
TORAH
NEVI'IM
KETUVIM
Chapter 18
Translation and Transliteration of
Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:
- Commentary
- Buy E-book
- Buy the Israel Bible
1For the leader. Of David, the servant of Hashem, who addressed the words of this song to Hashem after Hashem had saved him from the hands of all his enemies and from the clutches of Shaul.
la-menatze-akh, le-E-ved a-do-NAI, le-DA-vid, a-SHER di-BER, la-a-do-NAI, et-di-VE-REI ha-shi-RAH ha-ZOT, be-YOM hi-TZIL a-do-NAI o-TO, mi-KAF kol-o-y'-va-vav, u-mi-YAD sha-UL.
אלַמְנַצֵּ֤חַ ׀ לְעֶ֥בֶד יְהֹוָ֗ה לְדָ֫וִ֥ד אֲשֶׁ֤ר דִּבֶּ֨ר ׀ לַיהֹוָ֗ה אֶת־דִּ֭בְרֵי הַשִּׁירָ֣ה הַזֹּ֑את בְּי֤וֹם הִֽצִּיל־יְהֹוָ֘ה אוֹת֥וֹ מִכַּ֥ף כׇּל־אֹ֝יְבָ֗יו וּמִיַּ֥ד שָׁאֽוּל׃
2He said: I adore you, Hashem, my strength,
va-YO-mar er-kham-KHA a-do-NAI khiz-KEE
בוַיֹּאמַ֡ר אֶרְחׇמְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה חִזְקִֽי׃
3Hashem, my crag, my fortress, my rescuer, my God, my rock in whom I seek refuge, my shield, my mighty Champion, my haven.
a-do-NAI sal-EE u-m'-tzu-da-TEE u-m'-fal-TEE e-LEE tzu-REE e-khe-SEH-BO ma-GI-nee v'-ke-ren yish-EE mis-GA-bee
גיְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ סַ֥לְעִ֥י וּמְצוּדָתִ֗י וּמְפַ֫לְטִ֥י אֵלִ֣י צ֭וּרִי אֶֽחֱסֶה־בּ֑וֹ מָֽגִנִּ֥י וְקֶֽרֶן־יִ֝שְׁעִ֗י מִשְׂגַּבִּֽי׃
4All praise! I called on Hashem and was delivered from my enemies.
m'-hu-LAL ek-RA a-do-NAI u-min oy-VAY i-vu-SHE-a
דמְ֭הֻלָּל אֶקְרָ֣א יְהֹוָ֑ה וּמִן־אֹ֝יְבַ֗י אִוָּשֵֽׁעַ׃
5Ropes of Death encompassed me; torrents of Belial terrified me;
a-FA-fu-NEE khev-lay-ma-VET v'-na-kha-LAY b'-li-YA-al y'-va-a-TU-nee
האֲפָפ֥וּנִי חֶבְלֵי־מָ֑וֶת וְֽנַחֲלֵ֖י בְלִיַּ֣עַל יְבַֽעֲתֽוּנִי׃
6ropes of Sheol encircled me; snares of Death confronted me.
khev-LEI she-OHL se-va-VOO-nee ki-d'-MU-nee mo-k'-SHEI ma-VET
וחֶבְלֵ֣י שְׁא֣וֹל סְבָב֑וּנִי קִ֝דְּמ֗וּנִי מ֣וֹקְשֵׁי מָֽוֶת׃
7In my distress I called on Hashem, cried out to my God; in His temple He heard my voice; my cry to Him reached His ears.
ba-TZAR-li e-KRA a-do-NAI, v'-el e-lo-HAI a-sha-VE-a, yish-MA me-he-KHA-lo KO-li, v'-sha-va-a-TEE l'-fa-NAV ta-VO b'-o-z'-NAV.
