METRICAL VERSION OF PS. XVIII.
By Editor
1 Thee will I love, O Lord, my strength; 2 For thou my rock and fortress art,
My great deliverer at length,
On whom I lean my trusting heart.
A buckler hast thou proved to me,
And my salvation's horn of power,
My God my strength, I trust in thee,
My refuge and my lofty tower. 3 On thee with fervor will I call;
For thou art worthy of our praise;
So 'neath my foes I ne'er shall fall,
Nor reap the vengeance of their ways. 4 The pall and sorrows of the grave,
Around me threw their mantle drear,
Belial's hosts, a mighty wave,
O'erwhelmed my shrinking heart with fear. 5 The cords of hell confined me fast,
The snares of death prevented me; 6 In my distress on God I cast
My helpless penitential plea.
He heard me from his throne on high,
Within his temple came my voice,
His ears were open to my cry,
He bade my waiting heart rejoice. 7 Then shook the earth through all her frame,
Hills from their bases broad were hurled,
They trembled, for Jehovah came
To smite in wrath a guilty world. 8 A smoke from out his nostrils went,
His mouth shot forth devouring flame,
His glittering coals abroad were sent, 9 He bowed the heavens and downward came.
Darkness was spread beneath his feet; 10 Upon a cherub's wings he rode;
Yea, wings of wind were coursers fleet,
To bear their mighty Lord abroad. 11 Darkness he made his secret place,
And like pavilion o'er him spread,
Dark waters and thick clouds encase
The path that feels Jehovah's tread. 12 Before his beams the clouds remove,
Hail stones and coals, a fiery shower, 13 He thundered in the heavens above,
The Highest gave his voice in power. 14 His arrows scattered wide his foes,
He shot them with his lightnings keen, 15 The watery depths did he disclose,
And earth's foundations deep were seen.
They were discovered at thy word,
At thy rebuke O Lord of hosts,
Thy nostril's blast at once they heard,
And answered through their lowest coasts. 16 His angels from above he sent,
Out of great waters drew me forth, 17 Kept me from my strong foe's intent,
And those who with my soul were wroth. 18 In my distress they pressed me sore,
But God arose my stay to be, 19 In a large place I stood once more,
Delivered, through his love to me. 20 My righteousness brought its reward,
My purity its recompense; 21 For in the counsels of the Lord,
I walked, nor once departed thence. 22 His judgments were before my face,
His statutes I put not away, 23 Firmly I kept a holy place,
And let not wickedness bear sway. 24 So God my recompense hath been,
According as my deeds were right,
According as my hands were clean
In his all-searching holy sight.