David's Song of Deliverance

(Exodus 15:1-21)

1David spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:

2and he said, "Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;

3God, my rock, in him I will take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence.

4I will call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from my enemies.

5For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

6The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death caught me.

7In my distress I called on Yahweh. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry [came] into his ears.

8Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.

9Smoke went up out of his nostrils. Fire out of his mouth devoured. Coals were kindled by it.

10He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.

11He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he was seen on the wings of the wind.

12He made darkness pavilions around himself: gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

13At the brightness before him, coals of fire were kindled.

14Yahweh thundered from heaven. The Most High uttered his voice.

15He sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and confused them.

16Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of Yahweh, At the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

17He sent from on high and he took me. He drew me out of many waters.

18He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

19They came on me in the day of my calamity, but Yahweh was my support.

20He also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.

21Yahweh rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.

22For I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

23For all his ordinances were before me. As for his statutes, I did not depart from them.

24I was also perfect toward him. I kept myself from my iniquity.

25Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in his eyesight.

26With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.

27With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.

28You will save the afflicted people, But your eyes are on the haughty, that you may bring them down.

29For you are my lamp, Yahweh. Yahweh will light up my darkness.

30For by you, I run against a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall.

31As for God, his way is perfect. The word of Yahweh is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

32For who is God, besides Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God?

33God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect.

34He makes his feet like hinds' [feet], and sets me on my high places.

35He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of brass.

36You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness has made me great.

37You have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.

38I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn't turn again until they were consumed.

39I have consumed them, and struck them through, so that they can't arise. Yes, they have fallen under my feet.

40For you have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

41You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.

42They looked, but there was none to save; even to Yahweh, but he didn't answer them.

43Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth. I crushed them as the mire of the streets, and spread them abroad.

44You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people. You have kept me to be the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.

45The foreigners will submit themselves to me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.

46The foreigners will fade away, and will come trembling out of their close places.

47Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,

48even the God who executes vengeance for me, who brings down peoples under me,

49who brings me away from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.

50Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations. Will sing praises to your name.

51He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his seed, forevermore."