1 AND David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
7 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
14 The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay.
20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
21 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
25 Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
27 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
29 For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.
30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
32 For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?
33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
34 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
41 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.
43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
47 The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
48 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
49 And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
51 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

1And Dauid spake vnto the Lord the wordes of this song, in the day that the Lord had deliuered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul.

2And he said, The Lord is my rocke and my fortresse, and my deliuerer:

3The God of my rocke, in him will I trust: hee is my shield, and the horne of my saluation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Sauiour; thou sauest me from violence.

4I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saued from mine enemies.

5When the waues of death compassed me: the floods of vngodly men made me afraid.

6The sorowes of Hell compassed me about: the snares of death preuented me.

7In my distresse I called vpon the Lord, and cryed to my God, and hee did heare my voice out of his Temple, and my crie did enter into his eares.

8Then the earth shooke and trembled: the foundations of heauen mooued and shooke, because hee was wroth.

9There went vp a smoake out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth deuoured: coales were kindled by it.

10Hee bowed the heauens also and came downe: and darkenesse was vnder his feete.

11And he rode vpon a Cherub, and did flie: and hee was seene vpon the wings of the winde.

12And hee made darkenesse pauilions round about him, darke waters, and thicke clouds of the skies.

13Through the brightnesse before him, were coales of fire kindled.

14The Lord thundred from heauen: and the most high vttered his voice.

15And he sent out arrowes, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.

16And the channels of the Sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discouered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

17He sent from aboue, he tooke me: he drew me out of many waters.

18He deliuered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated mee: for they were too strong for me.

19They preuented me in the day of my calamitie: but the Lord was my stay.

20Hee brought me forth also into a large place: he deliuered me, because hee delighted in me.

21The Lord rewarded mee according to my righteousnesse: according to the cleannesse of my hands, hath hee recompensed me.

22For I haue kept the wayes of the Lord, and haue not wickedly departed from my God.

23For all his iudgements were before me: and as for his Statutes, I did not depart from them.

24I was also vpright before him: and haue kept my selfe from mine iniquitie.

25Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me, according to my righteousnesse: according to my cleannesse in his eye sight.

26With the merciful thou wilt shew thy selfe mercifull, and with the vpright man thou wilt shew thy selfe vpright.

27With the pure thou wilt shew thy selfe pure: and with the froward, thou wilt shew thy selfe vnsauoury.

28And the afflicted people thou wilt saue: but thine eyes are vpon the hautie, that thou mayest bring them downe.

29For thou art my lampe, O Lord: and the Lord wil lighten my darkenesse.

30For by thee I haue run through a troupe: by my God haue I leaped ouer a wall.

31As for God, his way is perfect, the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

32For who is God, saue the Lord ? and who is a rocke, saue our God?

33God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

34Hee maketh my feet like hindes feet: and setteth mee vpon my high places.

35He teacheth my hands to warre: so that a bow of steele is broken by mine armes.

36Thou hast also giuen mee the shield of thy saluation: and thy gentlenesse hath made me great.

37Thou hast enlarged my steps vnder me: so that my feet did not slip.

38I haue pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them: and turned not againe vntill I had consumed them.

39And I haue consumed them and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen vnder my feet.

40For thou hast girded mee with strength to battel: them that rose vp against me, hast thou subdued vnder me.

41Thou hast also giuen mee the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.

42They looked, but there was none to saue: euen vnto the Lord, but he answered them not.

43Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth: I did stampe them as the myre of the street, and did spread them abroad.

44Thou also hast deliuered mee from the striuings of my people, thou hast kept mee to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not, shall serue me.

45Strangers shall submit themselues vnto me: as soone as they heare, they shall be obedient vnto me.

46Strangers shall fade away: and they shall bee afraid out of their close places.

47The Lord liueth, and blessed be my rocke: and exalted be the God of the rocke of my saluation.

48It is God that auengeth mee, and that bringeth downe the people vnder me:

49And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted mee vp on high aboue them that rose vp against me: thou hast deliuered me from the violent man.

50Therefore I will giue thankes vnto thee, O Lord, among the heathen: and I will sing praises vnto thy Name.

51He is the towre of saluation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his Anointed, vnto Dauid, and to his seede for euermore.

