TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 21

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1For the leader. A psalm of David.

אלַמְנַצֵּחַ מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד׃

2Hashem, the king rejoices in Your strength; how greatly he exults in Your victory!

ביְהֹוָה בְּעָזְּךָ יִשְׂמַח־מֶלֶךְ וּבִישׁוּעָתְךָ מַה־יגיל [יָּגֶל] מְאֹד׃

3You have granted him the desire of his heart, have not denied the request of his lips. Selah.

גתַּאֲוַת לִבּוֹ נָתַתָּה לּוֹ וַאֲרֶשֶׁת שְׂפָתָיו בַּל־מָנַעְתָּ סֶּלָה׃

4You have proffered him blessings of good things, have set upon his head a crown of fine gold.

kee t'-ka-d'-ME-nu bir-KHOT TOV ta-SHEET l'-ro-SHO a-TE-ret PAZ

דכִּי־תְקַדְּמֶנּוּ בִּרְכוֹת טוֹב תָּשִׁית לְרֹאשׁוֹ עֲטֶרֶת פָּז׃

V

 21:4   Set upon his head a crown of fine gold

Welcome sign, Ateret, Israel

This psalm praises the king of Israel and prays that he conquer Israel’s enemies. Hashem places a gold crown on his head, as a symbol of His protection and providence. The first king of Israel, Shaul, came from the tribe of Binyamin. The prophet Shmuel anoints him in the hills of Efraim and the nation rallies behind him and crowns him king. In 1981, a few families established a new community in the land of the tribe of Binyamin. They called the village Ateret, the Hebrew word used in this verse for ‘crown.’ Over the years, the settlement has grown and now boasts hundreds of people, synthesizing working the land with a commitment to God and the nation.

5He asked You for life; You granted it; a long life, everlasting.

החַיִּים שָׁאַל מִמְּךָ נָתַתָּה לּוֹ אֹרֶךְ יָמִים עוֹלָם וָעֶד׃

6Great is his glory through Your victory; You have endowed him with splendor and majesty.

וגָּדוֹל כְּבוֹדוֹ בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ הוֹד וְהָדָר תְּשַׁוֶּה עָלָיו׃

7You have made him blessed forever, gladdened him with the joy of Your presence.

זכִּי־תְשִׁיתֵהוּ בְרָכוֹת לָעַד תְּחַדֵּהוּ בְשִׂמְחָה אֶת־פָּנֶיךָ׃

8For the king trusts in Hashem; Through the faithfulness of the Most High he will not be shaken.

חכִּי־הַמֶּלֶךְ בֹּטֵחַ בַּיהֹוָה וּבְחֶסֶד עֶלְיוֹן בַּל־יִמּוֹט׃

9Your hand is equal to all Your enemies; Your right hand overpowers Your foes.

טתִּמְצָא יָדְךָ לְכָל־אֹיְבֶיךָ יְמִינְךָ תִּמְצָא שֹׂנְאֶיךָ׃

10You set them ablaze like a furnace when You show Your presence. Hashem in anger destroys them; fire consumes them.

יתְּשִׁיתֵמוֹ כְּתַנּוּר אֵשׁ לְעֵת פָּנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה בְּאַפּוֹ יְבַלְּעֵם וְתֹאכְלֵם אֵשׁ׃

11You wipe their offspring from the earth, their issue from among men.

יאפִּרְיָמוֹ מֵאֶרֶץ תְּאַבֵּד וְזַרְעָם מִבְּנֵי אָדָם׃

12For they schemed against You; they laid plans, but could not succeed.

יבכִּי־נָטוּ עָלֶיךָ רָעָה חָשְׁבוּ מְזִמָּה בַּל־יוּכָלוּ׃

13For You make them turn back by Your bows aimed at their face.

יגכִּי תְּשִׁיתֵמוֹ שֶׁכֶם בְּמֵיתָרֶיךָ תְּכוֹנֵן עַל־פְּנֵיהֶם׃

14Be exalted, Hashem, through Your strength; we will sing and chant the praises of Your mighty deeds.

ידרוּמָה יְהֹוָה בְּעֻזֶּךָ נָשִׁירָה וּנְזַמְּרָה גְּבוּרָתֶךָ׃