זבַּצַּר־לִ֤י ׀ אֶ֥קְרָ֣א יְהֹוָה֮ וְאֶל־אֱלֹהַ֢י אֲשַׁ֫וֵּ֥עַ יִשְׁמַ֣ע מֵהֵיכָל֣וֹ קוֹלִ֑י וְ֝שַׁוְעָתִ֗י לְפָנָ֤יו ׀ תָּב֬וֹא בְאׇזְנָֽיו׃
8Then the earth rocked and quaked; the foundations of the mountains shook, rocked by His indignation;
va-tig-ASH va-tir-ASH ha-A-retz u-mo-s'-DAY ha-REEM yir-GA-zu va-yit-ga-a-SHU kee KHA-rah LO
חוַתִּגְעַ֬שׁ וַתִּרְעַ֨שׁ ׀ הָאָ֗רֶץ וּמוֹסְדֵ֣י הָרִ֣ים יִרְגָּ֑זוּ וַ֝יִּתְגָּֽעֲשׁ֗וּ כִּי־חָ֥רָה לֽוֹ׃
18:8 Then the earth rocked and quaked

The Dead Sea
David sings a song of gratitude to Hashem after defeating his enemies. Sometimes God’s support appears in the form of a “a soft murmuring sound” (I Kings 19:12); other times it “rocked and quaked” the very foundations of the world. In Israel over the centuries there have been many quakes which shook the earth. The Dead Sea, for example, is a result of a cataclysmic rift in the earth’s crust, a result of the tectonic plates shifting under the surface. This shift produced mountain ranges and volcanoes in the Golan Heights, as well as deep fissures, one of which is filled with the deepest hypersaline lake in the world.
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-PI-u to-KHEL ge-KHA-leem ba-a-ROO mi-ME-nu
טעָ֘לָ֤ה עָשָׁ֨ן ׀ בְּאַפּ֗וֹ וְאֵשׁ־מִפִּ֥יו תֹּאכֵ֑ל גֶּ֝חָלִ֗ים בָּעֲר֥וּ מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃
10He bent the sky and came down, thick cloud beneath His feet.
vai-YET sha-MA-yim va-YE-rad va-a-RA-fel TA-khat rag-LA-yav
יוַיֵּ֣ט שָׁ֭מַיִם וַיֵּרַ֑ד וַ֝עֲרָפֶ֗ל תַּ֣חַת רַגְלָֽיו׃
11He mounted a cherub and flew, gliding on the wings of the wind.
vai-YIR-kav al k'-RU-v vai-YA-of vai-YE-de al kan-FAY ru-ACH
יאוַיִּרְכַּ֣ב עַל־כְּ֭רוּב וַיָּעֹ֑ף וַ֝יֵּ֗דֶא עַל־כַּנְפֵי־רֽוּחַ׃
12He made darkness His screen; dark thunderheads, dense clouds of the sky were His pavilion round about Him.
ya-SHET khosh-KO si-TRO se-vi-VO-tav su-KHA-to khesh-KAT-MA-yim a-VEI she-KHA-kim
יביָ֤שֶׁת חֹ֨שֶׁךְ ׀ סִתְר֗וֹ סְבִֽיבוֹתָ֥יו סֻכָּת֑וֹ חֶשְׁכַת־מַ֝֗יִם עָבֵ֥י שְׁחָקִֽים׃
13Out of the brilliance before Him, hail and fiery coals pierced His clouds.
mi-NO-gah NEG-do a-VA-yov a-VO-ru BA-rad v'-ga-cha-lay-EESH
יגמִנֹּ֗גַהּ נֶ֫גְדּ֥וֹ עָבָ֥יו עָבְר֑וּ בָּ֝רָ֗ד וְגַֽחֲלֵי־אֵֽשׁ׃
14Then Hashem thundered from heaven, the Most High gave forth His voice— hail and fiery coals.
