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Praise for Victory[a]

21 The king is glad, O Lord, because you gave him strength;
    he rejoices because you made him victorious.
You have given him his heart's desire;
    you have answered his request.

You came to him with great blessings
    and set a crown of gold on his head.
He asked for life, and you gave it,
    a long and lasting life.

His glory is great because of your help;
    you have given him fame and majesty.
Your blessings are with him forever,
    and your presence fills him with joy.

The king trusts in the Lord Almighty;
    and because of the Lord's constant love
    he will always be secure.
The king will capture all his enemies;
    he will capture everyone who hates him.
He will destroy them like a blazing fire
    when he appears.

The Lord will devour them in his anger,
    and fire will consume them.
10 None of their descendants will survive;
    the king will kill them all.

11 They make their plans, and plot against him,
    but they will not succeed.
12 He will shoot his arrows at them
    and make them turn and run.

13 We praise you, Lord, for your great strength!
    We will sing and praise your power.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 21:1 HEBREW TITLE: A psalm by David.

21 (0) For the leader. A psalm of David:

(1) Adonai, the king finds joy in your strength;
what great joy he displays in your victory!
(2) You give him his heart’s desire;
you don’t refuse the prayer from his lips. (Selah)

(3) For you come to meet him with the best blessings,
you place a crown of fine gold on his head.
(4) He asks you for life; you give it to him,
years and years forever and ever.

(5) Your victory brings him great glory;
you confer on him splendor and honor.
(6) For you bestow on him everlasting blessings,
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
(7) For the king puts his trust in Adonai,
in the grace of ‘Elyon; he will not be moved.

(8) Your hand will find all your enemies;
your right hand will overtake those who hate you.
10 (9) At your appearing,
you will make them like a fiery furnace.
Adonai will swallow them up in his anger;
fire will consume them.
11 (10) You will destroy from the earth their descendants,
rid humankind of their posterity;
12 (11) for they intended evil against you;
but despite their scheme, they won’t succeed.
13 (12) For you will make them turn their back
by aiming your bow at their faces.

14 (13) Arise, Adonai, in your strength;
and we will sing and praise your power.

21 1-7 Your strength, God, is the king’s strength.
    Helped, he’s hollering Hosannas.
You gave him exactly what he wanted;
    you didn’t hold back.
You filled his arms with gifts;
    you gave him a right royal welcome.
He wanted a good life; you gave it to him,
    and then made it a long life as a bonus.
You lifted him high and bright as a cumulus cloud,
    then dressed him in rainbow colors.
You pile blessings on him;
    you make him glad when you smile.
Is it any wonder the king loves God?
    that he’s sticking with the Best?

8-12 With a fistful of enemies in one hand
    and a fistful of haters in the other,
You radiate with such brilliance
    that they cringe as before a furnace.
Now the furnace swallows them whole,
    the fire eats them alive!
You purge the earth of their progeny,
    you wipe the slate clean.
All their evil schemes, the plots they cook up,
    have fizzled—every one.
You sent them packing;
    they couldn’t face you.

13 Show your strength, God, so no one can miss it.
    We are out singing the good news!