Prayer for the King
Psalms 60
Crying to God from the ends of the earth, the psalmist recalls being lifted onto a rock of safety and given shelter like a tower from the enemy, and asks to dwell forever in the Lord's tabernacle under the shadow of his wings. The psalm prays that the king's days be lengthened through all generations, promising to sing praise to God's name forever and perform daily vows.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonFor the end, among the Hymns of David.
GreekΕἰς τὸ τέλος, ἐν ὕμνοις τῷ Δαυίδ.
KJV—
JPS—
2
ThomsonHEAR, O God, my supplication: attend to this prayer of mine.
BrentonO God, hearken to my petition; attend to my prayer.
GreekΕἰσάκουσον ὁ Θεὸς τῆς δεήσεώς μου, πρόσχες τῇ προσευχῇ μου.
KJVHear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
JPSHear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer.
3
ThomsonFrom the extremity of the land, I cried to Thee, when my heart began to despond: at Petra Thou didst raise me up, and conduct me.
BrentonFrom the ends of the earth have I cried to thee, when my heart was in trouble: thou liftedst me up on a rock, thou didst guide me:
GreekἈπὸ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς πρὸς σὲ ἐκέκραξα, ἐν τῷ ἀκηδιάσαι τὴν καρδίαν μου, ἐν πέτρᾳ ὕψωσάς με, ὁδήγησάς με,
KJVFrom the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
JPSFrom the end of the earth will I call unto Thee, when my heart fainteth; Lead me to a rock that is too high for me.
4
ThomsonBecause Thou hast been my hope—a strong tower from the face of a foe;
Brentonbecause thou wert my hope, a tower of strength from the face of the enemy.
Greekὅτι ἐγενήθης ἐλπίς μου, πύργος ἰσχύος ἀπὸ προσώπου ἐχθροῦ.
KJVFor thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
JPSFor Thou hast been a refuge for me, A tower of strength in the face of the enemy.
5
ThomsonI shall dwell at Thy tabernacle forever—I shall be sheltered in the covert of Thy wings.
BrentonI will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever; I will shelter myself under the shadow of thy wings. Pause.
GreekΠαροικήσω ἐν τῷ σκηνώματί σου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, σκεπασθήσομαι ἐν σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγων σου· διάψαλμα.
KJVI will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
JPSI will dwell in Thy Tent for ever; I will take refuge in the covert of Thy wings. Selah
6
ThomsonBecause Thou, O God, hast heard my prayer—hast given a possession to them who fear Thy name;
BrentonFor thou, O God, hast heard my prayers; thou hast given an inheritance to them that fear thy name.
GreekὍτι σὺ ὁ Θεὸς εἰσήκουσας τῶν προσευχῶν μου, ἔδωκας κληρονομίαν τοῖς φοβουμένοις τὸ ὄνομά σου.
KJVFor thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
JPSFor Thou, O God, hast heard my vows; Thou hast granted the heritage of those that fear Thy name. .
7
ThomsonThou wilt add days to the days of a king, and prolong his years to endless ages;
BrentonThou shalt add days to the days of the king; thou shalt lengthen his years to all generations.
GreekἩμέρας ἐφʼ ἡμέρας βασιλέως προσθήσεις, τὰ ἔτη αὐτοῦ ἕως ἡμέρας γενεᾶς καὶ γενεᾶς.
KJVThou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.
JPSMayest Thou add days unto the king's days! May his years be as many generations!
8
Thomsonhe will continue forever in the presence of God. O that every of them may find out His mercy and truth!
BrentonHe shall endure for ever before God: which of them will seek out his mercy and truth?
GreekΔιαμενεῖ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἔλεος καὶ ἀλήθειαν αὐτοῦ τίς ἐκζητήσει αὐτῶν;
KJVHe shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
JPSMay he be enthroned before God for ever! Appoint mercy and truth, that they may preserve him.
9
ThomsonSo will I sing to Thy name forever, that I may, day by day, perform my vows.
BrentonSo will I sing to thy name for ever and ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
GreekΟὕτως ψαγῶ τῷ ὀνόματί σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, τοῦ ἀποδοῦναί με τὰς εὐχάς μου ἡμέραν ἐξ ἡμέρας.
KJVSo will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
JPSSo will I sing praise unto Thy name for ever, That I may daily perform my vows.