Psalms 18. Diligam te, Domine.

1 I WILL love thee, O LORD, my strength. * The LORD is my stony rock, and my defence;
2 My Saviour, my God, and my might, in whom I will trust; * my buckler, the horn also of my salvation, and my refuge.
3 I will call upon the LORD, which is worthy to be praised; * so shall I be safe from mine enemies.
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, * and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid.
5 The pains of hell came about me; * the snares of death overtook me.
6 In my trouble I called upon the LORD, * and complained unto my God:
7 So he heard my voice out of his holy temple, * and my complaint came before him; it entered even into his ears.
8 The earth trembled and quaked, * the very foundations also of the hills shook, and were removed, because he was wroth.
9 There went a smoke out in his presence, * and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were kindled at it.
10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down, * and it was dark under his feet.
11 He rode upon the Cherubim, and did fly; * he came flying upon the wings of the wind.
12 He made darkness his secret place, * his pavilion round about him with dark water, and thick clouds to cover him.
13 At the brightness of his presence his clouds removed; * hailstones and coals of fire.
14 The LORD also thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder; * hailstones and coals of fire.
15 He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; * he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them.
16 The springs of waters were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered, * at thy chiding, O LORD, at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure.
17 He sent down from on high to fetch me, * and took me out of many waters.
18 He delivered me from my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me; * for they were too mighty for me.
19 They came upon me in the day of my trouble; * but the LORD was my upholder.
20 He brought me forth also into a place of liberty; * he brought me forth, even because he had a favour unto me.