The King’s Heart (Psalm 21:1–13)
1 ULT The heart of a king{ is} channels of water in the hand of Yahweh; he steers it according to all that he desires. BSB BSB: The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2 ULT Every way of a man{ is} right in his eyes, but Yahweh examines hearts. BSB BSB: All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 ULT To do righteousness and justice is preferred to Yahweh more than a sacrifice. BSB BSB: To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 ULT Height of eyes and broadness of heart, the lamp of wicked ones,{ are} sin. BSB BSB: Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.
5 ULT The plans of the diligent{ one} surely{ are} to profit, but everyone hurrying about surely{ is} to lack. BSB BSB: The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 ULT The making of treasures by a tongue of falsehood{ is} scattered vapor, seekers of death. BSB BSB: Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7 ULT The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do justice. BSB BSB: The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8 ULT Perverse{ is} the way of a guilty man, but the pure{ one}, upright{ is} his behavior. BSB BSB: The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 ULT Better to dwell on the corner of a roof than{ with} a woman of quarrels and a house of companionship. BSB BSB: Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 ULT The soul of the wicked{ one} craves evil; his neighbor is not shown grace in his eyes. BSB BSB: The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 ULT When fining a mocker, a naive one becomes wise, and when giving insight to a wise one, he receives knowledge. BSB BSB: When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12 ULT A righteous{ one} evaluates the house of a wicked{ one}; overturning the wicked to evil. BSB BSB: The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 ULT One who shuts his ears from the outcry of a lowly one, he also will cry out but will not be answered. BSB BSB: Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14 ULT A gift in secrecy subdues nose, and a bribe in the bosom, strong heat. BSB BSB: A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15 ULT A joy for the righteous{ is} doing justice, but a terror for doers of iniquity. BSB BSB: Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16 ULT A man wandering from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the spirits of the dead. BSB BSB: The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 ULT A man of lack loves joy; a lover of wine and oil will not become rich. BSB BSB: He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18 ULT A ransom for the righteous{ one}{ is} a wicked{ one}, and instead of the upright, one who acts treacherously. BSB BSB: The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 ULT Better to dwell in a land of wilderness than{ with} a woman of quarrels and vexation. BSB BSB: Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20 ULT Desirable treasure and oil{ are} in the home of a wise{ one}, but a stupid man swallows it up. BSB BSB: Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21 ULT A pursuer of righteousness and covenant faithfulness will find life, righteousness, and honor. BSB BSB: He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 ULT A wise{ one} ascends a city of mighty ones, and he brings down the strength of its confidence. BSB BSB: A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 ULT One who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from distress. BSB BSB: He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
24 ULT A presumptuous, haughty one,“Mocker”{ is} his name, acting with the rage of presumption. BSB BSB: Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.
25 ULT The desire of the lazy one causes him to die, for his hands refuse to act. BSB BSB: The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26 ULT All the day he desires desire for himself, but a righteous{ one} gives and does not withhold. BSB BSB: All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27 ULT The sacrifice of the wicked{ is} an abomination; how much more when he brings it with a wicked plan! BSB BSB: The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28 ULT A witness of lies will perish, but a listening man will speak to perpetuity. BSB BSB: A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29 ULT A wicked man strengthens his face, but an upright one, he considers his ways. BSB BSB: A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30 ULT There is no wisdom and there is no understanding and there is no counsel in front of Yahweh. BSB BSB: There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
31 ULT A horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the salvation{ is} of Yahweh. BSB BSB: A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.