Psalm 18:1-15
1
He said: I love you, LORD, my strength. 2
The LORD is my solid rock, my fortress, my rescuer. My God is my rock I take refuge in him! he’s my shield, my salvation’s strength, my place of safety. 3
Because he is praiseworthy, I cried out to the LORD, and I was saved from my enemies. 4
Death’s cords were wrapped around me; rivers of wickedness terrified me. 5
The cords of the grave surrounded me; death’s traps held me tight. 6
In my distress I cried out to the LORD; I called to my God for help. God heard my voice from his temple; I called to him for help, and my call reached his ears. 7
The earth rocked and shook; the bases of the mountains trembled and reeled because of God’s anger. 8
Smoke went up from God’s nostrils; out of his mouth came a devouring fire; flaming coals blazed out in front of him! 9
God parted the skies and came down; thick darkness was beneath his feet. 10
God mounted the heavenly creatures and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. 11
God made darkness cloak him; his covering was dark water and dense cloud. 12
God’s clouds went ahead of the brightness before him; hail and coals of fire went too. 13
The LORD thundered in heaven; the Most High made his voice heard with hail and coals of fire. 14
God shot his arrows, scattering the enemy; he sent the lightning and threw them into confusion. 15
The seabeds were exposed; the earth’s foundations were laid bare at your rebuke, LORD, at the angry blast of air coming from your nostrils.