vai-YAR-em ba-sha-MA-yim a-do-NAI v'-el-YON yi-TEN ko-LO ba-RAD v'-ga-cha-LEI-AYSH
ידוַיַּרְעֵ֬ם בַּשָּׁמַ֨יִם ׀ יְֽהֹוָ֗ה וְ֭עֶלְיוֹן יִתֵּ֣ן קֹל֑וֹ בָּ֝רָ֗ד וְגַֽחֲלֵי־אֵֽשׁ׃
15 He let fly His shafts and scattered them; He discharged lightning and routed them.
vai-YISH-lakh khee-TZAV va-y'-fee-TZEM u-v'-ra-KEEM RAV va-y'-hu-MEM
טווַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח חִ֭צָּיו וַיְפִיצֵ֑ם וּבְרָקִ֥ים רָ֝֗ב וַיְהֻמֵּֽם׃
16The ocean bed was exposed; the foundations of the world were laid bare by You mighty roaring, Hashem, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.
vai-YAY-ra-u a-fi-KAY ma-YIM va-yi-GA-lu mo-s'-DOT tay-VEL mi-ga-a-RA-te-KHA a-do-NAI mi-ni-sh'-MAT ru-ACH a-PE-kha
טזוַיֵּ֤רָא֨וּ ׀ אֲפִ֥יקֵי מַ֗יִם וַֽיִּגָּלוּ֮ מוֹסְד֢וֹת תֵּ֫בֵ֥ל מִגַּעֲרָ֣תְךָ֣ יְהֹוָ֑ה מִ֝נִּשְׁמַ֗ת ר֣וּחַ אַפֶּֽךָ׃
17He reached down from on high, He took me; He drew me out of the mighty waters;
YISH-lakh mi-ma-ROM yi-ka-KHE-ni yam-SHE-ni mi-MA-yim ra-BEEM
יזיִשְׁלַ֣ח מִ֭מָּרוֹם יִקָּחֵ֑נִי יַֽ֝מְשֵׁ֗נִי מִמַּ֥יִם רַבִּֽים׃
18He saved me from my fierce enemy, from foes too strong for me.
ya-tzi-LE-ni me-o-y'-VEE az u-mi-s'-no-AI kee a-m'-TZU mi-ME-ni
יחיַצִּילֵ֗נִי מֵאֹיְבִ֥י עָ֑ז וּ֝מִשֹּׂנְאַ֗י כִּֽי־אָמְצ֥וּ מִמֶּֽנִּי׃
19They confronted me on the day of my calamity, but Hashem was my support.
y'-ka-d'-MU-nee b'-YOM a-EE-dee va-YA-hee a-do-NAI l'-mish-AAN lee
יטיְקַדְּמ֥וּנִי בְיוֹם־אֵידִ֑י וַֽיְהִי־יְהֹוָ֖ה לְמִשְׁעָ֣ן לִֽי׃
20He brought me out to freedom; He rescued me because He was pleased with me.
vai-yo-tzi-AY-nee la-mer-KHAV, y'-kha-l'-TZE-nee kee kha-FAYTS bee
כוַיּוֹצִיאֵ֥נִי לַמֶּרְחָ֑ב יְ֝חַלְּצֵ֗נִי כִּ֘י חָ֥פֵֽץ בִּֽי׃
21Hashem rewarded me according to my merit; He requited the cleanness of my hands;
yig-M'-LE-ni a-do-NAI k'-tzi-D'-KI k'-VOR ya-DAI ya-SHEEV li
כאיִגְמְלֵ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֣ה כְּצִדְקִ֑י כְּבֹ֥ר יָ֝דַ֗י יָשִׁ֥יב לִֽי׃
22for I have kept to the ways of Hashem, and have not been guilty before my God;
ki-sha-MAR-tee dar-KHEI a-do-NAI v'-lo-ra-SHA-tee me-e-lo-HAI
כבכִּֽי־שָׁ֭מַרְתִּי דַּרְכֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹֽא־רָ֝שַׁ֗עְתִּי מֵאֱלֹהָֽי׃
23for I am mindful of all His rules; I have not disregarded His laws.
