I love You, Lord, my citadel of strength!
My refuge of might with height, width, and length.
My rock, my shield, my fortress and my keep.
My horn of my salvation when I sleep.
I sought our everlasting God with praise.
From all my enemies now I am saved.
While frightful cords of death entangled me
And floods of fear engulfed my liberty
Then ropes of Sheol tightened over me
And deathly snares and traps were dug to sting,
I called in such distress upon the Lord!
I sought His help while trapped within the cords.
Within His temple, yes, my voice was heard.
His ears received my crying heavenward.
The Earth then shivered and quivered and quaked,
And mountain roots did shake themselves awake!
They heaved and trembled from his burning wrath
For smoke rose from His nostrils fiery path.
His mouth expelled the kindled flames of fire
Ignited by His blazing coals of ire.
The heavens split and bowed – and He came down!
And storm clouds covered His feet like a gown.
Upon the backs of cherubim He flew,
On wings of wind He soared in His pursuit.
He secreted Himself in darkest shrouds,
Within the watery thickness of clouds.
There, deep inside the dark His glory glowed
As stones of hail and bolts of lightning flowed.
Our Lord so thundered long in heaven’s heights,
Resounding earthward His righteous war cries!
He shot His arrows, scattering my foes
And vanquished them with His great lightning blows!
Below, unveiled, sat deep dark ocean floors
And lands exposed and ruptured to their cores.
They broke upon the sound of God’s approach
And blast of breath that spoke of His reproach.
My God stretched forth His hand for I did weep.
He caught and rescued me from waters deep,
From frightful enemies who long to hate,
From fearsome foes who would reshape my fate.
They challenged me in days I faced much fear,
But God did save in might for He drew near!
He carried me to places broad and bright;
God rescued me for I was His delight!
His ways — my Lord has seen that I obeyed
And smiled that I should be repaid!
For I have kept the righteous routes of God,
Rejecting ways I vowed I would not trod.
Before my God, I shall live blamelessly,
Withholding my hands from iniquity.
Therefore, my Lord has seen that I obeyed
His words and smiled that I should be repaid.
To those with faith, You show Your own great faith.
To those upright, You show you have not blame.
To all those pure, You show Your great repute.
To those unwise, You show Yourself astute.
You rescue us, the humble whose oppressed.
The haughty’s pride? You’ll see that it’s suppressed.
The lamp before me, Lord, yes, You do light.
My God fuels my lamp in the darkest night.
With You, I can charge an enemy’s keep,
And over walls my God will let me leap.
Our God, His ways are perfect and divine.
His words are wonderful, tried, and refined.
To those who seek His refuge: He is steeled!
He so surrounds His people as a shield!
For who is God except the great I AM?
Who could be our rock but the great I AM?
My God has girded me with strength and might.
He eyes my ways secure within His sight.
He makes my feet the feet of mountain deer.
I stand on highest peaks and cliffsides sheer.
He trains my hands to battle with my foe,
My arms to bend and string my King’s bronze bow.
The shield of Your salvation I’ve obtained.
Within Your gentle right hand I’m sustained.
Within Your meek and gentle hand I’m great.
Oh, see the broad path that God does create
So that my feet and ankles shall not slip
When I pursue my foes whom I outstrip.
I could not stop the chase til each destroyed.
I crushed them so they could not be deployed.
My enemies did fall beneath my feet
For You ordained today’s battle-field meet!
Some came, some bowed, and those were stripped of pride.
Some turned their necks and fled with fearful strides.
To all who hated me, you’ve met your end.
You cry but no saving hand will extend.
Not even out Lord’s! He refused to hear!
You are windblown dust I ground, crushed, and smeared.
I cast you out as dirt upon the streets —
My victory above all their maltreats.
You make me king of nations all around.
A people I know not to me are bound,
And once they hear my voice, they do submit.
They cower like the men who have no wit.
These foreign folks lose courage like a scourge.
From forts they come with fear when they emerge.
The Lord’s alive! And blessėd be the Rock!
My God of my salvation I exalt!
My God is the one who avenges me,
Subduing my enemies under me.
Who rescues me from my enemies’ throes,
Exalting me above my wicked foes,
Delivering me from such violent men.
Therefore, my thanks my praise will have no end!
Among the nations I will praise Your Name!
He grants His king great victory and fame.
Indeed, His great unfailing love He pours
On David and his Son forevermore!
Jared Travis 