₁Beautiful words fill my mind,

as I compose this song for the king.

Like the pen of a good writer

my tongue is ready with a poem.

₂You are the most handsome of men;

you are an eloquent speaker.

God has always blessed you.

₃Buckle on your sword, mighty king;

you are glorious and majestic.

₄Ride on in majesty to victory

for the defence of truth and justice!

Your strength will win you great victories!

₅Your arrows are sharp,

they pierce the hearts of your enemies;

nations fall down at your feet.

₆The kingdom that God has given you

will last for ever and ever.

You rule over your people with justice;

₇you love what is right and hate what is evil.

That is why God, your God, has chosen you

and has poured out more happiness on you

than on any other king.

₈The perfume of myrrh and aloes is on your clothes;

musicians entertain you in palaces decorated with ivory.

₉Among the ladies of your court are daughters of kings,

and on the right of your throne stands the queen,

wearing ornaments of finest gold.

₁₀Bride of the king, listen to what I say —

forget your people and your relatives.

₁₁Your beauty will make the king desire you;

he is your master, so you must obey him.

₁₂The people of Tyre will bring you gifts;

rich people will try to win your favour.

₁₃The princess is in the palace — how beautiful she is!

Her gown is made of gold thread.

₁₄In her colourful gown she is led to the king,

followed by her bridesmaids,

and they also are brought to him.

₁₅With joy and gladness they come

and enter the king's palace.

₁₆You, my king, will have many sons

to succeed your ancestors as kings,

and you will make them rulers over the whole earth.

₁₇My song will keep your fame alive for ever,

and everyone will praise you for all time to come.

₄Happy are those who trust the LORD,

who do not turn to idols

or join those who worship false gods.

₅You have done many things for us, O LORD our God;

there is no one like you!

You have made many wonderful plans for us.

I could never speak of them all —

their number is so great!

₆You do not want sacrifices and offerings;

you do not ask for animals burnt whole on the altar

or for sacrifices to take away sins.

Instead, you have given me ears to hear you,

₇and so I answered, “Here I am;

your instructions for me are in the book of the Law.

₈How I love to do your will, my God!

I keep your teaching in my heart.”

₉In the assembly of all your people, LORD,

I told the good news that you save us.

You know that I will never stop telling it.

₁₀I have not kept the news of salvation to myself;

I have always spoken of your faithfulness and help.

In the assembly of all your people I have not been silent

about your loyalty and constant love.