The King’s Heart
(Psalm 21:1–13)

1The kynges heart is in the hand of the Lord, lyke as are the riuers of water, he maye turne it whyther soeuer he wyll.

2Euery mans way seemeth right in his owne eyes: but the Lorde pondereth the heart.

3To do righteousnes and iudgement, is more acceptable to the Lorde then sacrifice.

4An high looke, a proude heart, and the plowing of the vngodly is sinne.

5The deuises of one that is diligent, bring plenteousnesse: but he that is vnaduised, commeth vnto pouertie.

6To hoorde vp riches with a deceiptfull tongue, is vanitie tossed to and fro of them that seeke death.

7The robberies of the vngodly shalbe their owne destruction: for they wyll not do the thing that is right.

8The way of the vngodly is frowarde and straunge: but of the pure man his worke is right.

9It is better to dwel in a corner on the house toppe, then with a brawling woman in a wide house.

10The soule of the vngodly wisheth euyll, and his neighbour findeth no fauour in his eyes.

11When the scornefull is punished, the ignoraunt take the better heede: and when the wyse is instructed, he wyll receaue vnderstanding.

12The righteous man wysely considereth the house of the wicked, and for their wickednesse God ouerthroweth the vngodly.

13Who so stoppeth his eares at the crying of the poore, he shall crye hym selfe and not be hearde.

14A priuie rewarde pacifieth displeasure: and a gyft in the bosome stylleth furiousnesse.

15The iust delighteth in doing the thing that is right: but destruction shalbe to the workers of wickednesse.

16The man that wandereth out of the way of wysdome, shall remaine in the congregation of the dead.

17He that hath pleasure in bankettes shalbe a poore man: and whoso delighteth in wyne and delicates, shall not be riche.

18The vngodly shalbe a raunsome for the righteous: and the wicked for the iust.

19It is better to dwell in the wyldernesse, then with a chydyng and an angrye woman.

20In a wise mans house there is a great treasure and oyle: but a foolishe body spendeth vp all.

21Who so foloweth righteousnesse and mercy, findeth both life, righteousnesse, and honour.

22A wyse man skaleth the citie of the mightie, & ouerthroweth the strength wherein they trusted.

23Who so kepeth his mouth and his tongue, the same kepeth his soule from troubles.

24He that is proude and arrogant; is called a scorner, whiche in his wrath worketh presumptuously.

25The desire of the slouthfull kylleth him: for his handes wyll not labour.

26He coueteth greedyly all day long: but the righteous geueth and spareth not.

27The sacrifice of the vngodly is abhomination: howe muche more when they offer the thing that is gotten with wickednesse?

28A false witnesse shall perishe: but a good man speaketh constantly what he hath hearde.

29An vngodly man hardeneth his face: but the iust refourmeth his owne way.

30There is no wysdome, there is no vnderstanding, there is no counsayle against the Lorde.

31The horse is prepared against the day of battayle: but the Lorde geueth victorie.