
TORAH
NEVI'IM
KETUVIM
II - Chapter 22
Translation and Transliteration of
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1David addressed the words of this song to Hashem, after Hashem had saved him from the hands of all his enemies and from the hands of Shaul.
vai-da-BAYR da-VEED la-a-do-NAI et di-v'-RAY ha-shee-RA ha-ZOT, b'-YOM hit-TSEEL a-do-NAI o-TO mi-KAF kol o-y'-VA-vav u-mi-KAF sha-UL
אוַיְדַבֵּ֤ר דָּוִד֙ לַיהֹוָ֔ה אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֖י הַשִּׁירָ֣ה הַזֹּ֑את בְּיוֹם֩ הִצִּ֨יל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֹת֛וֹ מִכַּ֥ף כׇּל־אֹיְבָ֖יו וּמִכַּ֥ף שָׁאֽוּל׃
2He said: Hashem, my crag, my fastness, my deliverer!
va-YO-mar, a-do-NAI sal-EE u-m'-tzu-da-TEE u-m'-fal-TEE-LEE
בוַיֹּאמַ֑ר יְהֹוָ֛ה סַֽלְעִ֥י וּמְצֻדָתִ֖י וּמְפַלְטִי־לִֽי׃
3O Hashem, the rock wherein I take shelter: My shield, my mighty champion, my fortress and refuge! My savior, You who rescue me from violence!
e-lo-HAY tzu-REE e-khe-seh BO ma-gi-NEE v'-KE-ren yish-EE mis-ga-BEE um-nu-SEE mo-shi-EE may-kha-MAS to-shi-AY-nee
גאֱלֹהֵ֥י צוּרִ֖י אֶחֱסֶה־בּ֑וֹ מָגִנִּ֞י וְקֶ֣רֶן יִשְׁעִ֗י מִשְׂגַּבִּי֙ וּמְנוּסִ֔י מֹשִׁעִ֕י מֵחָמָ֖ס תֹּשִׁעֵֽנִי׃
22:3 O Hashem, the rock wherein I take shelter
At various points in this chapter, King David refers to Hashem as “my rock.” Rashi notes that a rock represents both strength and protection, as rocks can protect travelers from the wind and rain. It is interesting to note that the State of Israel’s Declaration of Independence invokes divine protection by use of the phrase, “placing our trust in the Rock of Israel.” Hashem’s help would indeed be necessary to establish an independent, free, democratic Jewish State in the Land of Israel that would be able to absorb Jews from around the world. Thankfully, the Rock of Israel continues to strengthen and protect the State of Israel.

Israel’s declaration of independence

PM David Ben Gurion signing the Declaration of Independence
4All praise! I called on Hashem, And I was delivered from my enemies.
m'-hu-LAL ek-RA a-do-NAI u-m'-o-y'-VAI i-vu-SHE-a
דמְהֻלָּ֖ל אֶקְרָ֣א יְהֹוָ֑ה וּמֵאֹיְבַ֖י אִוָּשֵֽׁעַ׃
5For the breakers of Death encompassed me, The torrents of Belial terrified me;
ki a-FA-fu-NEE mish-be-REI ma-VET, na-cha-LEI ve-lee-YA-al ye-va-a-TU-nee
הכִּ֥י אֲפָפֻ֖נִי מִשְׁבְּרֵי־מָ֑וֶת נַחֲלֵ֥י בְלִיַּ֖עַל יְבַעֲתֻֽנִי׃
6The snares of Sheol encircled me, The coils of Death engulfed me.
khev-LEI she-OHL sa-BU-nee, kid-MU-nee mokh-SHEI ma-VET
וחֶבְלֵ֥י שְׁא֖וֹל סַבֻּ֑נִי קִדְּמֻ֖נִי מֹ֥קְשֵׁי מָֽוֶת׃
7In my anguish I called on Hashem, Cried out to my God; In His Abode He heard my voice, My cry entered His ears.
ba-TZAR-li e-k'RA a-do-NAI v'-el e-lo-HAI e-k'RA, va-YISH-ma me-he-KHA-lo KO-li v'-sha-va-TI b'-o-z'-NAV
זבַּצַּר־לִי֙ אֶקְרָ֣א יְהֹוָ֔ה וְאֶל־אֱלֹהַ֖י אֶקְרָ֑א וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע מֵהֵֽיכָלוֹ֙ קוֹלִ֔י וְשַׁוְעָתִ֖י בְּאׇזְנָֽיו׃
8Then the earth rocked and quaked, The foundations of heaven shook Rocked by His indignation.
