For the music director; a psalm of David.
19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the sky displays his handiwork.
19:2 Day after day it speaks out;
night after night it reveals his greatness.
19:3 There is no actual speech or word,
nor is its voice literally heard.
19:4 Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth;
its words carry to the distant horizon.
In the sky he has pitched a tent for the sun.
19:5 Like a bridegroom it emerges from its chamber;
like a strong man it enjoys running its course.
19:6 It emerges from the distant horizon,
and goes from one end of the sky to the other;
nothing can escape its heat.
19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect
and preserves one’s life.
The rules set down by the Lord are reliable
and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.
19:8 The Lord’s precepts are fair
and make one joyful.
The Lord’s commands are pure
and give insight for life.
19:9 The commands to fear the Lord are right
and endure forever.
The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy
and absolutely just.
19:10 They are of greater value than gold,
than even a great amount of pure gold;
they bring greater delight than honey,
than even the sweetest honey from a honeycomb.
19:11 Yes, your servant finds moral guidance there;
those who obey them receive a rich reward.
19:12 Who can know all his errors?
Please do not punish me for sins I am unaware of.
19:13 Moreover, keep me from committing flagrant sins;
do not allow such sins to control me.
Then I will be blameless,
and innocent of blatant rebellion.
19:14 May my words and my thoughts
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.
For the music director; a psalm of David.
20:1 May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble;
may the God of Jacob make you secure!
20:2 May he send you help from his temple;
from Zion may he give you support!
20:3 May he take notice of your offerings;
may he accept your burnt sacrifice! (Selah)
20:4 May he grant your heart’s desire;
may he bring all your plans to pass!
20:5 Then we will shout for joy over your victory;
we will rejoice in the name of our God!
May the Lord grant all your requests!
20:6 Now I am sure that the Lord will deliver his chosen king;
he will intervene for him from his holy heavenly temple,
and display his mighty ability to deliver.
20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses,
but we depend on the Lord our God.
20:8 They will fall down,
but we will stand firm.
20:9 The Lord will deliver the king;
he will answer us when we call to him for help!
For the music director; a psalm of David.
21:1 O Lord, the king rejoices in the strength you give;
he takes great delight in the deliverance you provide.
21:2 You grant him his heart’s desire;
you do not refuse his request. (Selah)
21:3 For you bring him rich blessings;
you place a golden crown on his head.
21:4 He asked you to sustain his life,
and you have granted him long life and an enduring dynasty.
21:5 Your deliverance brings him great honor;
you give him majestic splendor.
21:6 For you grant him lasting blessings;
you give him great joy by allowing him into your presence.
21:7 For the king trusts in the Lord,
and because of the sovereign Lord’s faithfulness he is not upended.
21:8 You prevail over all your enemies;
your power is too great for those who hate you.
21:9 You burn them up like a fiery furnace when you appear;
the Lord angrily devours them;
the fire consumes them.
21:10 You destroy their offspring from the earth,
their descendants from among the human race.
21:11 Yes, they intend to do you harm;
they dream up a scheme, but they do not succeed.
21:12 For you make them retreat
when you shoot your arrows at them.
21:13 Rise up, O Lord, in strength!
We will sing and praise your power!