Font Size
Psalm 12-17
New King James Version
Psalm 12-17
New King James Version
Man’s Treachery and God’s Constancy
To the Chief Musician. (A)On [a]an eight-stringed harp. A Psalm of David.
12 Help,[b] Lord, for the godly man (B)ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
2 (C)They speak idly everyone with his neighbor;
With flattering lips and [c]a double heart they speak.
3 May the Lord [d]cut off all flattering lips,
And the tongue that speaks [e]proud things,
4 Who have said,
“With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own;
Who is lord over us?”
5 “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the Lord;
“I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
6 The words of the Lord are (D)pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
7 You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.
8 The wicked prowl on every side,
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
Trust in the Salvation of the Lord
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
13 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
(E)How long will You hide Your face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
(F)Enlighten my eyes,
(G)Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest my enemy say,
“I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Folly of the Godless, and God’s Final Triumph(H)
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
14 The (I)fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.
2 (J)The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
3 (K)They have all turned aside,
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge,
Who eat up my people as they eat bread,
And (L)do not call on the Lord?
5 There they are in great fear,
For God is with the generation of the righteous.
6 You shame the counsel of the poor,
But the Lord is his (M)refuge.
7 (N)Oh,[f] that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
(O)When the Lord brings back [g]the captivity of His people,
Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.
The Character of Those Who May Dwell with the Lord
A Psalm of David.
2 He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the (Q)truth in his heart;
3 He who (R)does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
(S)Nor does he [i]take up a reproach against his friend;
4 (T)In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the Lord;
He who (U)swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things (V)shall never be moved.
The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory
A (W)Michtam of David.
16 Preserve[j] me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
(X)My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
3 As for the saints who are on the earth,
“They are the excellent ones, in (Y)whom is all my delight.”
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of (Z)blood I will not offer,
(AA)Nor take up their names on my lips.
5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You [k]maintain my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My [l]heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 (AB)I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will [m]rest in hope.
10 (AC)For You will not leave my soul in [n]Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to [o]see corruption.
11 You will show me the (AD)path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Prayer with Confidence in Final Salvation
A Prayer of David.
17 Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.
3 You have tested my heart;
You have visited me in the night;
(AE)You have [p]tried me and have found [q]nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not (AF)transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
5 (AG)Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.
6 (AH)I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who [r]save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the [s]apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They have closed up their (AI)fat hearts;
With their mouths they (AJ)speak proudly.
11 They have now surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,
12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O Lord,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
14 With Your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.
15 As for me, (AK)I will see Your face in righteousness;
(AL)I shall be satisfied when I (AM)awake in Your likeness.
Footnotes
- Psalm 12:1 Heb. sheminith
- Psalm 12:1 Save
- Psalm 12:2 An inconsistent mind
- Psalm 12:3 destroy
- Psalm 12:3 great
- Psalm 14:7 Lit. Who will give out of Zion the salvation of Israel?
- Psalm 14:7 Or His captive people
- Psalm 15:1 sojourn
- Psalm 15:3 receive
- Psalm 16:1 Watch over
- Psalm 16:5 Lit. uphold
- Psalm 16:7 Mind, lit. kidneys
- Psalm 16:9 Or dwell securely
- Psalm 16:10 The abode of the dead
- Psalm 16:10 undergo
- Psalm 17:3 examined
- Psalm 17:3 Nothing evil
- Psalm 17:7 deliver
- Psalm 17:8 pupil
Psalm 12-17
New International Version
Psalm 12-17
New International Version
Psalm 12[a]
For the director of music. According to sheminith.[b] A psalm of David.
1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;(A)
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
2 Everyone lies(B) to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.(C)
3 May the Lord silence all flattering lips(D)
and every boastful tongue—(E)
4 those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;(F)
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
5 “Because the poor are plundered(G) and the needy groan,(H)
I will now arise,(I)” says the Lord.
“I will protect them(J) from those who malign them.”
6 And the words of the Lord are flawless,(K)
like silver purified(L) in a crucible,(M)
like gold[c] refined seven times.
7 You, Lord, will keep the needy safe(N)
and will protect us forever from the wicked,(O)
8 who freely strut(P) about
when what is vile is honored by the human race.