(va-yit-ga-ASH) [va-yit-ga-ASH] va-tir-ASH ha-A-retz, mo-s'-DOT ha-sha-MA-yim yir-GA-zu, va-yit-ga-a-SHU ki-cha-RAH lo.
ח(ותגעש) [וַיִּתְגָּעַ֤שׁ] וַתִּרְעַשׁ֙ הָאָ֔רֶץ מוֹסְד֥וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם יִרְגָּ֑זוּ וַיִּֽתְגָּעֲשׁ֖וּ כִּי־חָ֥רָה לֽוֹ׃
9Smoke went up from His nostrils, From His mouth came devouring fire; Live coals blazed forth from Him.
a-LAH a-SHAN b'-a-PO, v'-AYSH mi-PIV to-KHEL, g'-KHA-leem ba-a-ROO mi-ME-nu
טעָלָ֤ה עָשָׁן֙ בְּאַפּ֔וֹ וְאֵ֥שׁ מִפִּ֖יו תֹּאכֵ֑ל גֶּחָלִ֖ים בָּעֲר֥וּ מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃
10He bent the sky and came down, Thick cloud beneath His feet.
vai-YET sha-MA-yim vai-YE-rad, va-a-RA-fel TA-khat rag-LA-yav
יוַיֵּ֥ט שָׁמַ֖יִם וַיֵּרַ֑ד וַעֲרָפֶ֖ל תַּ֥חַת רַגְלָֽיו׃
11He mounted a cherub and flew; He was seen on the wings of the wind.
vai-YIR-kav al k'-RU-v vai-YA-of, vai-YE-ra al kan-fay-ru-ACH
יאוַיִּרְכַּ֥ב עַל־כְּר֖וּב וַיָּעֹ֑ף וַיֵּרָ֖א עַל־כַּנְפֵי־רֽוּחַ׃
12He made pavilions of darkness about Him, Dripping clouds, huge thunderheads;
vai-YA-shet KHO-shekh se-vee-VO-tav su-KHOT, khash-RAT-ma-YIM a-VEI she-KHA-keem
יבוַיָּ֥שֶׁת חֹ֛שֶׁךְ סְבִיבֹתָ֖יו סֻכּ֑וֹת חַֽשְׁרַת־מַ֖יִם עָבֵ֥י שְׁחָקִֽים׃
13In the brilliance before Him Blazed fiery coals.
mi-NO-gah NEG-do ba-a-RO ga-cha-LEI-ESH
יגמִנֹּ֖גַהּ נֶגְדּ֑וֹ בָּעֲר֖וּ גַּחֲלֵי־אֵֽשׁ׃
14Hashem thundered forth from heaven, The Most High sent forth His voice;
yar-EM min sha-MA-yim a-do-NAI v'-el-YON yi-TEN ko-LO
ידיַרְעֵ֥ם מִן־שָׁמַ֖יִם יְהֹוָ֑ה וְעֶלְי֖וֹן יִתֵּ֥ן קוֹלֽוֹ׃
15He let loose bolts, and scattered them; Lightning, and put them to rout.
vai-YISH-lakh khee-TZEEM va-y'-fee-TZEM ba-RAK (va-y'-HOm) [va-YA-hom]
טווַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח חִצִּ֖ים וַיְפִיצֵ֑ם בָּרָ֖ק (ויהמם) [וַיָּהֹֽם]׃
16The bed of the sea was exposed, The foundations of the world were laid bare By the mighty roaring of Hashem, At the blast of the breath of His nostrils.
vai-YAY-ra-u a-fi-KAY yam yi-GA-lu mos-DOT tay-VEL b'-ga-a-RAT a-do-NAI mi-NISH-mat ru-ACH a-PO
טזוַיֵּֽרָאוּ֙ אֲפִ֣קֵי יָ֔ם יִגָּל֖וּ מֹסְד֣וֹת תֵּבֵ֑ל בְּגַעֲרַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה מִנִּשְׁמַ֖ת ר֥וּחַ אַפּֽוֹ׃
17He reached down from on high, He took me, Drew me out of the mighty waters;
yish-LAKH mi-ma-ROAM yi-ka-KHE-ni, yam-SHE-ni mi-MA-yim ra-BEEM
יזיִשְׁלַ֥ח מִמָּר֖וֹם יִקָּחֵ֑נִי יַֽמְשֵׁ֖נִי מִמַּ֥יִם רַבִּֽים׃
18He rescued me from my enemy so strong, From foes too mighty for me.
