Psalm 20 - For the director of music. A psalm of David.             back to index

    ¹ May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
       may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

    ² May he send you help from the sanctuary
       and grant you support from Zion.

    ³ May he remember all your sacrifices
       and accept your burnt offerings.
       Selah

    ⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
       and make all your plans succeed.

    ⁵ We will shout for joy when you are victorious
       and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
       May the LORD grant all your requests.

    ⁶ Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
       he answers him from his holy heaven
       with the saving power of his right hand.

    ⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
       but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

    ⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
       but we rise up and stand firm.

    ⁹ O LORD, save the king!
       Answer us when we call!

    (Note: - In Ps 21, King David thanks God for answering the prayer of Ps 20)

Psalm 21 - For the director of music. A psalm of David.

    ¹ O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength.
       How great is his joy in the victories you give!

    ² You have granted him the desire of his heart
       and have not withheld the request of his lips.
       Selah

    ³ You welcomed him with rich blessings
       and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.

    ⁴ He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
       length of days, for ever and ever.

    ⁵ Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
       you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.

    ⁶ Surely you have granted him eternal blessings
       and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

    ⁷ For the king trusts in the LORD;
       through the unfailing love of the Most High
       he will not be shaken.

    ⁸ Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies;
       your right hand will seize your foes.

    ⁹ At the time of your appearing
       you will make them like a fiery furnace.
       In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up,
       and his fire will consume them.

    ¹⁰ You will destroy their descendants from the earth,
       their posterity from mankind.

    ¹¹ Though they plot evil against you
       and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed;

    ¹² for you will make them turn their backs
       when you aim at them with drawn bow.

    ¹³ Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength;
       we will sing and praise your might.