Psalms 18:25-50

Good people will taste your goodness. And to those who are loyal to you, you love to prove that you are loyal and true. And for those who are purified, they find you always pure. But you’ll outwit the crooked and cunning with your craftiness. To the humble you bring heaven’s deliverance, but the proud and haughty you disregard. God, all at once you turned on a floodlight for me! You are the revelation-light in my darkness, and in your brightness I can see the path ahead. With you as my strength I can crush an enemy horde, advancing through every stronghold that stands in front of me. YAHWEH, what a perfect God you are! All YAHWEH’s promises have proven true. What a secure shelter for all those who turn to hide themselves in you, the wraparound God. Could there be any other god like YAHWEH? For there is not a more secure foundation than you. God, you have wrapped me in power and made my way perfect. Through you I ascend to the highest peaks to stand strong and secure in you. You’ve trained me with the weapons of warfare-worship; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You empower me for victory with your wraparound presence. Your power within makes me strong to subdue. By stooping down in gentleness, you made me great! You’ve set me free, and now I’m standing complete, ready to fight some more! I caught up with my enemies and conquered them and didn’t turn back until the war was won! I smashed them to pieces and I finished them once and for all; they’re as good as dead. You’ve placed your armor upon me and made my enemies bow low at my feet. You’ve made them all turn tail and run, for through you I’ve destroyed them all! They shouted for help, but no one dared to rescue them. They cried out to YAHWEH, but he refused to answer them. So I pulverized them to powder and cast them to the wind. I swept them away like dirt on the floor. You gave me victory on every side, for you make me a leader of nations. Even those I’ve never heard of come and bow at my feet. As soon as they heard of me they submitted to me. Even the rebel foreigners obey my every word. Their rebellion fades away as they come near; trembling in their strongholds, they come crawling out of their hideouts, cringing in fear before me. YAHWEH lives! Praise is lifted high to the unshakable God! Towering over all, my Savior-God is worthy to be praised! Look how he pays back harm to all who harm me, subduing all who come against me. He rescues me from my enemies; he lifts me up high and keeps me out of reach, far from the grasp of my violent foe. So I thank you, YAHWEH, with my praises! I will sing my song to the highest God, so all among the nations will hear me. You have given me, your king, great victories. You’ve always been tender and kind to me, your anointed one, your loving servant, David, and to all my descendants!