Psalms 19:1--21:13

Psalm 19

For the music director; a psalm of David.

19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

the sky displays his handiwork.

19:2 Day after day it speaks out;

night after night it reveals his greatness.

19:3 There is no actual speech or word,

nor is its voice literally heard.

19:4 Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth;

its words carry to the distant horizon.

In the sky he has pitched a tent for the sun.

19:5 Like a bridegroom it emerges from its chamber;

like a strong man it enjoys running its course.

19:6 It emerges from the distant horizon,

and goes from one end of the sky to the other;

nothing can escape its heat.

19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect

and preserves one’s life.

The rules set down by the Lord are reliable

and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.

19:8 The Lord’s precepts are fair

and make one joyful.

The Lord’s commands are pure

and give insight for life.

19:9 The commands to fear the Lord are right

and endure forever.

The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy

and absolutely just.

19:10 They are of greater value than gold,

than even a great amount of pure gold;

they bring greater delight than honey,

than even the sweetest honey from a honeycomb.

19:11 Yes, your servant finds moral guidance there;

those who obey them receive a rich reward.

19:12 Who can know all his errors?

Please do not punish me for sins I am unaware of.

19:13 Moreover, keep me from committing flagrant sins;

do not allow such sins to control me.

Then I will be blameless,

and innocent of blatant rebellion.

19:14 May my words and my thoughts

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 20

For the music director; a psalm of David.

20:1 May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble;

may the God of Jacob make you secure!

20:2 May he send you help from his temple;

from Zion may he give you support!

20:3 May he take notice of your offerings;

may he accept your burnt sacrifice! (Selah)

20:4 May he grant your heart’s desire;

may he bring all your plans to pass!

20:5 Then we will shout for joy over your victory;

we will rejoice in the name of our God!

May the Lord grant all your requests!

20:6 Now I am sure that the Lord will deliver his chosen king;

he will intervene for him from his holy heavenly temple,

and display his mighty ability to deliver.

20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses,

but we depend on the Lord our God.

20:8 They will fall down,

but we will stand firm.

20:9 The Lord will deliver the king;

he will answer us when we call to him for help!

Psalm 21

For the music director; a psalm of David.

21:1 O Lord, the king rejoices in the strength you give;

he takes great delight in the deliverance you provide.

21:2 You grant him his heart’s desire;

you do not refuse his request. (Selah)

21:3 For you bring him rich blessings;

you place a golden crown on his head.

21:4 He asked you to sustain his life,

and you have granted him long life and an enduring dynasty.

21:5 Your deliverance brings him great honor;

you give him majestic splendor.

21:6 For you grant him lasting blessings;

you give him great joy by allowing him into your presence.

21:7 For the king trusts in the Lord,

and because of the sovereign Lord’s faithfulness he is not upended.

21:8 You prevail over all your enemies;

your power is too great for those who hate you.

21:9 You burn them up like a fiery furnace when you appear;

the Lord angrily devours them;

the fire consumes them.

21:10 You destroy their offspring from the earth,

their descendants from among the human race.

21:11 Yes, they intend to do you harm;

they dream up a scheme, but they do not succeed.

21:12 For you make them retreat

when you shoot your arrows at them.

21:13 Rise up, O Lord, in strength!

We will sing and praise your power!