NSB(i)
1 ([Psalm of David]) I love you, O Jehovah, my strength.
2 Jehovah is my rock and my fortress. He is my deliverer. He is my God and my crag, the one in whom I take refuge. He is my shield, and the strength of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 Jehovah should be praised. I called on him, and I was saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death surrounded me. The torrents of wickedness frightened me.
5 The cords of the grave surrounded me. The snares of death confronted me.
6 I called on Jehovah in my distress. I cried to my God for help. He heard my voice from his temple, and my cry for help reached his ears.
7 Then the earth shook and quaked. Even the foundations of the mountains trembled. They shook violently because he was angry.
8 Smoke went up from his nostrils. A raging fire came out of his mouth. Glowing coals were kindled by it.
9 He spread apart the heavens and came down with a dark cloud under his feet.
10 He rode on a cherub and he flew. Yes he did soar on the wings of the wind.
11 He made the darkness his hiding place, his pavilion round about, the dark rain clouds his covering.
12 Out of the brightness in front of him, those rain clouds passed by with hailstones and lightning.
13 Jehovah thundered in the heavens. The Most High made his voice heard with hailstones and lightning.
14 He shot his arrows and scattered them. He flashed streaks of lightning to agitate (disturb and trouble) them.
15 The ocean floor could be seen. The foundations of the earth were laid bare at your stern warning, O Jehovah, at the blast of the breath from your nostrils.
16 He reached down from high above and took hold of me. He pulled me out of the raging water.
17 He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, because they were too strong for me.
18 On the day of my calamity, they confronted me, and Jehovah came to my support.
19 He brought me out to a wide-open place. He rescued me because he was pleased with me.
20 Jehovah rewarded me because of my righteousness, because my hands are clean. He paid me back.
21 I have kept the ways of Jehovah and I have not wickedly turned away from my God.
22 All his judgments are in front of me and I have not turned away from his laws.
23 I was innocent as far as he was concerned. I have kept myself from guilt.
24 Jehovah paid me back because of my righteousness. He can see that my hands are clean.
25 In dealing with faithful people you are faithful. With innocent people you are innocent.
26 With pure people you are pure. In dealing with devious people you are clever.
27 You save humble people, but you humiliate the proud.
28 O Jehovah, you light my lamp. My God turns my darkness into light.
29 With you I can attack a line of soldiers. With my God I can break through barricades.
30 God's way is perfect! The word of Jehovah has proven to be true. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.
31 Who is God but Jehovah? Who is a rock except our God?
32 God arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet sure-footed on high places just like those of a deer.
34 He trains my hands for battle so that my arms can bend an archer's bow of bronze.
35 You have given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand supports me. Your gentleness (humility) (meekness) makes me great.
36 You make a wide path for me to walk on so that my feet do not slip.
37 I chased my enemies and caught up with them. I did not return until I had ended their lives.
38 I wounded them so badly that they were unable to get up. They fell under my feet.
39 You armed me with strength for battle. You made my opponents bow at my feet.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me. I destroyed those who hated me.
41 They cried out for help, but there was no one to save them. They cried out to Jehovah, but he did not answer them.
42 I beat them into powder as fine as the dust blown by the wind. I threw them out as though they were dirt on the streets.
43 You rescued me from my conflicts with the people. You made me the leader of nations. A people I did not know will serve me:
44 As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me. Foreigners will cringe in front of me.
45 Foreigners will lose heart (lose courage). They will tremble when they come out of their fortifications.
46 Jehovah lives! Blessed is my rock! Praise the God of my salvation.
47 God gives me vengeance! He brings people under my authority.
48 He saves me from my enemies. You lift me up above my opponents. You rescue me from violent people.
49 That is why I will give thanks to you, O Jehovah, among the nations and make music to praise your name.
50 He gives great victories to his king. He shows mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his descendants forever.