ki kol-mish-PA-tav le-NEG-di v'-khuk-KO-tav lo-a-SIR me-NI
כגכִּ֣י כׇל־מִשְׁפָּטָ֣יו לְנֶגְדִּ֑י וְ֝חֻקֹּתָ֗יו לֹא־אָסִ֥יר מֶֽנִּי׃
24I have been blameless toward Him, and have guarded myself against sinning;
va-e-HI ta-MEEM i-MO va-ES-ta-MER me-a-VO-nee
כדוָאֱהִ֣י תָמִ֣ים עִמּ֑וֹ וָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗ר מֵעֲוֺנִֽי׃
25and Hashem has requited me according to my merit, the cleanness of my hands in His sight.
va-YA-shev a-do-NAI li k'-tzid-KEE, k'-VOR ya-DAI l'-NE-ged ay-NAV.
כהוַיָּֽשֶׁב־יְהֹוָ֣ה לִ֣י כְצִדְקִ֑י כְּבֹ֥ר יָ֝דַ֗י לְנֶ֣גֶד עֵינָֽיו׃
26With the loyal, You deal loyally; with the blameless man, blamelessly.
im-KHA-sid tit-cha-SAD im-ge-VAR ta-MEEM ti-ta-MAM
כועִם־חָסִ֥יד תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד עִם־גְּבַ֥ר תָּ֝מִ֗ים תִּתַּמָּֽם׃
27With the pure, You act purely, and with the perverse, You are wily.
im-NA-var tit-BA-rar v'-im-i-KESH tit-pa-TAL
כזעִם־נָבָ֥ר תִּתְבָּרָ֑ר וְעִם־עִ֝קֵּ֗שׁ תִּתְפַּתָּֽל׃
28It is You who deliver lowly folk, but haughty eyes You humble.
ki-a-TAH am-a-a-NEE to-SHEE-a v'-ay-NA-yim ra-MOT tash-PEEL
כחכִּֽי־אַ֭תָּה עַם־עָנִ֣י תוֹשִׁ֑יעַ וְעֵינַ֖יִם רָמ֣וֹת תַּשְׁפִּֽיל׃
29It is You who light my lamp; Hashem, my God, lights up my darkness.
ki-a-TAH ta-EER ne-RI, a-do-NAI e-lo-HAI ya-GI-a KHO-sh'-KI
כטכִּֽי־אַ֭תָּה תָּאִ֣יר נֵרִ֑י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י יַגִּ֥יהַּ חׇשְׁכִּֽי׃
30With You, I can rush a barrier; with my God I can scale a wall;
ki-VE-kha a-RUTZ g'-DUD u-ve-lo-HAI a-da-LEG-SHU-UR
לכִּֽי־בְ֭ךָ אָרֻ֣ץ גְּד֑וּד וּ֝בֵֽאלֹהַ֗י אֲדַלֶּג־שֽׁוּר׃
31the way of Hashem is perfect; the word of Hashem is pure; He is a shield to all who seek refuge in Him.
