Psalm 19

The Witness of Creation and Scripture

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky[a] proclaims the work of His hands.(A)
Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge.[b]
There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard.
Their message[c] has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.(B)

In the heavens[d] He has pitched a tent for the sun.(C)
It is like a groom coming from the[e] bridal chamber;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles[f] to their other end;(D)
nothing is hidden from its heat.

The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;(E)
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.(F)
The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;(G)
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.(H)
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;(I)
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.(J)
10 They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;(K)
and sweeter than honey,
which comes from the honeycomb.(L)
11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them;
there is great reward in keeping them.(M)

12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.(N)
13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;(O)
do not let them rule over me.(P)
Then I will be innocent
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.(Q)
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You,(R)
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.(S)

Psalm 20

Deliverance in Battle

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

May Yahweh answer you in a day of trouble;(T)
may the name of Jacob’s God protect you.(U)
May He send you help from the sanctuary
and sustain you from Zion.(V)
May He remember all your offerings
and accept your burnt offering.(W)Selah

May He give you what your heart desires(X)
and fulfill your whole purpose.(Y)
Let us shout for joy at your victory(Z)
and lift the banner in the name of our God.(AA)
May Yahweh fulfill all your requests.(AB)

Now I know that the Lord gives victory to His anointed;(AC)
He will answer him from His holy heaven
with mighty victories from[g] His right hand.(AD)
Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses,
but we take pride in the name of Yahweh our God.(AE)
They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand firm.(AF)
Lord, give victory to the king!(AG)
May He[h] answer us on the day that we call.

Psalm 21

The King’s Victory

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

Lord, the king finds joy in Your strength.
How greatly he rejoices in Your victory!(AH)
You have given him his heart’s desire(AI)
and have not denied the request of his lips.(AJ)Selah
For You meet him with rich blessings;
You place a crown of pure gold on his head.(AK)
He asked You for life, and You gave it to him—
length of days forever and ever.(AL)
His glory is great through Your victory;
You confer majesty and splendor on him.(AM)
You give him blessings forever;(AN)
You cheer him with joy in Your presence.(AO)
For the king relies on the Lord;
through the faithful love of the Most High
he is not shaken.(AP)

Your hand will capture all your enemies;
your right hand will seize those who hate you.(AQ)
You will make them burn
like a fiery furnace when you appear;
the Lord will engulf them in His wrath,
and fire will devour them.(AR)
10 You will wipe their descendants from the earth
and their offspring from the human race.(AS)
11 Though they intend to harm[i] you
and devise a wicked plan, they will not prevail.(AT)
12 Instead, you will put them to flight
when you aim your bow[j] at their faces.(AU)

13 Be exalted, Lord, in Your strength;
we will sing and praise Your might.(AV)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 19:1 Or expanse
  2. Psalm 19:2 Or Day to day pours out speech, and night to night communicates knowledge
  3. Psalm 19:4 LXX, Sym, Syr, Vg; MT reads line
  4. Psalm 19:4 Lit In them
  5. Psalm 19:5 Lit his
  6. Psalm 19:6 Lit its circuit is
  7. Psalm 20:6 Some Hb mss, Aq, Sym, Jer, Syr read with the victorious might of
  8. Psalm 20:9 Or Lord, save. May the king
  9. Psalm 21:11 Lit they stretch out evil against
  10. Psalm 21:12 Lit aim with your bowstrings

Bible Gateway Recommends