Psalms21

Psalm 21 is a psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating the LORD's abundant blessings upon the king. It recounts how God has granted the king's desires, bestowed glory and eternal life, and established his reign. The psalm also declares God's sure judgment against the king's enemies, concluding with a call to praise the LORD's strength.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Thanksgiving for the King's Deliverance

1
The king shall joy in thy strength, O Jehovah; And in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! ​
2
Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, And hast not withholden the request of his lips. [Selah
3
For thou meetest him with the blessings of goodness: Thou settest a crown of fine gold on his head. ​
4
He asked life of thee, thou gavest it him, Even length of days for ever and ever. ​
5
His glory is great in thy salvation: Honor and majesty dost thou lay upon him.
6
For thou makest him most blessed for ever: Thou makest him glad with joy in thy presence.
7
For the king trusteth in Jehovah; And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he shall not be moved. ​

Confidence in Future Victory over Enemies

8
Thy hand will find out all thine enemies; Thy right hand will find out those that hate thee. ​
9
Thou wilt make them as a fiery furnace in the time of thine anger: Jehovah will swallow them up in his wrath, And the fire shall devour them. ​
10
Their fruit wilt thou destroy from the earth, And their seed from among the children of men. ​
11
For they intended evil against thee; They conceived a device which they are not able to perform.
12
For thou wilt make them turn their back; Thou wilt make ready with thy bowstrings against their face. ​

A Final Doxology

13
Be thou exalted, O Jehovah, in thy strength: So will we sing and praise thy power. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 21

Verse 1

Psalms 21 is a royal psalm of thanksgiving, likely recited after a major military victory or deliverance, serving as a counterpart to the prayer offered in Psalm 20.

Verse 3

The Hebrew word translated 'preventest' means 'to meet or anticipate.' God anticipated the king’s needs with blessings, affirming his divine appointment by setting a crown upon him.

Verse 4

The phrase 'length of days for ever and ever' refers primarily to the promise of an enduring dynasty (2 Samuel 7:16), though Christian tradition applies this verse messianically to Christ, the ultimate Davidic King.

Verse 7

The stability and security of the king are rooted not in his own military might, but in his unwavering trust in the covenant faithfulness ('mercy') of the Most High (El Elyon).

Verse 8

The focus shifts from past blessings to the powerful assurance of future judgment against those who oppose the king and, by extension, God’s rule.

Verse 9

The metaphor of the 'fiery oven' denotes complete and consuming destruction, emphasizing that the judgment comes directly from the fierce, inescapable wrath of the LORD.

Verse 10

Destroying the 'fruit' (offspring) and 'seed' signifies total annihilation of the enemy's lineage, ensuring they leave no physical or historical trace among the living.

Verse 12

This vivid war imagery depicts the enemies turning their back (fleeing) as God prepares his judgment, indicating a complete rout initiated by divine intervention.

Verse 13

This concluding verse shifts the focus back from the celebrating human king to the glorious source of all power, calling the gathered community to perpetual worship of YHWH's strength.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options