I == Ex 15:1 ; Judg 5:1 ; Ps 34:19

II == Ps 18:2

III == Ps 9:9 ; 14:6 ; Prov 18:10 ; Luke 1:69

VI == Ps 116:3

VII == Ex 3:7 ; Ps 34:6 , 15 , 17 ; 116:4 ; 120:1 ; Jon 2:2

VIII == Judg 5:4 ; Ps 77:18 ; 97:4 ; Job 26:11

IX == Ps 97:3 ; Heb 3:5 ; Heb 12:29

X == Ex 20:21 ; 1st Kings 8:12 ; Ps 97:2 ; 144:5 ; Isa 64:1

XI == Ps 104:3

XII == 2nd Sam 22:10 ; Ps 97:2

XIII == 2nd Sam 22:9

XIV == 1st Sam 2:10 ; 7:10 ; Ps 29:3

XV == Deut 32:23 ; Ps 7:13 ; 77:17

XVI == Ps 74:1 ; 106:9

XVII == Ps 144:7

XVIII == 2nd Sam 22:1

XX == Ps 22:8

XXVI == Matt 5:7

XXVII == Ps 18:26

XXVIII == Ps 72:12-13 ; Isa 2:11-12 , 17 ; 5:15

XXIX == Job 29:3 ; Ps 27:1

XXXI == Deut 32:4 ; Ps 12:6 ; 119:140 ; Prov 30:5 ; Dan 4:37 ; Rev 15:3

XXXII == 1st Sam 2:2 ; Isa 45:5-6

XXXIII == Job 22:3 ; Ps 27:1 ; 28:7-8

XXXIV == 2nd Sam 2:18 ; Isa 33:16

XXXV == Ps 144:1

XXXVII == Prov 4:12

XXXIX == Mal 4:3

XL == Ps 18:32 , 39 Ps 44:5

XLI == Gen 49:8 ; Ex 23:27 ; Josh 10:24

XLII == Job 27:9 ; Prov 1:28

XLIII == 2nd Kings 13:7 ; Ps 35:5

XLIV == Deut 28:13 ; Ps 2:8 ; Isa 55:5

XLVI == Mic 7:17

XLVII == Ps 89:26

XLVIII == Ps 144:2

XLIX == Ps 140:1

LI == Ps 89:20 , 29

1 David sang the words of this song to the LORD when the LORD had rescued him from the grasp of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

2 This is what he sang: I "O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer,

3 my God, my rock of refuge! My shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, my savior, from violence you keep me safe.

4 'Praised be the LORD,' I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies.

5 "The breakers of death surged round about me, the floods of perdition overwhelmed me;

6 The cords of the nether world enmeshed me, the snares of death overtook me.

7 In my distress I called upon the LORD and cried out to my God; From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry reached his ears.  

8 "The earth swayed and quaked; the foundations of the heavens trembled and shook when his wrath flared up.

9 Smoke rose from his nostrils, and a devouring fire from his mouth; he kindled coals into flame.

10 He inclined the heavens and came down, with dark clouds under his feet.

11 He mounted a cherub and flew, borne on the wings of the wind.

12 He made darkness the shelter about him, with spattering rain and thickening clouds.

13 From the brightness of his presence coals were kindled to flame.

14 "The LORD thundered from heaven; the Most High gave forth his voice.

15 He sent forth arrows to put them to flight; he flashed lightning and routed them.

16 Then the wellsprings of the sea appeared, the foundations of the earth were laid bare, At the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the wind of his wrath.

17 "He reached out from on high and grasped me; he drew me out of the deep waters.

18 He rescued me from my mighty enemy, from my foes, who were too powerful for me.

19 They attacked me on my day of calamity, but the LORD came to my support.

20 He set me free in the open, and rescued me, because he loves me.

21 "The LORD rewarded me according to my justice; according to the cleanness of my hands he requited me.

22 For I kept the ways of the LORD and was not disloyal to my God.

23 For his ordinances were all present to me, and his statutes I put not from me;

24 But I was wholehearted toward him, and I was on my guard against guilt.

25 And the LORD requited me according to my justice, according to my innocence in his sight.

26 "Toward the faithful you are faithful; toward the wholehearted you are wholehearted;

27 Toward the sincere you are sincere; but toward the crooked you are astute.

28 You save lowly people, though on the lofty your eyes look down.

29 You are my lamp, O LORD! O my God, you brighten the darkness about me.

30 For with your aid I run against an armed band, and by the help of my God I leap over a wall.

31 God's way is unerring; the promise of the LORD is fire-tried; he is a shield to all who take refuge in him."  

32 "For who is God except the LORD? Who is a rock save our God?

