Psalm 18

The Lord Is My Rock and My Fortress

1 I a WILL love You, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my 1 strength, b in whom I will trust;
My shield and the 2 horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the LORD, c who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

4 d The pangs of death surrounded me,
And the floods of 3 ungodliness made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.

6 In my distress I called upon the LORD,
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

7 e Then the earth shook and trembled;
The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken,
Because He was angry. 8 Smoke went up from His nostrils,
And devouring fire from His mouth;
Coals were kindled by it. 9 f He bowed the heavens also, and came down
With darkness under His feet. 10 g And He rode upon a cherub, and flew;
h He flew upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness His secret place;
i His canopy around Him was dark waters
And thick clouds of the skies. 12 j From the brightness before Him,
His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire.

13 The LORD thundered from heaven,
And the Most High uttered k His voice,
4 Hailstones and coals of fire. 14 l He sent out His arrows and scattered 5 the foe,
Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them. 15 Then the channels of the sea were seen,
The foundations of the world were uncovered
At Your rebuke, O LORD,
At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

16 m He sent from above, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the LORD was my support. 19 n He also brought me out into a broad place;
He delivered me because He delighted in me.

20 o The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands
He has recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD,
And have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all His judgments were before me,
And I did not put away His statutes from me. 23 I was also blameless 6 before Him,
And I kept myself from my iniquity. 24 p Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.

25 q With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;
With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; 26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
And r with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. 27 For You will save the humble people,
But will bring down s haughty looks. 28 t For You will light my lamp;
The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 29 For by You I can 7 run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall. 30 As for God, u His way is perfect;
v The word of the LORD is 8 proven;
He is a shield w to all who trust in Him.

31 x For who is God, except the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God? 32 It is God who y arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect. 33 z He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And a sets me on my high places. 34 b He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great. 36 You enlarged my path under me,
c So my feet did not slip. 37 I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them;
Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. 38 I have wounded them,
So that they could not rise;
They have fallen under my feet. 39 For You have armed me with strength for the battle;
You have 9 subdued under me those who rose up against me. 40 You have also given me the necks of my enemies,
So that I destroyed those who hated me. 41 They cried out, but there was none to save;
d Even to the LORD, but He did not answer them. 42 Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind;
I e cast them out like dirt in the streets.

43 You have delivered me from the strivings of the people;
f You have made me the head of the 10 nations;
g A people I have not known shall serve me. 44 As soon as they hear of me they obey me;
The foreigners 11 submit to me. 45 h The foreigners fade away,
And come frightened from their hideouts.

46 The LORD lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted. 47 It is God who avenges me,
i And subdues the peoples under me; 48 He delivers me from my enemies.
j You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
You have delivered me from the violent man.

49 k Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the 12 Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name. 50 l Great deliverance He gives to His king,
And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his 13 descendants forevermore.

