The King’s Heart
(Psalm 21:1–13)

1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD;

He directs it where He pleases.

2All a man’s ways seem right to him,

but the LORD weighs the heart.

3To do righteousness and justice

is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—

the guides of the wicked—are sin.

5The plans of the diligent bring plenty,

as surely as haste leads to poverty.

6Making a fortune by a lying tongue

is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away

because they refuse to do what is just.

8The way of a guilty man is crooked,

but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9Better to live on a corner of the roof

than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

10The soul of the wicked man craves evil;

his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;

and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

12The Righteous Onea considers the house of the wicked

and brings the wicked to ruin.

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,

he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

14A gift in secret soothes anger,

and a covert bribeb pacifies great wrath.

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous,

but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

16The man who strays from the path of understanding

will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17He who loves pleasure will become poor;

the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,

and the faithless for the upright.

19Better to live in the desert

than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise,

but a foolish man consumes them.

21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion

finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty

and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

23He who guards his mouth and tongue

keeps his soul from distress.

24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—

of him who acts with excessive pride.

25The craving of the slacker kills him

because his hands refuse to work.

26All day long he covets more,

but the righteous give without restraint.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—

how much more so when brought with ill intent!

28A lying witness will perish,

but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

29A wicked man hardens his face,c

but the upright man makes his way sure.

30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel

that can prevail against the LORD.

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle,

but victory is of the LORD.