Psalm 21

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes:

(vv.1-7) 134 Stockton, 23 Arnold

(vv.8-13) 146 Wigtown, 106 St Anne

1    The king in thy great strength, O Lord,

            shall very joyful be:

      In thy salvation rejoice

            how veh’mently shall he!

2    Thou hast bestowed upon him

            all that his heart would have;

      And thou from him didst not withhold

            whate’er his lips did crave.

3    For thou with blessings him prevent’st

            of goodness manifold;

      And thou hast set upon his head

            a crown of purest gold.

4    When he desired life of thee,

            thou life to him didst give;

      Ev’n such a length of days, that he

            for evermore should live.

5    In that salvation wrought by thee

            his glory is made great;

      Honour and comely majesty

            thou hast upon him set.

6    Because that thou for evermore

            most blessed hast him made;

      And thou hast with thy countenance

            made him exceeding glad.

7    Because the king upon the Lord

            his confidence doth lay;

      And through the grace of the Most High

            shall not be mov’d away.

8    Thine hand shall all those men find out

            that en’mies are to thee;

      Ev’n thy right hand shall find out those

            of thee that haters be.

9    Like fiery ov’n thou shalt them make,

            when kindled is thine ire;

      God shall them swallow in his wrath,

            devour them shall the fire.

10  Their fruit from earth thou shalt destroy,

            their seed men from among:

11  For they beyond their might ’gainst thee

            did plot mischief and wrong.

12  Thou therefore shalt make them turn back,

            when thou thy shafts shalt place

      Upon thy strings, made ready all

            to fly against their face.

13  In thy great pow’r and strength, O Lord,

            be thou exalted high;

      So shall we sing with joyful hearts,

            thy power praise shall we.