David Sings Praises to the LORD
1 David sang the words of this song to the Lord. He sang them when the LORD saved him from the powerful hand of all of his enemies and of Saul.
2
He said, "The LORD is my rock and my fort. He is the One who saves me.
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My God is my rock. I go to him for safety. He is like a shield to me. He's the power that saves me. He's my place of safety. I go to him for help. He's my Savior. He saves me from those who want to hurt me.
4
I call out to the Lord. He is worthy of praise. He saves me from my enemies.
5
"The waves of death were all around me. A destroying flood swept over me.
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The ropes of the grave were tight around me. Death set its trap in front of me.
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When I was in trouble I called out to the Lord. I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice. My cry for help reached his ears.
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"The earth trembled and shook. The pillars of the heavens rocked back and forth. They trembled because the LORD was angry.
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Smoke came out of his nose. Flames of fire came out of his mouth. Burning coals blazed out of it.
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He opened the heavens and came down. Dark clouds were under his feet.
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He got on the cherubim and flew. The wings of the wind lifted him up.
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He covered himself with darkness. The dark rain clouds of the sky were like a tent around him.
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From the brightness that was all around him flashes of lightning blazed out.
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The LORD thundered from heaven. The voice of the Most High God was heard.
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He shot his arrows and scattered our enemies. He sent flashes of lightning and chased the enemies away.
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The bottom of the sea could be seen. The foundations of the earth were uncovered. It happened when the LORD's anger blazed out. It came like a blast of breath from his nose.
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"He reached down from heaven. He took hold of me. He lifted me out of deep waters.
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He saved me from my powerful enemies. He set me free from those who were too strong for me.
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They stood up to me when I was in trouble. But the LORD helped me.
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He brought me out into a wide and safe place. He saved me because he was pleased with me.
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"The LORD has been good to me because I do what is right. He has rewarded me because I lead a pure life.
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I have lived the way the LORD wanted me to. I haven't done evil by turning away from my God.
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I keep all of his laws in mind. I haven't turned away from his commands.
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He knows that I am without blame. He knows I've kept myself from sinning.
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The LORD has rewarded me for doing what is right. He has rewarded me because I haven't done anything wrong.
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"Lord, to those who are faithful you show that you are faithful. To those who are without blame you show that you are without blame.
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To those who are pure you show that you are pure. But to those whose paths are crooked you show that you are clever.
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You save those who aren't proud. But you watch the proud to bring them down.
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Lord, you are my lamp. You bring light into my darkness.
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With your help I can attack a troop of soldiers. With the help of my God I can climb over a wall.
31
"God's way is perfect. The word of the LORD doesn't have any flaws. He is like a shield to all who go to him for safety.
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Who is God except the Lord? Who is the Rock except our God?
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God gives me strength for the battle. He makes my way perfect.
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He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He helps me stand on the highest places.
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He trains my hands to fight every battle. My arms can bend a bow of bronze.
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Lord, you are like a shield that keeps me safe. You help me win the battle. You bend down to make me great.
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You give me a wide path to walk in so that I don't twist my ankles.
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"I chased my enemies and crushed them. I didn't turn back until they were destroyed.
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I crushed them completely so that they couldn't get up. They fell under my feet.
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Lord, you gave me strength to fight the battle. You made my enemies bow down at my feet.
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You made them turn their backs and run away. So I destroyed my enemies.
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They cried out for help. But there was no one to save them. They called out to you. But you didn't answer them.
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I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth. I pounded them and walked on them like mud in the streets.
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"You saved me when my own people attacked me. You have kept me as the ruler over nations. People I didn't know serve me now.
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People from other lands bow down to me in fear. As soon as they hear me, they obey me.
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All of them give up hope. They come trembling out of their hiding places.
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"The LORD lives! Give praise to my Rock! Give honor to God, the Rock! He is my Savior!
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He is the God who pays my enemies back. He brings the nations under my control.
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He sets me free from my enemies. You have honored me more than them. You have saved me from men who want to hurt me.
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Lord, I will praise you among the nations. I will sing praises to you.
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You help me win great battles. You show your faithful love to your anointed king. You show it to me and my family forever."
