For the music director; by the Lord’s servant David, who sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul.

18:1 He said:

“I love you, Lord, my source of strength!

18:2 The Lord is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer. My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter, my shield, the horn that saves me, and my refuge.

18:3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was delivered from my enemies.

18:4 The waves of death engulfed me, the currents of chaos overwhelmed me.

18:5 The ropes of Sheol tightened around me, the snares of death trapped me.

18:6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried out to my God. From his heavenly temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help.

18:7 The earth heaved and shook; the roots of the mountains trembled; they heaved because he was angry.

18:8 Smoke ascended from his nose; fire devoured as it came from his mouth; he hurled down fiery coals.

18:9 He made the sky sink as he descended; a thick cloud was under his feet.

18:10 He mounted a winged angel and flew; he glided on the wings of the wind.

• Refer to Angels

18:11 He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds.

18:12 From the brightness in front of him came hail and fiery coals.

18:13 The Lord thundered in the sky; the Sovereign One shouted.

18:14 He shot his arrows and scattered them, many lightning bolts and routed them.

18:15The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions of the world were uncovered by your battle cry, Lord, by the powerful breath from your nose.

18:16 He reached down from above and grabbed me; he pulled me from the surging water.

18:17 He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me, for they were too strong for me.