bible reading: Psalm 21

Psalm 21

Psalm 21^[a]

    For the director of music. A psalm of David.
 ¹ The king rejoices in your strength, LORD.
   How great is his joy in the victories you give!
 ² You have granted him his heart’s desire
   and have not withheld the request of his lips.^[b]
3 You came to greet him with rich blessings
   and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
⁴ He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
   length of days, for ever and ever.
⁵ Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
   you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
⁶ Surely you have granted him unending blessings
   and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
⁷ For the king trusts in the LORD;
   through the unfailing love of the Most High
   he will not be shaken.
 ⁸ Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies;
   your right hand will seize your foes.
⁹ When you appear for battle,
   you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace.
The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath,
   and his fire will consume them.
¹⁰ You will destroy their descendants from the earth,
   their posterity from mankind.
¹¹ Though they plot evil against you
   and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.
¹² You will make them turn their backs
   when you aim at them with drawn bow.
 ¹³ Be exalted in your strength, LORD;
   we will sing and praise your might.