Psalm 18:1–6

1 I love you, Lord;

you are my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,

and my place of safety.

3 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,

and he saved me from my enemies.

4 The ropes of death entangled me;

floods of destruction swept over me.

5 The grave* wrapped its ropes around me;

death laid a trap in my path.

6 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;

yes, I prayed to my God for help.

He heard me from his sanctuary;

my cry to him reached his ears.