Psalm 20-21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 20
Prayer for Victory
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!(A)
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion.(B)
3 May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. Selah(C)
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans.(D)
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.(E)
6 Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories by his right hand.(F)
7 Some take pride in chariots and some in horses,
but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.(G)
8 They will collapse and fall,
but we shall rise and stand upright.(H)
9 Give victory to the king, O Lord;
answer us when we call.[a]
Psalm 21
Thanksgiving for Victory
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord,
and in your help how greatly he exults!(I)
2 You have given him his heart’s desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah(J)
3 For you meet him with rich blessings;
you set a crown of fine gold on his head.(K)
4 He asked you for life; you gave it to him—
length of days forever and ever.(L)
5 His glory is great through your help;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.(M)
6 You bestow on him blessings forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.(N)
8 Your hand will find out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.(O)
9 You will make them like a fiery furnace
when you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
and fire will consume them.(P)
10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth
and their children from among humankind.(Q)
11 If they plan evil against you,
if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.(R)
12 For you will put them to flight;
you will aim at their faces with your bows.(S)
13 Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.(T)
Footnotes
- 20.9 Gk: Heb give victory, O Lord; let the King answer us when we call
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.