ha-EL ta-MEEM dar-KO im-rat-a-do-NAI tze-ROO-fa ma-GEN hu le-KHOL ha-KHO-seem BO
לאהָאֵל֮ תָּמִ֢ים דַּ֫רְכּ֥וֹ אִמְרַֽת־יְהֹוָ֥ה צְרוּפָ֑ה מָגֵ֥ן ה֝֗וּא לְכֹ֤ל ׀ הַחֹסִ֬ים בּֽוֹ׃
32Truly, who is a god except Hashem, who is a rock but our God?—
ki MI e-lo-HA mi-bal-a-DEI a-do-NAI u-MI tzuR zu-la-TI e-lo-HEI-nu
לבכִּ֤י מִ֣י אֱ֭לוֹהַּ מִבַּלְעֲדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וּמִ֥י צ֝֗וּר זוּלָתִ֥י אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃
33the God who girded me with might, who made my way perfect;
ha-EL ha-ma-a-ZE-re-NEE kha-YIL va-yi-TEN ta-MEEM dar-KI
לגהָ֭אֵל הַמְאַזְּרֵ֣נִי חָ֑יִל וַיִּתֵּ֖ן תָּמִ֣ים דַּרְכִּֽי׃
34who made my legs like a deer's, and let me stand firm on the heights;
m'-sha-VEH rag-LAI ka-a-YA-lot, v'-al ba-MO-tai ya-a-mi-DE-ni
לדמְשַׁוֶּ֣ה רַ֭גְלַי כָּאַיָּל֑וֹת וְעַ֥ל בָּ֝מֹתַ֗י יַעֲמִידֵֽנִי׃
35who trained my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
m'-la-MED ya-DAI la-mil-KHA-mah, v'-ni-KHA-tah KE-shet n'-KHU-shah z'-ro-o-TAI
להמְלַמֵּ֣ד יָ֭דַי לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וְֽנִחֲתָ֥ה קֶֽשֶׁת־נְ֝חוּשָׁ֗ה זְרוֹעֹתָֽי׃
36You have given me the shield of Your protection; Your right hand has sustained me, Your care has made me great.
va-ti-TEN-li ma-GEN yish-E-kha vi-yi-min-KHA tis-a-DE-ni ve-an-va-t'-KHA tar-BE-ni
לווַתִּתֶּן־לִי֮ מָגֵ֢ן יִ֫שְׁעֶ֥ךָ וִֽימִינְךָ֥ תִסְעָדֵ֑נִי וְֽעַנְוַתְךָ֥ תַרְבֵּֽנִי׃
37You have let me stride on freely; my feet have not slipped.
tar-KHEEV tza-a-DEE takh-TAI v'-LO ma-a-DOO kar-su-LAI
לזתַּרְחִ֣יב צַעֲדִ֣י תַחְתָּ֑י וְלֹ֥א מָ֝עֲד֗וּ קַרְסֻלָּֽי׃
38I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till I destroyed them.
er-DOf o-Y'-vai v'-a-see-GEM, v'-LO-a-SHUv ad-KA-lo-TAM
לחאֶרְדּ֣וֹף א֭וֹיְבַי וְאַשִּׂיגֵ֑ם וְלֹֽא־אָ֝שׁ֗וּב עַד־כַּלּוֹתָֽם׃
39I struck them down, and they could rise no more; they lay fallen at my feet.
em-cha-TSEM v'-lo-yu-KH'-lu KUM, yi-p'-LU TA-CHAT rag-LAI.
לטאֶ֭מְחָצֵם וְלֹא־יֻ֣כְלוּ ק֑וּם יִ֝פְּל֗וּ תַּ֣חַת רַגְלָֽי׃
40You have girded me with strength for battle, brought my adversaries low before me,
va-t'-a-Z'-RE-ni kha-YIL la-mil-KHA-ma, tak-REE-a ka-MAI takh-TAI
מוַתְּאַזְּרֵ֣נִי חַ֭יִל לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה תַּכְרִ֖יעַ קָמַ֣י תַּחְתָּֽי׃
41made my enemies turn tail before me; I wiped out my foes.
v'-o-y'-VAI na-TA-tah LEE o-REF u-m'-sa-N'-AI ats-mi-TEM
מאוְֽאֹיְבַ֗י נָתַ֣תָּה לִּ֣י עֹ֑רֶף וּ֝מְשַׂנְאַ֗י אַצְמִיתֵֽם׃
42They cried out, but there was none to deliver; [cried] to Hashem, but He did not answer them.
y'-sha-vu v'-EYN-mo-SHEE-a al a-do-NAI v'-lo a-NAM
מביְשַׁוְּע֥וּ וְאֵין־מוֹשִׁ֑יעַ עַל־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה וְלֹ֣א עָנָֽם׃
43I ground them fine as windswept dust; I trod them flat as dirt of the streets.
