The King’s Heart (Psalm 21:1–13)
1 WBS The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: 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 WBS Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. BSB BSB: All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 WBS 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 WBS A high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. BSB BSB: Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.
5 WBS The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. BSB BSB: The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 WBS The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death. BSB BSB: Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7 WBS The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; 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 WBS The way of man is froward and strange: 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 WBS It is better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling 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 WBS The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes. BSB BSB: The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 WBS 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 WBS The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. BSB BSB: The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 WBS Whoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, 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 WBS A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom, strong wrath. BSB BSB: A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15 WBS It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.BSB BSB: Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16 WBS The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain 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 WBS 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 WBS The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. BSB BSB: The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 WBS It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.BSB BSB: Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20 WBS There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.BSB BSB: Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21 WBS He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor. BSB BSB: He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 WBS A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth 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 WBS Whoever 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 WBS Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. BSB BSB: Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.
25 WBS The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor. BSB BSB: The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26 WBS He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. BSB BSB: All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27 WBS The sacrifice of the wicked is 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 WBS A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. BSB BSB: A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29 WBS A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. BSB BSB: A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30 WBS 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 WBS The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is from 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.