2 Samuel 22:1-20

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,^(B)
3     my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
    my stronghold and my refuge,
    my savior; you save me from violence.^(C)
4 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.^(D)

⁵ For the waves of death encompassed me;
    the torrents of perdition assailed me;^(E)
6 the cords of Sheol entangled me;
    the snares of death confronted me.^(F)

⁷ In my distress I called upon the Lord;
    to my God I called.
From his temple he heard my voice,
    and my cry came to his ears.^(G)

⁸ Then the earth reeled and rocked;
    the foundations of the heavens trembled
    and reeled because he was angry.^(H)
9 Smoke went up from his nostrils
    and devouring fire from his mouth;
    glowing coals flamed forth from him.^(I)
10 He bowed the heavens and came down;
    thick darkness was under his feet.^(J)
11 He rode on a cherub and flew;
    he was seen upon the wings of the wind.^(K)
12 He made darkness around him a canopy,
    thick clouds, a gathering of water.^(L)
13 Out of the brightness before him
    coals of fire flamed forth.
¹⁴ The Lord thundered from heaven;
    the Most High uttered his voice.^(M)
15 He sent out arrows and scattered them,
    lightning and routed them.
¹⁶ Then the channels of the sea were seen;
    the foundations of the world were laid bare
at the rebuke of the Lord,
    at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.^(N)

¹⁷ He reached from on high; he took me;
    he drew me out of mighty waters.^(O)
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
    from those who hated me,
    for they were too mighty for me.
¹⁹ They came upon me in the day of my calamity,
    but the Lord was my stay.^(P)
20 He brought me out into a broad place;
    he delivered me because he delighted in me.^(Q)