Psalms 18

1 I will love thee, O Jehovah, my strength.

1To the Overseer. --By a servant of Jehovah, by David, who hath spoken to Jehovah the words of this song in the day Jehovah delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul, and he saith: --I love Thee, O Jehovah, my strength.

1Unto the end. A Psalm for David.

1I love thee, O Jehovah, my strength.

2 Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; myGod, my rock, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.

2Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> my rock, and my bulwark, And my deliverer, My God <FI>is<Fi> my rock, I trust in Him: My shield, and a horn of my salvation, My high tower.

2The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.

2Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I will take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.

3 I will call upon Jehovah, who is to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

3The `Praised One' I call Jehovah, And from my enemies I am saved.

3Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night sheweth knowledge.

3I will call upon Jehovah, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4 The bands of death encompassed me, and torrents of Belial made me afraid.

4Compassed me have cords of death, And streams of the worthless make me afraid.

4There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard.

4The cords of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

5 The bands of Sheol surrounded me, the cords of death encountered me.

5Cords of Sheol have surrounded me, Before me have been snares of death.

5Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world.

5The cords of Sheol were round about me; The snares of death came upon me.

6 In my distress I called upon Jehovah, and I cried out to myGod; he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, into his ears.

6In mine adversity I call Jehovah, And unto my God I cry. He heareth from His temple my voice, And My cry before Him cometh into His ears.

6He hath set his tabernacle in the sun: and he as a bridegroom coming out of his bridechamber, Hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way:

6In my distress I called upon Jehovah, And cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his temple, And my cry before him came into his ears.

7 Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled and shook, because he was wroth.

7And shake and tremble doth the earth, And foundations of hills are troubled, And they shake--because He hath wrath.

7His going out is from the end of heaven, And his circuit even to the end thereof: and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.

7Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations also of the mountains quaked And were shaken, because he was wroth.

8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals burned forth from it.

8Gone up hath smoke by His nostrils, And fire from His mouth consumeth, Coals have been kindled by it.

8The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.

8There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, And fire out of his mouth devoured: Coals were kindled by it.

9 And he bowed the heavens, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.

9And He inclineth the heavens, and cometh down, And thick darkness <FI>is<Fi> under His feet.

9The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.

9He bowed the heavens also, and came down; And thick darkness was under his feet.

10 And he rode upon a cherub and did fly; yea, he flew fast upon the wings of the wind.

10And He rideth on a cherub, and doth fly, And He flieth on wings of wind.

10The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

10And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly; Yea, he soared upon the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his secret place, his tent round about him: darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

11He maketh darkness His secret place, Round about Him His tabernacle, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

11More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

11He made darkness his hiding-place, his pavilion round about him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

12 From the brightness before him his thick clouds passed forth: hail and coals of fire.

12From the brightness over-against Him His thick clouds have passed on, Hail and coals of fire.

12For thy servant keepeth them, and in keeping them there is a great reward.

12At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, Hailstones and coals of fire.

13 And Jehovah thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice: hail and coals of fire.

13And thunder in the heavens doth Jehovah, And the Most High giveth forth His voice, Hail and coals of fire.

13Who can understand sins? from my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord:

13Jehovah also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered his voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.

14 And he sent his arrows, and scattered [mine enemies]; and he shot forth lightnings, and discomfited them.

14And He sendeth His arrows and scattereth them, And much lightning, and crusheth them.

14And from those of others spare thy servant. If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot: and I shall be cleansed from the greatest sin.

14And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yea, lightnings manifold, and discomfited them.

15 And the beds of the waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were uncovered at thy rebuke, Jehovah, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

15And seen are the streams of waters, And revealed are foundations of the earth. From Thy rebuke, O Jehovah, From the breath of the spirit of Thine anger.

15And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please: and the meditation of my heart always in thy sight. O Lord, my helper and my Redeemer.

15Then the channels of waters appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare, At thy rebuke, O Jehovah, At the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

16 He reached forth from above, he took me, he drew me out of great waters:

16He sendeth from above--He taketh me, He draweth me out of many waters.