ya-tzi-LE-ni me-o-y'-VI az, mi-s'-no-AI, ki a-m'-TZU mi-ME-ni
יחיַצִּילֵ֕נִי מֵאֹיְבִ֖י עָ֑ז מִשֹּׂ֣נְאַ֔י כִּ֥י אָמְצ֖וּ מִמֶּֽנִּי׃
19They attacked me on my day of calamity, But Hashem was my stay.
y'-ka-de-MU-nee b'-YOM e-DEE, va-YA-hee a-do-NAI mish-AAN lee
יטיְקַדְּמֻ֖נִי בְּי֣וֹם אֵידִ֑י וַיְהִ֧י יְהֹוָ֛ה מִשְׁעָ֖ן לִֽי׃
20He brought me out to freedom, He rescued me because He was pleased with me.
vai-YO-tzei la-mer-KHAV o-TI, y'-cha-l'-TZE-ni kee-kha-FAYTS bee
כוַיֹּצֵ֥א לַמֶּרְחָ֖ב אֹתִ֑י יְחַלְּצֵ֖נִי כִּי־חָ֥פֵֽץ בִּֽי׃
21Hashem rewarded me according to my merit, He requited the cleanness of my hands.
yig-M'-LE-ni a-do-NAI k'-tzid-ka-TEE k'-VOR ya-DAI ya-SHEEV lee
כאיִגְמְלֵ֥נִי יְהֹוָ֖ה כְּצִדְקָתִ֑י כְּבֹ֥ר יָדַ֖י יָשִׁ֥יב לִֽי׃
22For I have kept the ways of Hashem And have not been guilty before my God;
ki sha-MAR-tee dar-KAY a-do-NAI v'-lo ra-SHA-tee me-e-lo-HAI
כבכִּ֥י שָׁמַ֖רְתִּי דַּרְכֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹ֥א רָשַׁ֖עְתִּי מֵאֱלֹהָֽי׃
23I am mindful of all His rules And have not departed from His laws.
ki kol-mish-PA-tav le-NEG-di v'-khu-KO-tav lo-a-SUR mi-ME-nah
כגכִּ֥י כׇל־מִשְׁפָּטָ֖ו לְנֶגְדִּ֑י וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יו לֹא־אָס֥וּר מִמֶּֽנָּה׃
24I have been blameless before Him, And have guarded myself against sinning—
va-e-heh ta-MEEM lo, va-esh-ta-m'-RAH me-a-vo-NEE
כדוָאֶהְיֶ֥ה תָמִ֖ים ל֑וֹ וָאֶשְׁתַּמְּרָ֖ה מֵעֲוֺנִֽי׃
25And Hashem has requited my merit, According to my purity in His sight.
va-YA-shev a-do-NAI li k'-tzid-ka-TEE, k'-vo-REE l'-NE-ged ay-NAV.
כהוַיָּ֧שֶׁב יְהֹוָ֛ה לִ֖י כְּצִדְקָתִ֑י כְּבֹרִ֖י לְנֶ֥גֶד עֵינָֽיו׃
26With the loyal You deal loyally; With the blameless hero, blamelessly.
im-KHA-sid tit-cha-SAD im-gi-VOR ta-MEEM ti-ta-MAM
כועִם־חָסִ֖יד תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד עִם־גִּבּ֥וֹר תָּמִ֖ים תִּתַּמָּֽם׃
27With the pure You act in purity, And with the perverse You are wily.
im-NA-var ti-ta-VAR ve-im-i-KESH ti-ta-PAL
כזעִם־נָבָ֖ר תִּתָּבָ֑ר וְעִם־עִקֵּ֖שׁ תִּתַּפָּֽל׃
28To humble folk You give victory, And You look with scorn on the haughty.
v'-et aM a-NEE to-SHEE-a, v'-e-YE-ne-KHA al-ra-MEEM tash-PEEL
כחוְאֶת־עַ֥ם עָנִ֖י תּוֹשִׁ֑יעַ וְעֵינֶ֥יךָ עַל־רָמִ֖ים תַּשְׁפִּֽיל׃
29You, Hashem, are my lamp; Hashem lights up my darkness.
ki-a-TAH n'-RI a-do-NAI, va-a-do-NAI ya-GI-a KHO-sh'-KI
כטכִּֽי־אַתָּ֥ה נֵירִ֖י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיהֹוָ֖ה יַגִּ֥יהַּ חׇשְׁכִּֽי׃
30With You, I can rush a barrier, With my God, I can scale a wall.
