer's, and sets me safely on high places.
34He trains my hands for battle, so my arms can bend a bronze bow.
35You have also given me your salvation as a shield. Your strong hand supports me. Your kindness has made me great.
36You have made my path wide and firm beneath me, so my feet have not slipped.
37I will chase my enemies and catch them. I will not turn back until they are completely destroyed.
38I will strike them down so they cannot get up. They will fall beneath my feet.
39Because you have given me strength for the battle. You have defeated those who rose up against me.
40You have also made my enemies turn their backs and run from me, so I could destroy those who hate me.
41They cried for help, but no one saved them; even when they cried to Yahweh, he did not answer them.
42Then I ground them to dust before the wind. I threw them out like mud in the streets.
43You have rescued me from the conflicts of the people. You have made me the leader of nations. People I didn't know will serve me.
44As soon as they hear about me, they will obey me. Foreigners will surrender to me.
45Foreigners will lose heart and come trembling out of their hiding places.
46Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! May the God who saves me be honored!
47He is the God who gets revenge for me and brings nations under my control.
48He rescues me from my enemies. You lift me above those who attack me; you save me from violent people.
49Therefore, Yahweh, I will praise you among the nations and sing hymns to your name.
50He gives great victories to his king and shows loyal love to his chosen one, to David and his descendants forever.