The King’s Heart
(Psalm 21:1–13)

1Channels of water is the heart of a king in the hand of YHWH;

upon all that He wishes, He stretches it out.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,

and YHWH is measuring hearts.

3To do righteousness and justice

is chosen of YHWH above sacrifice.

4Loftiness of eyes and broadness of heart—

the guides of the wicked—are sin.

The plans of the diligent are surely to abundance,

and everyone hurrying about, surely to poverty.

6Working for treasures by a tongue of deception

is a vapor driven away of those seeking death.

7The violence of the wicked will drag them away,

for they refuse to do justice.

8The way of a guilty man is crooked,

and for a pure one, his work is straight.

9Better to sit on the corner of a roof,

than with a woman of quarrels and a house of company.

10The soul of a wicked one desires evil;

his neighbor shall not find favor in his eyes.

11By fining a mocker, a simple one is made wise;

and in giving understanding to a wise one, he receives knowledge.

12The Righteous One† considers the house of the wicked,

overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.

13One shutting his ears to the cry of the poor,

he also will cry out, and will not be answered.

14A gift in secret subdues anger,

and a bribe in the bosom,† strong rage.

15A joy for the righteous is doing justice,

and a terror for the workers of iniquity.

16A man wandering from the way of understanding

will come to rest in the assembly of Rephaim.

17The one loving pleasure is a man of need,

the one loving wine and oil will not become rich.

18A wicked one is a ransom for a righteous one,

and the one acting treacherously for upright ones.

19Better to dwell in a land of wilderness

than with a woman of quarrels and provocation.

20Treasure to be desired and oil are in the dwelling of a wise one,

and a foolish man swallows it up.

21One pursuing righteousness and loving devotion

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise one ascends a city of mighty ones,

and he brings down the stronghold of its confidence.

23The one guarding his mouth and his tongue

is guarding his soul from distress.

24The arrogant and haughty one—Mocker is his name—

he is acting in the outpouring of pride.

25The desire of the lazy one brings him death,

for his hands refuse to work.

26All the day he has desired his desire

and the righteous one gives and does not withhold.

27The sacrifice of wicked ones is an abomination—

how much more when he brings it in wickedness!

28A witness of falsehood will perish,

and the man being attentive will speak forever.

29A wicked man strengthens his face,†

and an upright one—he establishes his way.

30There is no wisdom and no understanding

and no counsel against YHWH.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

and the victory is of YHWH.