ki ve-KHA a-RUTZ ge-DUD, be-lo-HAI a-da-LEG SHUR
לכִּ֥י בְכָ֖ה אָר֣וּץ גְּד֑וּד בֵּאלֹהַ֖י אֲדַלֶּג־שֽׁוּר׃
31The way of Hashem is perfect, The word of Hashem is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
ha-EL ta-MEEM dar-KO im-RAT a-do-NAI tze-ROO-fa ma-GEN HU l'-KOL ha-KHO-seem BO
לאהָאֵ֖ל תָּמִ֣ים דַּרְכּ֑וֹ אִמְרַ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ צְרוּפָ֔ה מָגֵ֣ן ה֔וּא לְכֹ֖ל הַֽחֹסִ֥ים בּֽוֹ׃
32Yea, who is a god except Hashem, Who is a rock except Hashem—
ki mi-EL mi-bal-a-DEI a-do-NAI u-mi-TZUR mi-bal-a-DEI e-lo-HEI-nu
לבכִּ֥י מִי־אֵ֖ל מִבַּלְעֲדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וּמִ֥י צ֖וּר מִֽבַּלְעֲדֵ֥י אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃
33The Hashem, my mighty stronghold, Who kept my path secure;
ha-EL ma-UZ-zi KHA-yil, vai-YA-ter ta-MEEM (dar-KHO) [dar-KI]
לגהָאֵ֥ל מָֽעוּזִּ֖י חָ֑יִל וַיַּתֵּ֥ר תָּמִ֖ים (דרכו) [דַּרְכִּֽי]׃
34Who made my legs like a deer's, And set me firm on the heights;
m'-sha-VEH (rag-LA-yav) [rag-LAI] ka-a-YA-lot, v'-al ba-mo-TAI ya-a-mi-DAY-nee
לדמְשַׁוֶּ֥ה (רגליו) [רַגְלַ֖י] כָּאַיָּל֑וֹת וְעַ֥ל בָּמֹתַ֖י יַעֲמִדֵֽנִי׃
35Who trained my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze!
me-la-MED ya-DAI la-mil-KHA-ma, v'-ni-KHAT KE-shet ne-KHU-sha, ze-ro-o-TAI
להמְלַמֵּ֥ד יָדַ֖י לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וְנִחַ֥ת קֶשֶׁת־נְחוּשָׁ֖ה זְרֹעֹתָֽי׃
36You have granted me the shield of Your protection And Your providence has made me great.
va-ti-TEN li ma-GEN yish-E-kha va-a-no-TE-kha tar-BE-ni
לווַתִּתֶּן־לִ֖י מָגֵ֣ן יִשְׁעֶ֑ךָ וַעֲנֹתְךָ֖ תַּרְבֵּֽנִי׃
37You have let me stride on freely, And my feet have not slipped.
tar-KHEEV tsa-a-DEE takh-TE-nee v'-lo ma-a-DOO kar-su-LAI
לזתַּרְחִ֥יב צַעֲדִ֖י תַּחְתֵּ֑נִי וְלֹ֥א מָעֲד֖וּ קַרְסֻלָּֽי׃
38I pursued my enemies and wiped them out, I did not turn back till I destroyed them.
er-D'FAH oy-VAY va-ash-mi-DEM, v'-LO a-SHUV ad ka-LO-tam
לחאֶרְדְּפָ֥ה אֹיְבַ֖י וָאַשְׁמִידֵ֑ם וְלֹ֥א אָשׁ֖וּב עַד־כַּלּוֹתָֽם׃
39I destroyed them, I struck them down; They rose no more, they lay at my feet.
va-a-KHA-lem va-em-KHA-tzem v'-lo ye-KU-mun, va-yi-pe-LU ta-KHAT rag-LAI.
לטוָאֲכַלֵּ֥ם וָאֶמְחָצֵ֖ם וְלֹ֣א יְקוּמ֑וּן וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ תַּ֥חַת רַגְלָֽי׃
40You have girt me with strength for battle, Brought low my foes before me,
va-taz-RE-ni KHA-yil la-mil-KHA-ma, tak-REE-a ka-MAI takh-TE-ni
מוַתַּזְרֵ֥נִי חַ֖יִל לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה תַּכְרִ֥יעַ קָמַ֖י תַּחְתֵּֽנִי׃
41Made my enemies turn tail before me, My foes—and I wiped them out.
v'-o-y'-VAI ta-TAH LEE o-REF m'-sa-NAY va-a-tz'-mi-TEM
מאוְאֹ֣יְבַ֔י תַּ֥תָּה לִּ֖י עֹ֑רֶף מְשַׂנְאַ֖י וָאַצְמִיתֵֽם׃
42They looked, but there was none to deliver; To Hashem, but He answered them not.