Psalm 13[d]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 How long,(Q) Lord? Will you forget me(R) forever?
How long will you hide your face(S) from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts(T)
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?(U)
3 Look on me(V) and answer,(W) Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes,(X) or I will sleep in death,(Y)
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,(Z)”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.(AA)
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;(AB)
my heart rejoices in your salvation.(AC)
6 I will sing(AD) the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 14(AE)
For the director of music. Of David.
1 The fool[e] says in his heart,
“There is no God.”(AF)
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven(AG)
on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,(AH)
any who seek God.(AI)
3 All have turned away,(AJ) all have become corrupt;(AK)
there is no one who does good,(AL)
not even one.(AM)
4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?(AN)
They devour my people(AO) as though eating bread;
they never call on the Lord.(AP)
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is their refuge.(AQ)
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!(AR)
When the Lord restores(AS) his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
2 The one whose walk is blameless,(AW)
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth(AX) from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,(AY)
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors(AZ) those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath(BA) even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;(BB)
who does not accept a bribe(BC) against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.(BD)
Psalm 16
A miktam[f] of David.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;(BG)
apart from you I have no good thing.”(BH)
3 I say of the holy people(BI) who are in the land,(BJ)
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods(BK) will suffer(BL) more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names(BM) on my lips.
5 Lord, you alone are my portion(BN) and my cup;(BO)
you make my lot(BP) secure.
6 The boundary lines(BQ) have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.(BR)
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;(BS)
even at night(BT) my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand,(BU) I will not be shaken.(BV)
9 Therefore my heart is glad(BW) and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,(BX)
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,(BY)
nor will you let your faithful[g] one(BZ) see decay.(CA)
11 You make known to me the path of life;(CB)
you will fill me with joy in your presence,(CC)
with eternal pleasures(CD) at your right hand.(CE)
Psalm 17
A prayer of David.
1 Hear me,(CF) Lord, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.(CG)
Hear(CH) my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.(CI)
2 Let my vindication(CJ) come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.(CK)
3 Though you probe my heart,(CL)
though you examine me at night and test me,(CM)
you will find that I have planned no evil;(CN)
my mouth has not transgressed.(CO)
4 Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
5 My steps have held to your paths;(CP)
my feet have not stumbled.(CQ)
6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;(CR)
turn your ear to me(CS) and hear my prayer.(CT)
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,(CU)
you who save by your right hand(CV)
those who take refuge(CW) in you from their foes.
8 Keep me(CX) as the apple of your eye;(CY)
hide me(CZ) in the shadow of your wings(DA)
9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.(DB)
10 They close up their callous hearts,(DC)
and their mouths speak with arrogance.(DD)
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,(DE)
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion(DF) hungry for prey,(DG)
like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
13 Rise up,(DH) Lord, confront them, bring them down;(DI)
with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
from those of this world(DJ) whose reward is in this life.(DK)
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
may their children gorge themselves on it,
and may there be leftovers(DL) for their little ones.
Footnotes
- Psalm 12:1 In Hebrew texts 12:1-8 is numbered 12:2-9.
- Psalm 12:1 Title: Probably a musical term
- Psalm 12:6 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text earth
- Psalm 13:1 In Hebrew texts 13:1-6 is numbered 13:2-6.
- Psalm 14:1 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Psalms denote one who is morally deficient.
- Psalm 16:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 16:10 Or holy
Psalm 19-21
New King James Version
Psalm 19-21
New King James Version
The Perfect Revelation of the Lord
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
19 The (A)heavens declare the glory of God;
And the (B)firmament[a] shows [b]His handiwork.
2 Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
4 (C)Their [c]line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a [d]tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
(D)And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
6 Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 (E)The law of the Lord is perfect, [e]converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making (F)wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than (G)gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the [f]honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors?
(H)Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from (I)presumptuous sins;
Let them not have (J)dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of [g]great transgression.
14 (K)Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my [h]strength and my (L)Redeemer.
The Assurance of God’s Saving Work
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
20 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob [i]defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And (M)fulfill all your [j]purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the Lord saves His [k]anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in (N)horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.
