Psalm 18 Verses 1 to 12

From the Knowing Jesus Study Bible New International Version


I love you, O LORD, my strength.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
I call to the LORD who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.

The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called to the LORD;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.

The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountain shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering
his canopy around him---
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
Out of the brightness of his presence clouds
advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

 

Psalm 17

The Knowing Jesus Study Bible New International Version

Hear, O LORD my righteous plea;
listen to my cry.
Give ear to my prayer---
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
May my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.

Though you probe my heart and 
examine me at night,
though you test me, you will
find nothing.
I have resolved that my mouth
will not sin.
As for the deeds of men---
by the word of your lips
I have kept myself from the
ways of the violent.
May steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

I call to you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand those who 
take refuge from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings from the
wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies.

They close up their callous hearts
and their mouths speak with arrogance.
They have tracked me down, they now 
surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me
to the ground.
They are like a lion hungry for prey like a 
great lion crouching in cover.


Rise up, O LORD, confront them,
bring them down;
rescue me from the wicked by your sword.
O LORD, by your hand save me from such men,
from men of this world whose reward is this life.


You still the hunger of those you cherish;
their sons have plenty,
and they store up wealth for their children.
And I---in righteousness I will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing
your likeness.
 

Psalm 16

The New Living Translation

Keep me safe, O God, 
for I have come to you for refuge.

I said to the LORD, "You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you."
The godly people in the land are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
Troubles multiply for those who chase after
other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.

LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup
of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!

I will bless the LORD who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the LORD is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right
beside me.

No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Psalm 15

From the Knowing Jesus Study Bible New International Version

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?

He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart
and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
who lends his money without usuary
and does not accept a bribe 
against the innocent.

He who does these things
will never be shaken. 

Psalm 14

The Knowing Jesus Study Bible New International Version

The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, their deeds vile;
there is no one who does good.

The LORD looks down from heaven
on the sons of men
to see if there is any who understand,
any who seek God.
All have turned aside,
they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.

Will evildoers never learn---
those who devour my people
as men eat bread and who do
not call on the LORD?
There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company
of the righteous.
You evildoers frustrate the plans of 
the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.

Oh, that salvation for Israel would
come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes
of his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 13

The Knowing Jesus Study Bible New International Version

How long, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and
every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes or I will sleep in death;
my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fail.

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, for he has been
good to me.