v'-esh-cha-KHEM k'-a-far al p'-nay-ru-ACH k'-TEET khu-TZOT a-ree-KHEM
מגוְֽאֶשְׁחָקֵ֗ם כְּעָפָ֥ר עַל־פְּנֵי־ר֑וּחַ כְּטִ֖יט חוּצ֣וֹת אֲרִיקֵֽם׃
44You have rescued me from the strife of people; You have set me at the head of nations; peoples I knew not must serve me.
t'-fa-l'-TE-ni may-ri-VAY-am t'-si-ME-ni l'-ROSH go-YIM, am lo ya-da-TI ya-a-v'-DU-ni
מדתְּפַלְּטֵנִי֮ מֵרִ֢יבֵ֫י־עָ֥ם תְּ֭שִׂימֵנִי לְרֹ֣אשׁ גּוֹיִ֑ם עַ֖ם לֹא־יָדַ֣עְתִּי יַֽעַבְדֽוּנִי׃
45At the mere report of me they are submissive; foreign peoples cower before me;
l'-SHE-ma O-ZEN yish-m'-U li, b'-NAY n'-KAR ye-kha-KHA-shu-li
מהלְשֵׁ֣מַֽע אֹ֭זֶן יִשָּׁ֣מְעוּ לִ֑י בְּנֵֽי־נֵ֝כָ֗ר יְכַחֲשׁוּ־לִֽי׃
46foreign peoples lose courage, and come trembling out of their strongholds.
b'-NAY ne-KHAR yi-BO-lu v'-ya-KH'-ru mi-mis-g'-RO-tei-HEM
מובְּנֵי־נֵכָ֥ר יִבֹּ֑לוּ וְ֝יַחְרְג֗וּ מִֽמִּסְגְּרֽוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃
47Hashem lives! Blessed is my rock! Exalted be Hashem, my deliverer,
khai-y'-ho-VAH u-va-ROOKH tzu-REE v'-ya-RUM e-lo-HAY yish-EE
מזחַי־יְ֭הֹוָה וּבָר֣וּךְ צוּרִ֑י וְ֝יָר֗וּם אֱלוֹהֵ֥י יִשְׁעִֽי׃
48the God who has vindicated me and made peoples subject to me,
ha-EL ha-NO-teyn ne-KA-mot li, va-yad-BAYR a-MEEM tach-TAI
מחהָאֵ֗ל הַנּוֹתֵ֣ן נְקָמ֣וֹת לִ֑י וַיַּדְבֵּ֖ר עַמִּ֣ים תַּחְתָּֽי׃
49who rescued me from my enemies, who raised me clear of my adversaries, saved me from lawless men.
m'-fa-LE-tee may-o-y'-VAI af min-ka-MAI t'-ro-m'-ME-ni may-ISH cha-MAS ta-tzee-LAY-ni
מטמְפַלְּטִ֗י מֵאֹ֫יְבָ֥י אַ֣ף מִן־קָ֭מַי תְּרוֹמְמֵ֑נִי מֵאִ֥ישׁ חָ֝מָ֗ס תַּצִּילֵֽנִי׃
50For this I sing Your praise among the nations, Hashem, and hymn Your name:
al-KEN o-d'-KHA va-go-YIM a-do-NAI u-l'-shim-KHA a-zam-ME-ra
נעַל־כֵּ֤ן ׀ אוֹדְךָ֖ בַגּוֹיִ֥ם ׀ יְהֹוָ֑ה וּלְשִׁמְךָ֥ אֲזַמֵּֽרָה׃
51He accords great victories to His king, keeps faith with His anointed, with David and his offspring forever.
mag-DIL y'-shu-OT mal-KO v'-o-SEH khe-SED l'-m'-shee-KHO l'-da-VID u-l'-zar-O ad-o-LAM.
נאמַגְדִּל֮ יְשׁוּע֢וֹת מַ֫לְכּ֥וֹ וְעֹ֤שֶׂה חֶ֨סֶד ׀ לִמְשִׁיח֗וֹ לְדָוִ֥ד וּלְזַרְע֗וֹ עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