Psalm 20–21

Psalm 20

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble.

May the God of Jacob keep you safe.

²May he send you help from the sacred tent.

May he give you aid from Zion.

³May he remember all of your sacrifices.

May he accept your burnt offerings. Selah

⁴May he give you what your heart longs for.

May he make all of your plans succeed.

⁵We will shout with joy when you win the battle.

We will lift up our flags in the name of our God.

May the Lord give you everything you ask for.

⁶Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed king.

He answers him from his holy heaven.

The power of God’s right hand saves the king.

⁷Some trust in chariots. Some trust in horses.

But we trust in the Lord our God.

⁸They are brought to their knees and fall down.

But we get up and stand firm.

⁹Lord, save the king!

Answer us when we call out to you!

Psalm 21

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹Lord, the king is filled with joy because you are strong.

How great is his joy because you help him win his battles!

²You have given him what his heart longed for.

You haven’t kept back from him what his lips asked for. Selah

³You welcomed him with rich blessings.

You placed a crown of pure gold on his head.

⁴He asked you for life, and you gave it to him.

You promised him days that would never end.

⁵His glory is great because you helped him win his battles.

You have honored him with glory and majesty.

⁶You have given him blessings that will last forever.

You have made him glad and joyful because you are with him.

⁷The king trusts in the Lord.

The faithful love of the Most High God

will keep the king secure.

⁸You, the king, will capture all of your enemies.

Your right hand will take hold of them.

⁹When you appear,

you will be like a flaming furnace to them.

The Lord will swallow them up in his anger.

His fire will burn them up.

¹⁰You will wipe their children from the face of the earth.

You will remove them from the human race.

¹¹Your enemies make evil plans against you.

They think up evil things to do. But they can’t succeed.

¹²You will make them turn their backs and run away

when you aim your arrows at them.

¹³Lord, may you be honored because you are strong.

We will sing and praise your might.