Sirach 47:2-11

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

² As the fat is set apart from the offering of well-being,
    so David was set apart from the Israelites.
³ He played with lions as though they were young goats,
    and with bears as though they were lambs of the flock.
⁴ In his youth did he not kill a giant,
    and take away the people’s disgrace,
when he whirled the stone in the sling
    and struck down the boasting Goliath?
⁵ For he called on the Lord, the Most High,
    and he gave strength to his right arm
to strike down a mighty warrior,
    and to exalt the power^[a] of his people.
⁶ So they glorified him for the tens of thousands he conquered,
    and praised him for the blessings bestowed by the Lord,
    when the glorious diadem was given to him.
⁷ For he wiped out his enemies on every side,
    and annihilated his adversaries the Philistines;
    he crushed their power^[b] to our own day.
⁸ In all that he did he gave thanks
    to the Holy One, the Most High, proclaiming his glory;
he sang praise with all his heart,
    and he loved his Maker.
⁹ He placed singers before the altar,
    to make sweet melody with their voices.^[c]
10 He gave beauty to the festivals,
    and arranged their times throughout the year,^[d]
while they praised God’s^[e] holy name,
    and the sanctuary resounded from early morning.
¹¹ The Lord took away his sins,
    and exalted his power^[f] forever;
he gave him a covenant of kingship
    and a glorious throne in Israel.