16(not in this translation)

16He sent from on high, he took me; He drew me out of many waters.

17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me; for they were mightier than I.

17He delivereth me from my strong enemy, And from those hating me, For they have been stronger than I.

17(not in this translation)

17He delivered me from my strong enemy, And from them that hated me; for they were too mighty for me.

18 They encountered me in the day of my calamity, but Jehovah was my stay.

18They go before me in a day of my calamity And Jehovah is for a support to me.

18(not in this translation)

18They came upon me in the day of my calamity; But Jehovah was my stay.

19 And he brought me forth into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

19And He bringeth me forth to a large place, He draweth me out, because He delighted in me.

19(not in this translation)

19He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because he delighted in me.

20 Jehovah hath rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

20Jehovah doth recompense me According to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands, He doth return to me.

20(not in this translation)

20Jehovah hath rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

21 For I have kept the ways of Jehovah, and have not wickedly departed from myGod.

21For I have kept the ways of Jehovah, And have not done wickedly against my God.

21(not in this translation)

21For I have kept the ways of Jehovah, And have not wickedly departed from my God.

22 For all his ordinances were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me;

22For all His judgments <FI>are<Fi> before me, And His statutes I turn not from me.

22(not in this translation)

22For all his ordinances were before me, And I put not away his statutes from me.

23 And I was upright with him, and kept myself from mine iniquity.

23And I am perfect with him, And I keep myself from mine iniquity.

23(not in this translation)

23I was also perfect with him, And I kept myself from mine iniquity.

24 And Jehovah hath recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

24And Jehovah doth return to me, According to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands, Over-against his eyes.

24(not in this translation)

24Therefore hath Jehovah recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

25 With the gracious thou dost shew thyself gracious; with the upright man thou dost shew thyself upright;

25With the kind Thou showest Thyself kind, With a perfect man showest Thyself perfect.

25(not in this translation)

25With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; With the perfect man thou wilt show thyself perfect;

26 With the pure thou dost shew thyself pure; and with the perverse thou dost shew thyself contrary.

26With the pure Thou showest Thyself pure, And with the perverse showest Thyself a wrestler,

26(not in this translation)

26With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; And with the perverse thou wilt show thyself froward.

27 For it is thou that savest the afflicted people; but the haughty eyes wilt thou bring down.

27For Thou a poor people savest, And the eyes of the high causest to fall.

27(not in this translation)

27For thou wilt save the afflicted people; But the haughty eyes thou wilt bring down.

28 For it is thou that makest my lamp to shine: Jehovah myGod enlighteneth my darkness.

28For Thou--Thou lightest my lamp, Jehovah my God enlighteneth my darkness.

28(not in this translation)

28For thou wilt light my lamp: Jehovah my God will lighten my darkness.

29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by myGod have I leaped over a wall.

29For by Thee I run--a troop! And by my God I leap a wall.

29(not in this translation)

29For by thee I run upon a troop; And by my God do I leap over a wall.

30 As forGod, his way is perfect; the word of Jehovah is tried: he is a shield to all that trust in him.

30God! perfect <FI>is<Fi> His way, The saying of Jehovah is tried, A shield <FI>is<Fi> He to all those trusting in Him.

30(not in this translation)

30As for God, his way is perfect: The word of Jehovah is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in him.

31 For who isGod save Jehovah? and who is a rock if not ourGod?

31For who <FI>is<Fi> God besides Jehovah? And who <FI>is<Fi> a rock save our God?

31(not in this translation)

31For who is God, save Jehovah? And who is a rock, besides our God,

32 TheGod who girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect,

32God! who is girding me <FI>with<Fi> strength, And He maketh perfect my way.

32(not in this translation)

32The God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect?

33 Who maketh my feet like hinds' [feet], and setteth me upon my high places;

33Making my feet like hinds, And on my high places causeth me to stand.

33(not in this translation)

33He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: And setteth me upon my high places.

34 Who teacheth my hands to war, and mine arms bend a bow of brass;

34Teaching my hands for battle, And a bow of brass was brought down by my arms.

34(not in this translation)

34He teacheth my hands to war; So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.