yish-U v'-AYN mo-SHEE-a el a-do-NAI v'-lo a-NAM
מביִשְׁע֖וּ וְאֵ֣ין מֹשִׁ֑יעַ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א עָנָֽם׃
43I pounded them like dust of the earth, Stamped, crushed them like dirt of the streets.
v'-esh-cha-KHEM ka-a-far a-RETZ, k'-teet-KHU-tzot a-di-KHEM er-ka-EM
מגוְאֶשְׁחָקֵ֖ם כַּעֲפַר־אָ֑רֶץ כְּטִיט־חוּצ֥וֹת אֲדִקֵּ֖ם אֶרְקָעֵֽם׃
44You have rescued me from the strife of peoples, Kept me to be a ruler of nations; Peoples I knew not must serve me.
va-t'-fal-TE-ni me-ri-VEI a-MI, tish-m'-RE-ni l'-ROSH go-YIM, am lo ya-da-TI ya-a-v'-DU-ni
מדוַֽתְּפַלְּטֵ֔נִי מֵרִיבֵ֖י עַמִּ֑י תִּשְׁמְרֵ֙נִי֙ לְרֹ֣אשׁ גּוֹיִ֔ם עַ֥ם לֹא־יָדַ֖עְתִּי יַעַבְדֻֽנִי׃
45Aliens have cringed before me, Paid me homage at the mere report of me.
b'-NAY n'-KAR yit-ka-KHA-shu-LEE, lish-MO-a o-ZEN yish-a-MU-LEE
מהבְּנֵ֥י נֵכָ֖ר יִתְכַּחֲשׁוּ־לִ֑י לִשְׁמ֥וֹעַ אֹ֖זֶן יִשָּׁ֥מְעוּ לִֽי׃
46Aliens have lost courage And come trembling out of their fastnesses.
b'-NAY ne-KHAR yi-BO-lu v'-ya-KH'-gu mi-mis-g'-RO-tam
מובְּנֵ֥י נֵכָ֖ר יִבֹּ֑לוּ וְיַחְגְּר֖וּ מִמִּסְגְּרוֹתָֽם׃
47Hashem lives! Blessed is my rock! Exalted be Hashem, the rock Who gives me victory;
khai a-do-NAI u-va-ROOKH tzu-REE, v'-ya-RUM e-lo-HAY tzuR yish-EE
מזחַי־יְהֹוָ֖ה וּבָר֣וּךְ צוּרִ֑י וְיָרֻ֕ם אֱלֹהֵ֖י צ֥וּר יִשְׁעִֽי׃
48The Hashem who has vindicated me And made peoples subject to me,
ha-EL ha-no-TEN ne-KA-mot li, u-mo-RID a-MIM ta-KHTE-ni
מחהָאֵ֕ל הַנֹּתֵ֥ן נְקָמֹ֖ת לִ֑י וּמֹרִ֥יד עַמִּ֖ים תַּחְתֵּֽנִי׃
49Rescued me from my enemies, Raised me clear of my foes, Saved me from lawless men!
u-mo-tzi-I me-o-y'-va-YI u-mi-ka-MAI t'-ro-m'-ME-ni, me-EESH cha-ma-SEEM ta-tsi-LE-ni
מטוּמוֹצִיאִ֖י מֵאֹֽיְבָ֑י וּמִקָּמַי֙ תְּר֣וֹמְמֵ֔נִי מֵאִ֥ישׁ חֲמָסִ֖ים תַּצִּילֵֽנִי׃
50For this I sing Your praise among the nations And hymn Your name:
al-KEN o-de-KHA a-do-NAI ba-go-YIM u-l'-shim-KHA a-zam-MER
נעַל־כֵּ֛ן אֽוֹדְךָ֥ יְהֹוָ֖ה בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם וּלְשִׁמְךָ֖ אֲזַמֵּֽר׃
51Tower of victory to His king, Who deals graciously with His anointed, With David and his offspring evermore.
(mig-DOL) [mig-DOL] ye-SHU-ot mal-KO, v'-o-SEH-khe-SAYD li-m'-shee-KHO, l'-da-VID u-l'-zar-O ad-o-LAM.
נא(מגדיל) [מִגְדּ֖וֹל] יְשׁוּע֣וֹת מַלְכּ֑וֹ וְעֹֽשֶׂה־חֶ֧סֶד לִמְשִׁיח֛וֹ לְדָוִ֥ד וּלְזַרְע֖וֹ עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