Psalm 18 (Rhyming)

[Image by Alok Ranjan Art]

I love you, oh Lord; my strength comes from thee,
A savior and fortress you are to me.
My God and my rock, I shelter in you,
Strengthen and shield me you will always do.
I call to the Lord; he's worthy of praise,
And then I'm saved from my enemies' ways.

Death's rope wraps me up—I am surrounded,
This flood of evil has me confounded.
The underworld's cords: they strangulate me,
Death sets up its snares and they await me.
I called on the Lord 'cause I was dismayed,
I cried to my God asking for his aid.
From the Lord's temple God heard my voice sound,
In Jehovah's ears my cry did resound.

The whole earth trembles; the world starts to quake,
Mountains' foundations: they shudder and shake.
It all shakes because God's anger's awake.
Out of his nostrils smoke comes pouring out,
And out of his mouth fire starts to spout.
He lights coals ablaze; flames burning throughout.
God split the heavens, then he descended,
Under his feet dark clouds are suspended.
On an angel's back is how my God flew,
On the spirit's wings he came speeding through.
Hidden in darkness he flew out of sight,
Dark and heavy clouds hid him on his flight.
All the sunshine fled—his clouds were sprawling,
Fiery coals and hail had started falling.
God thundered his voice from up in the sky,
Firey coals and hail fell from the Most High.
He set his arrows free; they scattered around,
They flash like lightning, making lots of sound.
Then streams of water suddenly appear,
And the world's foundations are then wiped clear.
As God's reprimand, the world is laid bare,
As his spirit breathes and his nostrils flare.

From his altitude the Lord snatched me out,
He pulled me away from dangers throughout.
He rescued me from my fierce enemy,
From hateful foes who were stronger than me.
They met me during my calamity,
But the Existing One supported me.
He saves me and brings me to a clearing,
He looks at me and finds me endearing.

God has repaid me for my righteousness,
He brought my soul back for my innocence.
I've been following God's ways all along,
So God declared me as not in the wrong.
In front of my face the Lord's laws were staged,
I won't reject them or be disengaged.
In God's eyes my innocence was maintained,
From iniquity I always abstained.
So God brought me back for being upright,
Since my hands were clean in Jehovah's sight.

With kind people you are kind.
With solid people you are solid.
With pure people you are pure.
And with corrupt people you are shrewd.
You rescue people who are in distress,
But with the prideful the Lord will repress.
The lantern I hold is kindled by you,
Brighten my darkness like you always do.
You empower me to make squadrons fall,
God enables me to scale a wall.

God's way is solid; his word: tried and true,
Shielding whoever takes refuge in you.
He's the only God in operation,
He's the only rock—a real foundation.
The Lord's mighty strength encompasses me,
My life feels complete only 'cause of thee.
As with deer he guides my steps' formation,
He lifts me up to high elevations.
The Lord trains my hands for battle and war,
Now I shoot bronze bows like never before
You always shield me with your salvation.
Your hand always serves as my foundation.
Your gentleness grows my reputation.
You support my steps from underneath me,
My feet have not slipped with you beneath me.

To my enemies I pursued and chased,
I didn't come home 'til they were erased.
I struck 'til they couldn't stand anymore,
They fell at my feet flat onto the floor.
For war you clothed me with strength like a gown,
Foes stood up to me, but you brought them down.
You handed me my enemy's blindspot,
Those who hated me received an onslaught.
"Someone come help us!" is what they all cried,
But God didn't help—none even replied.
I pulverized them into grains of sand,
And poured them into the streets of the land.

You have rescued me from man's frustrations,
You placed me on top of all the nations.
Foreigners serve me as their vocations.
As soon as I speak they're quick to obey,
They freely submit to words that I say.
All other countries are quick to bow down,
Trembling, they exit their fortified towns.

Bless the living God; he's my foundation,
He rescues my soul; give exaltation.
This God executes vengeance for my soul,
He declares nations under my control.
He rescues me from my opposition,
Lifting me higher than their position,
Rescuing me from the acquisition.
In front of nations I'll give thanks to thee.
So now I'll thank you in front of nations,
I'll sing praises to your reputation.
Great deliverance: God gives his king tons,
God is good and kind to his chosen one,
God's good to David and all of his sons.