Psalms 21:3

KJV

For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

KJV (with Strong's)

For thou preventest {H6923} him with the blessings {H1293} of goodness {H2896}: thou settest {H7896} a crown {H5850} of pure gold {H6337} on his head {H7218}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For you come to meet him with the best blessings, you place a crown of fine gold on his head.

Berean Standard Bible

For You welcomed him with rich blessings; You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.

American Standard Version

For thou meetest him with the blessings of goodness: Thou settest a crown of fine gold on his head.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 21:3 profoundly celebrates the Lord's proactive and abundant benevolence towards His anointed king. It declares that God anticipates the king's needs, going before him with a lavish outpouring of blessings that flow from His inherent goodness. Furthermore, the verse highlights God's direct act of bestowing upon the king a crown of pure gold, symbolizing divine honor, legitimate authority, and enduring favor. This passage underscores that true kingship, prosperity, and success are not human achievements but gracious gifts originating from God's sovereign will and faithful character.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 21 is a royal psalm of thanksgiving, serving as a triumphant counterpart to Psalms 20, which was a prayer offered *before* battle. Psalms 21, by contrast, is a joyous hymn of gratitude and praise *after* God has granted a decisive victory to the king. The psalm opens with the king's exultation in God's strength and salvation, as seen in [Psalms 21:1](/psalms/21-1 "Psalm 21:1 - The King's Joy in God's Strength"), immediately setting a tone of divine enablement and success. Our verse, [Psalms 21:3](/psalms/21-3 "Psalm 21:3 - God's Proactive Blessings and Royal Crown"), details the specific nature of these divine blessings, emphasizing God's initiative in bestowing them and the tangible symbol of royal affirmation. The subsequent verses, such as [Psalms 21:4-6](/psalms/21-4-6 "Psalm 21:4-6 - God Grants the King's Desire and Life"), continue to elaborate on the king's extended life, glory, and joy, all attributed to God's favor. The psalm concludes with a confident declaration of the king's unwavering trust in God and a prophetic assurance of future triumphs over enemies, attributing all glory and power to the Lord, as echoed in [Psalms 21:8-13](/psalms/21-8-13 "Psalm 21:8-13 - Triumph Over Enemies and Praise to God").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm is firmly rooted in the historical and cultural milieu of the Davidic monarchy in ancient Israel. The "him" in the verse refers to the reigning king, most likely King David himself or one of his successors within the covenant line. In the ancient Near East, kings often claimed divine sanction for their rule, but in Israel, this concept was uniquely defined by the covenant God established with David, promising an eternal dynasty and a perpetual throne, as detailed in [2 Samuel 7](/2-samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). Crowns were universally recognized symbols of royal authority, honor, and sovereignty. The act of God "setting a crown" on the king's head would have been understood as a direct divine investiture, legitimizing the king's rule in the eyes of the people and signifying God's active, personal involvement in his reign. The blessings referred to were not merely abstract but encompassed tangible victories in battle, national prosperity, and the personal well-being and longevity of the king, all perceived as clear evidence of divine favor and faithfulness to the covenant.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 21 contributes significantly to several foundational theological themes found throughout the Psalter and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Proactive Grace**, highlighting that God is not merely reactive to human prayers but actively "goes before" His people, anticipating their needs and showering them with blessings. This underscores God's initiative in His relationship with humanity. Secondly, the psalm deeply explores **Royal Theology**, showcasing God's intimate involvement in establishing, sustaining, and honoring the Davidic king. It emphasizes that the king's authority, success, and even his very life derive solely from God's power and inherent goodness, not from human strength or military might, a theme powerfully contrasted in [Psalms 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord"). Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **God's Unfailing Goodness and Faithfulness**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises and His abundant generosity towards His chosen one. Finally, the regal imagery, the emphasis on enduring blessing, and the divine nature of the king's authority subtly but powerfully point towards **Messianic Hope**. This foreshadows the ultimate King, the Messiah, whose reign would be eternal and whose crown would be of unparalleled glory and divine origin, a concept profoundly echoed in prophetic texts such as [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Coming Messiah's Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Preventest (Hebrew, _qâdam'_):** The KJV word "preventest" in this context carries an archaic meaning, distinct from its modern sense of hindering or stopping. Derived from the Hebrew verb H6923 (qâdam), it means "to project (one self), i.e. precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help); come (go, (flee)) before, [phrase] disappoint, meet, prevent." Therefore, "thou preventest him" signifies that God proactively goes ahead of the king, anticipating his needs and showering him with blessings even before they are sought or requested. This highlights God's initiative, foresight, and abundant grace.
