Psalms 21:13

Psalm 21:13 is a powerful declaration of God's ultimate sovereignty and a commitment to worship Him in response to His manifest power. It serves as the concluding verse of a psalm of thanksgiving, likely offered by King David after a significant victory granted by the Lord.

Context

Psalm 21 is a royal psalm, often viewed as a companion to Psalm 20, which was a prayer for the king before battle. Psalm 21, however, is a joyful celebration of God's answer to that prayer, acknowledging the divine hand behind the king's success. The victory described is not attributed to human might but entirely to the Lord's strength and favor. This verse, therefore, acts as a climactic response, shifting from the specific triumph to a universal commitment to praise God for His inherent and undeniable power. It reflects the ancient Israelite understanding that national security and prosperity rested on God's intervention, not on military prowess alone (Psalm 20:7).

Key Themes

• God's Self-Exaltation: The phrase "Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength" is a prayer and a declaration that God's glory and supreme position are inherent to His being. His strength (Hebrew: 'oz) is not derived or dependent, but self-existent. It's a call for God to reveal His power in such a way that His supremacy is undeniable.
• Worship as a Response to Divine Power: The second part, "so will we sing and praise thy power," highlights that human worship is the natural and inevitable response when God's mighty deeds (Hebrew: gevurah) are displayed. It's a commitment from the community to acknowledge and celebrate God's effective strength through song and adoration. This connection between God's action and human praise is a recurring theme throughout the Psalms (Psalm 145:1).
• Trust in God's Strength Alone: The verse implicitly teaches reliance on divine power rather than human capability. The victory celebrated in the psalm is a testament to God's strength, inspiring the community to continue placing their faith in Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "exalted" (רום - rum) implies being lifted high, elevated, or magnified, signifying supreme honor and authority. "Strength" (עֹז - 'oz) refers to God's inherent might and formidable power, often in a military or governing context. The word "power" (גְּבוּרָה - gevurah) in the second clause speaks of acts of valor or mighty deeds, emphasizing the active demonstration of God's strength. Together, these terms underscore the absolute and active nature of God's omnipotence.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 21:13 offers profound encouragement and a call to worship. It reminds us that:

• Our focus should always be on the Lord's inherent power and His ability to act, rather than on our own limitations or the challenges we face.
• When we see God's hand at work in our lives or in the world, our natural and proper response should be to sing and praise His power. This isn't just an emotional outburst but a conscious act of acknowledging His sovereignty.
• This verse calls us to live a life of continuous praise, recognizing that God is always at work, demonstrating His strength, whether in grand victories or quiet moments of sustenance. Just as the ancient king relied on divine might, so too can we be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).