Psalms 21

1 For the music director. A psalm of David. The king celebrates your strength, Lord; he is so happy you made him victorious!

To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. The king will be glad in your strength, O Lord; how great will be his delight in your salvation!

2 You gave him everything he wanted; you didn't hold anything back he asked for.

You have given him his heart's desire, and have not kept back the request of his lips. (Selah)

3 You welcomed him on his return with special blessings; you placed a crown of pure gold on his head.

For you go before him with the blessings of good things: you put a crown of fair gold on his head.

4 He asked you to give him a good life, and you gave him a long life, forever and ever.

He made request to you for life, and you gave it to him, long life for ever and ever.

5 Your victories brought him great glory; you granted him splendor and majesty.

His glory is great in your salvation: honour and authority have you put on him.

6 You give him blessings forever. He is full of joy because you are with him.

For you have made him a blessing for ever: you have given him joy in the light of your face.

7 For the king trusts in the Lord; he stands firm because of the trustworthy love of the Most High.

For the king has faith in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he will not be moved.

8 You, the king, will find and capture all your enemies; you will seize everyone who hates you.

Your hand will make a search for all your haters; your right hand will be hard on all those who are against you.

9 When you appear on the scene you will burn them up like in a furnace; the Lord in his anger will destroy them, burning them up with fire.

You will make them like a flaming oven before you; the Lord in his wrath will put an end to them, and they will be burned up in the fire.

10 You will wipe out their children from the earth, their descendants from humankind.

Their fruit will be cut off from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.

11 Though they plot evil against you, their malicious schemes will not succeed.

For their thoughts were bitter against you: they had an evil design in their minds, which they were not able to put into effect.

12 They will turn and run away when they see your arrows fired at them.

Their backs will be turned when you make ready the cords of your bow against their faces.

13 Rise up, Lord, for you are strong! We will sing and praise your power!

Be lifted up, O Lord, in your strength; so will we make songs in praise of your power.