Joy in the Salvation of the Lord
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
21 The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord;
And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire,
And have not withheld the (O)request of his lips. Selah
3 For You meet him with the blessings of goodness;
You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
4 (P)He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—
Length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great in Your salvation;
Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.
6 For You have made him most blessed forever;
(Q)You have made him [l]exceedingly glad with Your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord,
And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be [m]moved.
8 Your hand will find all Your enemies;
Your right hand will find those who hate You.
9 You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger;
The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath,
And the fire shall devour them.
10 Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth,
And their [n]descendants from among the sons of men.
11 For they intended evil against You;
They devised a plot which they are not able to (R)perform.
12 Therefore You will make them turn their back;
You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces.
13 Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power.
Footnotes
- Psalm 19:1 expanse of heaven
- Psalm 19:1 the work of His hands
- Psalm 19:4 LXX, Syr., Vg. sound; Tg. business
- Psalm 19:4 tent
- Psalm 19:7 restoring
- Psalm 19:10 honey in the combs
- Psalm 19:13 Or much
- Psalm 19:14 Lit. rock
- Psalm 20:1 Lit. set you on high
- Psalm 20:4 counsel
- Psalm 20:6 Commissioned one, Heb. messiah
- Psalm 21:6 Lit. joyful with gladness
- Psalm 21:7 shaken
- Psalm 21:10 Lit. seed
Psalm 19-21
New International Version
Psalm 19-21
New International Version
Psalm 19[a]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens(A) declare(B) the glory of God;(C)
the skies(D) proclaim the work of his hands.(E)
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.(F)
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.(G)
In the heavens God has pitched a tent(H) for the sun.(I)
5 It is like a bridegroom(J) coming out of his chamber,(K)
like a champion(L) rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens(M)
and makes its circuit to the other;(N)
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7 The law of the Lord(O) is perfect,(P)
refreshing the soul.(Q)
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,(R)
making wise the simple.(S)
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,(T)
giving joy(U) to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.(V)
9 The fear of the Lord(W) is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.(X)
10 They are more precious than gold,(Y)
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,(Z)
than honey from the honeycomb.(AA)
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.(AB)
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;(AC)
may they not rule over me.(AD)
Then I will be blameless,(AE)
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing(AF) in your sight,
Lord, my Rock(AG) and my Redeemer.(AH)
Psalm 20[c]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;(AI)
may the name of the God of Jacob(AJ) protect you.(AK)
2 May he send you help(AL) from the sanctuary(AM)
and grant you support(AN) from Zion.(AO)
3 May he remember(AP) all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.[d](AQ)
4 May he give you the desire of your heart(AR)
and make all your plans succeed.(AS)
5 May we shout for joy(AT) over your victory
and lift up our banners(AU) in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.(AV)
6 Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.(AW)
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.(AX)
7 Some trust in chariots(AY) and some in horses,(AZ)
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.(BA)
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,(BB)
but we rise up(BC) and stand firm.(BD)
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us(BE) when we call!
Psalm 21[e]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
2 You have granted him his heart’s desire(BH)
and have not withheld the request of his lips.[f]
3 You came to greet him with rich blessings
and placed a crown of pure gold(BI) on his head.(BJ)
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
length of days, for ever and ever.(BK)
5 Through the victories(BL) you gave, his glory is great;
you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.(BM)
6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings
and made him glad with the joy(BN) of your presence.(BO)
7 For the king trusts in the Lord;(BP)
through the unfailing love(BQ) of the Most High(BR)
he will not be shaken.(BS)
8 Your hand will lay hold(BT) 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.(BU)
10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth,
their posterity from mankind.(BV)
11 Though they plot evil(BW) against you
and devise wicked schemes,(BX) they cannot succeed.
12 You will make them turn their backs(BY)
when you aim at them with drawn bow.
Footnotes
- Psalm 19:1 In Hebrew texts 19:1-14 is numbered 19:2-15.
- Psalm 19:4 Septuagint, Jerome and Syriac; Hebrew measuring line
- Psalm 20:1 In Hebrew texts 20:1-9 is numbered 20:2-10.
- Psalm 20:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
- Psalm 21:1 In Hebrew texts 21:1-13 is numbered 21:2-14.
- Psalm 21:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.