Through the Bible – Day 199

₁My thoughts are filled

with beautiful words

for the king,

and I will use my voice

as a writer would use

pen and ink.

₂No one is as handsome as you!

Your words are always kind.

That is why God

will always bless you.

₃Mighty king, glorious ruler,

strap on your sword

₄and ride out in splendour!

Win victories for truth

and mercy and justice.

Do fearsome things

with your powerful arm.

₅Send your sharp arrows

through enemy hearts

and make all nations fall

at your feet.

₆You are God, and you will rule

for ever as king.

Your royal power

brings about justice.

₇You love justice and hate evil.

And so, your God chose you

and made you happier

than any of your friends.

₈The sweet aroma of the spices

myrrh, aloes, and cassia,

covers your royal robes.

You enjoy the music of harps

in palaces decorated

with ivory.

₉Daughters of kings are here,

and your bride stands

at your right side,

wearing a wedding gown

trimmed with pure gold.

₁₀Bride of the king,

listen carefully to me.

Forget your own people

and your father's family.

₁₁The king is your husband,

so do what he desires.

₁₂All the richest people

from the city of Tyre

will try to influence you

₁₃with precious treasures.

Your bride, my king,

has inward beauty,

and her wedding gown is woven

with threads of gold.

₁₄Wearing the finest garments,

she is brought to you,

followed by her young friends,

the bridesmaids.

₁₅Everyone is excited,

as they follow you

to the royal palace.

₁₆Your sons and your grandsons

will also be kings

as your ancestors were.

You will make them the rulers

everywhere on earth.

₁₇I will make your name famous

from now on,

and you will be praised

for ever and ever.

₁God is our mighty fortress,

always ready to help

in times of trouble.

₂And so, we won't be afraid!

Let the earth tremble

and the mountains tumble

into the deepest sea.

₃Let the ocean roar and foam,

and its raging waves

shake the mountains.

₄A river and its streams

bring joy to the city,

which is the sacred home

of God Most High.

₅God is in that city,

and it won't be shaken.

He will help it at dawn.

₆Nations rage! Kingdoms fall!

But at the voice of God

the earth itself melts.

₇The LORD All-Powerful

is with us.

The God of Jacob

is our fortress.

₈Come! See the fearsome things

the LORD has done on earth.

₉God brings wars to an end

all over the world.

He breaks the arrows,

shatters the spears,

and burns the shields.

₁₀Our God says, “Calm down,

and learn that I am God!

All nations on earth

will honour me.”

₁₁The LORD All-Powerful

is with us.

The God of Jacob

is our fortress.

₁All you nations,

clap your hands and shout

joyful praises to God.

₂The LORD Most High is fearsome,

the ruler of all the earth.

₃God has put every nation

under our power,

₄and he chose for us the land

that was the pride of Jacob,

his favourite.

₅God goes up to his throne,

as people shout

and trumpets blast.

₆Sing praises to God our King,

₇the ruler of all the earth!

Praise God with songs.

₈God rules the nations

from his sacred throne.

₉Their leaders come together

and are now the people

of Abraham's God.

All rulers on earth

surrender their weapons,

and God is greatly praised!