1. Opening prayer from Psalm 18.

2. I love you, LORD God,
and you make me strong.
You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector,

3. The rock where I am safe,
my shield, my powerful weapon,
and my place of shelter.

4. I praise you, LORD! I prayed, and
you rescued me from my enemies.
Death had wrapped its ropes around
me, and I was almost swallowed by
its flooding waters.

5. Ropes from the world of
the dead had coiled around
me, and death had set a trap
in my path.

6. I was in terrible
trouble when
I called out to
you, but from
your temple
you heard me
and answered
my prayer.