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.

Thanksgiving for the King's Deliverance

1
The king rejoices in your strength, LORD! How greatly he rejoices in your salvation! ​
2
You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
3
For you meet him with the blessings of goodness. You set a crown of fine gold on his head. ​
4
He asked life of you, you gave it to him, even length of days forever and ever. ​
5
His glory is great in your salvation. You lay honor and majesty on him.
6
For you make him most blessed forever. You make him glad with joy in your presence.
7
For the king trusts in the LORD. Through the loving kindness of the Most High, he shall not be moved. ​

Confidence in Future Victory over Enemies

8
Your hand will find out all of your enemies. Your right hand will find out those who hate you. ​
9
You will make them as a fiery furnace in the time of your anger. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath. The fire shall devour them. ​
10
You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from among the children of men. ​
11
For they intended evil against you. They plotted evil against you which cannot succeed.
12
For you will make them turn their back, when you aim drawn bows at their face. ​

A Final Doxology

13
Be exalted, LORD, in your strength, so we will sing and praise your 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.

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