Psalms 21

1 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!

For the leader. A psalm of David. The king rejoices, Lord, in your might, how he exults because of your help!

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

You have granted to him his heart’s desire, you have not withheld his lips’ request. (Selah)

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

You came to meet him with rich blessings, you set on his head a golden crown.

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

He asked you for life, you gave it – many long days, forever and ever.

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

Great is his glory because of your help, honour and majesty you lay upon him.

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

For you make him most blessed forever, you make him glad with the joy of your presence.

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

For the king puts always his trust in the Lord; the Most High, in his love, will preserve him unshaken.

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

Your hand will reach all your foes, your right hand, all who hate you.

9 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.

You will make them like a furnace of fire, when you appear, Lord. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath. The fire will devour them.

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

You will sweep their offspring from the earth, their children from humanity.

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

When they scheme against you and hatch evil plots – they will fail.

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

For you aim your bow at their faces, make them turn in flight.

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

Be exalted, Lord, in your strength, to your might we shall sing and make music.