The King's Heart is in the Lord's Hand

(Psalm 21:1-13)

1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the hearts.

3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4An high look, and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness: but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.

7The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; because they refuse to do judgment.

8The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked; how the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.

13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.

15It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the dead.

17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.

19It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.

21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride.

25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26There is that coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!

28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged.

29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth his ways.

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but victory is of the LORD,