Psalms 18

1Unto the end. A Psalm for David.

1 I will give you my love, O Lord, 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.

1I love thee, O Jehovah, my strength.

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

2The Lord is my Rock, my walled town, and my saviour; my God, my Rock, in him will I put my faith; my breastplate, and the horn of my salvation, and 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.

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.

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

3I will send up my cry to the Lord, who is to be praised; so will I be made safe from those who are against me.

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

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

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

4The cords of death were round me, and the seas of evil put me in fear.

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

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

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

5The cords of hell were round me: the nets of death came on me.

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

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

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 trouble my voice went up to the Lord, and my cry to my God: my voice came to his hearing in his holy Temple, and my prayer came before him, even 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.

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.

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 trouble and shock came on the earth; and the bases of the mountains were moved and shaking, because he was angry.

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

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

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 from his nose, and a fire of destruction from his mouth: flames were lighted by it.

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

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

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

9The heavens were bent, so that he might come down; and it was dark under his feet.

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

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

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

10And he went in flight through the air, seated on a storm-cloud: going quickly on the wings of the wind.

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

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

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

11He made the dark his secret place; his tent round him was the dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

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

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

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

12Before his shining light his dark clouds went past, raining ice and fire.

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

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

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

13The Lord made thunder in the heavens, and the voice of the Highest was sounding out: a rain of ice and fire.

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

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

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.

14He sent out his arrows, driving them in all directions; by his flames of fire they were troubled.

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

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

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 deep beds of the waters were seen, and the bases of the world were uncovered, because of your words of wrath, O Lord, because of the breath from your mouth.

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.

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(not in this translation)

16He sent from on high, he took me, pulling me out of great waters.

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

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

17(not in this translation)

17He made me free from my strong hater, and from those who were against me, because they were stronger than I.

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

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

18(not in this translation)

18They came on me in the day of my trouble; but the Lord was my support.

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

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

19(not in this translation)

19He took me out into a wide place; he was my saviour because he had delight in me.

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

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

20(not in this translation)

20The Lord gives me the reward of my righteousness, because my hands are clean before him.

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

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

21(not in this translation)

21For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not been turned away in sin from my God.

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

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

22(not in this translation)

22For all his decisions were before me, and I did not put away his laws from me.

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

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

23(not in this translation)

23And I was upright before him, and I kept myself from sin.

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

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

24(not in this translation)

24Because of this the Lord has given me the reward of my righteousness, because my hands are clean in his eyes.

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

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

25(not in this translation)

25On him who has mercy you will have mercy; to the upright you will be upright;

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

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

26(not in this translation)

26He who is holy will see that you are holy; but to the man whose way is not straight you will be a hard judge.

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

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

27(not in this translation)

27For you are the saviour of those who are in trouble; but eyes full of pride will be made low.

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

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

28(not in this translation)

28You, O Lord, will be my light; by you, my God, the dark will be made bright for me.

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

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

29(not in this translation)

29By your help I have made a way through the wall which was shutting me in; by the help of my God I have gone over a wall.

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

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

30(not in this translation)

30As for God, his way is completely good; the word of the Lord is tested; he is a breastplate for all those who put their faith 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.

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(not in this translation)

31For who is God but the Lord? or who is a Rock but our God?

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

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

32(not in this translation)

32God puts a strong band about me, guiding me in a straight way.

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

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

33(not in this translation)

33He makes my feet like roes' feet, and puts me on high places.

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

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

34(not in this translation)

34He makes my hands expert in war, so that a bow of brass is bent by my arms.

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

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

35(not in this translation)

35You have given me the breastplate of your salvation: your right hand has been my support, and your mercy has 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.

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(not in this translation)

36You have made my steps wide under me, so that my feet are kept from slipping.

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

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

37(not in this translation)

37I go after my haters and overtake them; not turning back till they are all overcome.

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

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

38(not in this translation)

38I will give them wounds, so that they are not able to get up: they are stretched under my feet.

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

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

39(not in this translation)

39For I have been armed by you with strength for the fight: you have made low under me those who come out against me.

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

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

40(not in this translation)

40By you their backs are turned in flight, so that my haters are cut off.

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

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

41(not in this translation)

41They were crying out, but there was no one to come to their help: even to the Lord, but he gave them no answer.

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

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

42(not in this translation)

42Then they were crushed as small as dust before the wind; they were drained out like the waste of the streets.

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

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

43(not in this translation)

43You have made me free from the fightings of the people; you have made me the head of the nations: a people of whom I had no knowledge will be my servants.

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.

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(not in this translation)

44From the time when my name comes to their ears they will be ruled by me: men of other countries will, with false hearts, put themselves under my authority.

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

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

45(not in this translation)

45They will be wasting away, they will come out of their secret places shaking with fear.

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

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

46(not in this translation)

46The Lord is living; praise be to my Rock, and let the God of my salvation be honoured.

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

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

47(not in this translation)

47It is God who sends punishment on my haters, and puts peoples under my rule.

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

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

48(not in this translation)

48He makes me free from my haters; I am lifted up over those who come up against me: you have made me free from the violent man.

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

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(not in this translation)

49Because of this I will give you praise, O Lord, among the nations, and will make a song of praise to your name.

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

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

50(not in this translation)

50Great salvation does he give to his king; he has mercy on the king of his selection, David, and on his seed for ever.

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

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