  1. Cross References
    Psalms 144:1
    Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle -
  2. Cross References
    Hebrews 2:13
    And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 76:4
    You are more glorious and excellent Than the mountains of prey.
    Revelation 5:12
    Saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 116:3
    The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 4:31
    And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
  6. Cross References
    Psalms 144:5
    Bow down Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
  7. Cross References
    Psalms 80:1
    Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!
    Psalms 99:1
    The LORD reigns; Let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved!
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 104:3
    He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind.
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 97:2
    Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 97:3
    A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about.
    Psalms 140:10
    Let burning coals fall upon them; Let them be cast into the fire, Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
    Habakkuk 3:11
    The sun and moon stood still in their habitation; At the light of Your arrows they went, At the shining of Your glittering spear.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 29:3 - 9
    The voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters.
    Psalms 104:7
    At Your rebuke they fled; At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away.
  12. Cross References
    Joshua 10:10
    So the LORD routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
    Psalms 144:6
    Flash forth lightning and scatter them; Shoot out Your arrows and destroy them.
    Isaiah 30:30
    The LORD will cause His glorious voice to be heard, And show the descent of His arm, With the indignation of His anger And the flame of a devouring fire, With scattering, tempest, and hailstones.
    Habakkuk 3:11
    The sun and moon stood still in their habitation; At the light of Your arrows they went, At the shining of Your glittering spear.
  13. Cross References
    Psalms 144:7
    Stretch out Your hand from above; Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, From the hand of foreigners.
  14. Cross References
    Psalms 4:1
    Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
    Psalms 31:8
    And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.
    Psalms 118:5
    I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
  15. Cross References
    1 Samuel 24:19
    For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.
    Job 33:26
    He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness.
    Psalms 7:8
    The LORD shall judge the peoples; Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me.
  16. Cross References
    1 Samuel 26:23
    May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed.
    Psalms 18:20
    The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
  17. Cross References
    1 Kings 8:32
    Then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.
    Psalms 62:12
    Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.
    Matthew 5:7
    Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
  18. Cross References
    Leviticus 26:23 - 28
    And if by these things you are not reformed by Me, but walk contrary to Me.
    Proverbs 3:34
    Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.
  19. Cross References
    Psalms 101:5
    Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.
    Proverbs 6:17
    A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood.
  20. Cross References
    1 Kings 15:4
    Nevertheless for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem.
    Job 18:6
    The light is dark in his tent, And his lamp beside him is put out.
    Psalms 119:105
    Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
  21. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:4
    He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.
    Revelation 15:3
    They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!
  22. Cross References
    Psalms 12:6
    The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.
    Psalms 119:140
    Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it.
    Proverbs 30:5
    Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
  23. Cross References
    Psalms 17:7
    Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them.
  24. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:31
    For their rock is not like our Rock, Even our enemies themselves being judges.
    Deuteronomy 32:39
    Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
    1 Samuel 2:2
    No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.
    Psalms 86:8 - 10
    Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works.
    Isaiah 45:5
    I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me.
  25. Cross References
    Psalms 91:2
    I will say of the LORD, " He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.
  26. Cross References
    2 Samuel 2:18
    Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle.
    Habakkuk 3:19
    The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.
  27. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:13
    He made him ride in the heights of the earth, That he might eat the produce of the fields; He made him draw honey from the rock, And oil from the flinty rock.
    Deuteronomy 33:29
    Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places.
  28. Cross References
    Psalms 144:1
    Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle -
  29. Cross References
    Psalms 66:9
    Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.
    Proverbs 4:12
    When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.
  30. Cross References
    Job 27:9
    Will God hear his cry When trouble comes upon him?
    Proverbs 1:28
    Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
    Isaiah 1:15
    When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
    Ezekiel 8:18
    "Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them."
    Zechariah 7:13
    Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen," says the LORD of hosts.
  31. Cross References
    Zechariah 10:5
    They shall be like mighty men, Who tread down their enemies In the mire of the streets in the battle. They shall fight because the LORD is with them, And the riders on horses shall be put to shame.
  32. Cross References
    2 Samuel 8:1
    After this it came to pass that David attacked the Philistines and subdued them. And David took Metheg Ammah from the hand of the Philistines.
    Psalms 89:27
    Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth.
  33. Cross References
    Isaiah 52:15
    So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.
  34. Cross References
    Micah 7:17
    They shall lick the dust like a serpent; They shall crawl from their holes like snakes of the earth. They shall be afraid of the LORD our God, And shall fear because of You.
  35. Cross References
    Psalms 47:3
    He will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet.
  36. Cross References
    Psalms 27:6
    And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
    Psalms 59:1
    Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Defend me from those who rise up against me.
  37. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:50
    Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name.
    Romans 15:9
    And that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.
  38. Cross References
    2 Samuel 7:12
    When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
    Psalms 21:1
    The king shall have joy in Your strength, O LORD; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
    Psalms 144:10
    The One who gives salvation to kings, Who delivers David His servant From the deadly sword.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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