The King’s Heart (Psalm 21:1–13)
1 RV The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: he turneth it whithersoever he will. BSB BSB: The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2 RV Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the hearts. BSB BSB: All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 RV To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. BSB BSB: To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 RV An high look, and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin. BSB BSB: Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.
5 RV The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness: but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want. BSB BSB: The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 RV The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death. BSB BSB: Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7 RV The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; because they refuse to do judgment. BSB BSB: The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8 RV The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right. BSB BSB: The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 RV It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house. BSB BSB: Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 RV The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. BSB BSB: The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 RV When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. BSB BSB: When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12 RV The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked; how the wicked are overthrown to their ruin. BSB BSB: The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 RV Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard. BSB BSB: Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14 RV A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath. BSB BSB: A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15 RV It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. BSB BSB: Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16 RV The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the dead. BSB BSB: The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 RV He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. BSB BSB: He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18 RV The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright. BSB BSB: The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 RV It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman. BSB BSB: Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20 RV There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up. BSB BSB: Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21 RV He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. BSB BSB: He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 RV A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof. BSB BSB: A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 RV Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. BSB BSB: He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
24 RV The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride. BSB BSB: Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.
25 RV The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. BSB BSB: The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26 RV There is that coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not. BSB BSB: All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27 RV The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind! BSB BSB: The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28 RV A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged. BSB BSB: A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29 RV A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth his ways. BSB BSB: A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30 RV There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. BSB BSB: There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
31 RV The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but victory is of the LORD, 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.