Psalm 20

A Prayer for the King

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.

May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.

2May he send you help from his sanctuary

and strengthen you from Jerusalem.*20:2 Hebrew Zion.

3May he remember all your gifts

and look favorably on your burnt offerings.

Interlude

4May he grant your heart’s desires

and make all your plans succeed.

5May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory

and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.

May the Lord answer all your prayers.

6Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.

He will answer him from his holy heaven

and rescue him by his great power.

7Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,

but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

8Those nations will fall down and collapse,

but we will rise up and stand firm.

9Give victory to our king, O Lord!

Answer our cry for help.

Psalm 21

Praise to the Lord for the King’s Victory

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!

He shouts with joy because you give him victory.

2For you have given him his heart’s desire;

you have withheld nothing he requested.

Interlude

3You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.

You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.

4He asked you to preserve his life,

and you granted his request.

The days of his life stretch on forever.

5Your victory brings him great honor,

and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.

6You have endowed him with eternal blessings

and given him the joy of your presence.

7For the king trusts in the Lord.

The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.

8You will capture all your enemies.

Your strong right hand will seize all who hate you.

9You will throw them in a flaming furnace

when you appear.

The Lord will consume them in his anger;

fire will devour them.

10You will wipe their children from the face of the earth;

they will never have descendants.

11Although they plot against you,

their evil schemes will never succeed.

12For they will turn and run

when they see your arrows aimed at them.

13Rise up, O Lord, in all your power.

With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.

Psalm 61

A Prayer for the King’s Safety

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

1O God, listen to my cry!

Hear my prayer!

2From the ends of the earth,

I cry to you for help

when my heart is overwhelmed.

Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

3for you are my safe refuge,

a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.

4Let me live forever in your sanctuary,

safe beneath the shelter of your wings!

Interlude

5For you have heard my vows, O God.

You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.

6Add many years to the life of the king!

May his years span the generations!

7May he reign under God’s protection forever.

May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him.

8Then I will sing praises to your name forever

as I fulfill my vows each day.