33 The God who girded me with strength and kept my way unerring;

34 Who made my feet swift as those of hinds and set me on the heights;

35 Who trained my hands for war till my arms could bend a bow of brass.

36 "You have given me your saving shield, and your help has made me great.

37 You made room for my steps; unwavering was my stride.

38 I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, nor did I turn again till I made an end of them.

39 I smote them and they did not rise; they fell beneath my feet.

40 "You girded me with strength for war; you subdued my adversaries beneath me.

41 My enemies you put to flight before me and those who hated me I destroyed.

42 They cried for help-but no one saved them; to the LORD - but he answered them not.

43 I ground them fine as the dust of the earth; like the mud in the streets I trampled them down.

44 "You rescued me from the strife of my people; you made me head over nations. A people I had not known became my slaves;

45 as soon as they heard me, they obeyed.

46 The foreigners fawned and cringed before me; they staggered forth from their fortresses."

47 "The LORD live! And blessed be my Rock! Extolled be my God, rock of my salvation.

48 O God, who granted me vengeance, who made peoples subject to me

49 and helped me escape from my enemies, Above my adversaries you exalt me and from the violent man you rescue me.

50 Therefore will I proclaim you, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praise to your name,

51 You who gave great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed, to David and his posterity forever."

This Psalm is repeated in Psalm 18 with minor variations. This is probably the original poem, and it was edited later for public worship. David’s song of deliverance can also be considered a song of thanksgiving. Bible Knowledge by Zuck and Walford break it down almost as sermon titles:

The horn of my salvation: my strong savior. The horn, the dreadful weapon of an enraged bull, was a symbol of strength; Luke 1:69.

v 1-4 Extolling of the Lord.

v 2-4. In these verses David uses numerous words to show the greatness and glory of the Lord. Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Shield, Horn of Salvation, High Tower or Stronghold, Refuge and Savior.

V 5-6 These verses are to be understood figuratively.

V 7 His temple: his heavenly abode.

V 8-10 God's intervention is graphically portrayed under the figures of an earthquake (2 Sam 22:8,16) and a thunderstorm (2 Sam 22:9-15); Judges 5:4-5; Psalm 29;Psalm 97:2-6; Hebrews 3

V 11 He mounted a cherub: since God makes the winds his messengers, or "angels" (Psalm 104:4), he is spoken of poetically as riding on the clouds, or on the angelic creatures called "cherubim." His earthly throne above the ark of the covenant was likewise associated with two winged cherubim; Exodus 37:7-9. In both senses the Lord is enthroned upon the cherubim; Psalm 79:2; 99:1.

V 5-20 Exploits of the Lord. In these verses David refers first to God’s providential care for him, then His power over all the universe. Then David refers to his own deliverance by God with the terms, Reached down, Took hold, Drew out, Rescued, and Brought Out

V 21-30 EQUITY OF THE LORD: Here David shows how God has blessed him commensurate to David’s own righteousness. He is not making any reference to salvation by works, but he is pointing out that God many times blesses faithfulness in this life. The proud wicked, on the other hand in verse 28, cannot expect God’s favor. This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, so he avoids how we are sometimes frustrated at how the wicked prosper, Jer. 12:1.

V 26-27 Men are treated by God in the same way they treat him and their fellow men.

V 29 My lamp: a figure of life and happiness; 1 Kings 11:36.V 31-51 EXCELLENCE OF THE LORD: In this final section, David again speaks of the attributes of God, but in specific ways God has worked on his behalf. In verse 31 he gives a comprehensive view of God for all who put their trust in Him. Then he points out that God enabled him to subdue his enemies, but would not hear them when they called to Him. In 47-51 David recognizes the Lord as his Savior, and is assured by past blessings that God will bless him and his descendants in ways that will endure forever. 

V 34 The heights: a natural stronghold safe from attack; Psalm 62:3; Hebrews 3:19.