35 And thou didst give me the shield of thy salvation, and thy right hand held me up; and thy condescending gentleness hath made me great.

35And Thou givest to me the shield of Thy salvation, And Thy right hand doth support me, And Thy lowliness maketh me great.

35(not in this translation)

35Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation; And thy right hand hath holden me up, And thy gentleness hath made me great.

36 Thou didst enlarge my steps under me, and mine ankles have not wavered.

36Thou enlargest my step under me, And mine ankles have not slidden.

36(not in this translation)

36Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped.

37 I pursued mine enemies, and overtook them; and I turned not again till they were consumed.

37I pursue mine enemies, and overtake them, And turn back not till they are consumed.

37(not in this translation)

37I will pursue mine enemies, and overtake them; Neither will I turn again till they are consumed.

38 I crushed them, and they were not able to rise: they fell under my feet.

38I smite them, and they are not able to rise, They fall under my feet,

38(not in this translation)

38I will smite them through, so that they shall not be able to rise: They shall fall under my feet.

39 And thou girdedst me with strength to battle; thou didst subdue under me those that rose up against me.

39And Thou girdest me <FI>with<Fi> strength for battle, Causest my withstanders to bow under me.

39(not in this translation)

39For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

40 And mine enemies didst thou make to turn their backs unto me, and those that hated me I destroyed.

40As to mine enemies--Thou hast given to me the neck, As to those hating me--I cut them off.

40(not in this translation)

40Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, That I might cut off them that hate me.

41 They cried, and there was none to save; — unto Jehovah, and he answered them not.

41They cry, and there is no saviour, On Jehovah, and He doth not answer them.

41(not in this translation)

41They cried, but there was none to save; Even unto Jehovah, but he answered them not.

42 And I did beat them small as dust before the wind; I did cast them out as the mire of the streets.

42And I beat them as dust before wind, As mire of the streets I empty them out.

42(not in this translation)

42Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind; I did cast them out as the mire of the streets.

43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; thou hast made me the head of the nations: a people I knew not doth serve me.

43Thou dost deliver me From the strivings of the people, Thou placest me for a head of nations, A people I have not known do serve me.

43(not in this translation)

43Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; Thou hast made me the head of the nations: A people whom I have not known shall serve me.

44 At the hearing of the ear, they obey me: strangers come cringing unto me.

44At the hearing of the ear they hearken to me, Sons of a stranger feign obedience to me,

44(not in this translation)

44As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me; The foreigners shall submit themselves unto me.

45 Strangers have faded away, and they come trembling forth from their close places.

45Sons of a stranger fade away, And are slain out of their close places.

45(not in this translation)

45The foreigners shall fade away, And shall come trembling out of their close places.

46 Jehovah liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be theGod of my salvation,

46Jehovah liveth--and blessed <FI>is<Fi> my rock, And exalted is the God of my salvation.

46(not in this translation)

46Jehovah liveth; and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation,

47 TheGod who hath avenged me, and hath subjected the peoples to me;

47God--who is giving vengeance to me, And He subdueth peoples under me,

47(not in this translation)

47Even the God that executeth vengeance for me, And subdueth peoples under me.

48 Who hath delivered me from mine enemies: yea, thou hast lifted me up above them that rose up against me; from the man of violence hast thou delivered me.

48My deliverer from mine enemies, Above my withstanders Thou raisest me, From a man of violence dost deliver me.

48(not in this translation)

48He rescueth me from mine enemies; Yea, thou liftest me up above them that rise up against me; Thou deliverest me from the violent man.

49 Therefore will I give thanks to thee, Jehovah, among the nations, and will sing psalms to thy name.

49Therefore I confess Thee among nations, O Jehovah, And to Thy name I sing praise,

49(not in this translation)

49Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah, among the nations, And will sing praises unto thy name.

50 [It is he] who giveth great deliverances to his king, and sheweth loving-kindness to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

50Magnifying the salvation of His king, And doing kindness to His anointed, To David, and to his seed--unto the age!

50(not in this translation)

50Great deliverance giveth he to his king, And showeth lovingkindness to his anointed, To David and to his seed, for evermore.