For the waves of death engulfed me;
David says the waves of death engulfed him. He remembers danger as something overwhelming and close.
It begins the description of mortal threat.
1And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2He said: 3My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, 4I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; 5For the waves of death engulfed me; 6The cords of Sheol entangled me; 7In my distress I called upon the LORD; 8Then the earth shook and quaked; 9Smoke rose from His nostrils, 10He parted the heavens and came down 11He mounted a cherub and flew; 12He made darkness a canopy around Him, 13From the brightness of His presence 14The LORD thundered from heaven; 15He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; 16The channels of the sea appeared, 17He reached down from on high and took hold of me; 18He rescued me from my powerful enemy, 19They confronted me in my day of calamity, 20He brought me out into the open; 21The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; 22For I have kept the ways of the LORD 23For all His ordinances are before me; 24And I have been blameless before Him 25So the LORD has repaid me according to my righteousness, 26To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, 27to the pure You show Yourself pure, 28You save an afflicted people, 29For You, O LORD, are my lamp; 30For in You I can charge an army; 31As for God, His way is perfect; 32For who is God besides the LORD? 33God is my strong fortress, 34He makes my feet like those of a deer 35He trains my hands for battle; 36You have given me Your shield of salvation, 37You broaden the path beneath me 38I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; 39I devoured and crushed them so they could not rise; 40You have armed me with strength for battle; 41You have made my enemies retreat before me; 42They looked, but there was no one to save them — 43I ground them as the dust of the earth; 44You have delivered me from the strife of my people; 45Foreigners cower before me; 46Foreigners lose heart 47The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock! 48the God who avenges me 49who frees me from my enemies. 50Therefore I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; 51Great salvation He brings to His king.