Psalms 18(17):2-3a.3bc-4.5-6.7.

I love you, O LORD, my strength, 

O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. 

My God, my rock of refuge, 

my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold! 

Praised be the LORD, I exclaim, 

and I am safe from my enemies. 

The breakers of death surged round about me, 

the destroying floods overwhelmed me; 

The cords of the nether world enmeshed me, 

the snares of death overtook me. 

In my distress I called upon the LORD 

and cried out to my God; 

From his temple he heard my voice, 

and my cry to him reached his ears.