* **Goodness (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** The Hebrew word H2896 (ṭôwb) is a rich and expansive term encompassing not just moral uprightness but also inherent quality, beauty, prosperity, welfare, and well-being. When used in the phrase "blessings of goodness," it emphasizes that the blessings bestowed by God flow directly from His very nature—His inherent, overflowing benevolence and perfect character. These are not grudging gifts but manifestations of His abundant and generous disposition, leading to a state of flourishing and comprehensive welfare for the recipient.
* **Crown (Hebrew, _ʻăṭârâh'_):** The Hebrew word H5850 (ʻăṭârâh) refers to a diadem or crown, a potent symbol of royalty, authority, honor, and victory. The addition of "pure gold" (H6337, pâz), which means "pure (gold); hence, gold itself (as refined); fine (pure) gold," intensifies its significance, denoting the highest quality, preciousness, and enduring nature of the honor. This crown is not merely a human ornament or a symbol of earthly power but a divine bestowal, symbolizing God's direct affirmation of the king's legitimate rule and the lasting honor and glory He confers upon him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness":** This initial clause reveals the proactive and profoundly benevolent nature of God. The Lord does not wait for the king to struggle, to be in dire need, or even to articulate a request; He "goes before" him, anticipating his requirements and showering him with an abundance of blessings that originate from His own inherent character of goodness (as defined by _ṭôwb_). This speaks to God's divine foresight, His overflowing generosity, and His active, initiating involvement in the king's life and reign, ensuring his prosperity, protection, and success.
* **"thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.":** This second clause describes a tangible and highly symbolic manifestation of God's favor, affirmation, and investiture. The act of God personally "setting a crown" on the king's head signifies divine appointment and legitimation of his rule. It is not a crown earned by human might or political maneuvering, but one divinely bestowed. The "crown of pure gold" emphasizes the preciousness, purity, and enduring quality of the honor, authority, and prosperity that God confers. It serves as a powerful symbol of divinely ordained kingship, indicating that the king's reign is not merely a human achievement but a sacred trust established, sustained, and honored by God Himself.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 21:3 masterfully employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message regarding God's relationship with His anointed king. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, particularly evident in the phrase "thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head." While a literal crown was part of ancient kingship, here the "crown of pure gold" serves as a rich metaphor for the king's divinely granted authority, honor, prosperity, and enduring reign. It symbolizes the fullness and preciousness of God's blessing and affirmation, transcending mere material wealth. The phrase "blessings of goodness" can be understood as a form of **Hendiadys**, where two nouns connected by "of" express a single, more complex idea, effectively meaning "good blessings" or "blessings that are inherently good and beneficial." Furthermore, the entire verse is imbued with powerful **Symbolism**, where the crown represents divine favor and legitimate rule, the king represents God's chosen leader, and the "pure gold" symbolizes the unblemished, precious, and lasting nature of God's gifts and covenant faithfulness. The proactive nature of God's action, conveyed by "preventest," also highlights His **Omniscience and Omnibenevolence**, portraying Him as a God who knows and provides for His people even before they are aware of their needs or articulate their requests.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 21:3 profoundly articulates the doctrine of God's proactive grace and sovereign election, a cornerstone of biblical theology. It teaches that God's blessings are not merely a reactive response to human merit, prayer, or petition, but flow from His inherent goodness, His covenant faithfulness, and His divine initiative. This divine initiative is powerfully evident in His establishment of the Davidic monarchy and His continuous, anticipatory provision for His anointed king. The verse highlights that true authority, enduring prosperity, and genuine honor are ultimately gifts from God, not achievements of human strength, wisdom, or political acumen. It underscores the theological truth that God anticipates the needs of His people, going before them with His favor and preparing the way for their flourishing. This Old Testament understanding deeply anticipates the New Testament concept of God's prevenient grace, where He acts on our behalf, drawing us to Himself, even before we are aware or capable of responding in faith.

* [Psalms 5:12](/psalms/5-12 "Psalm 5:12 - God's Favor as a Shield")
* [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "Proverbs 10:22 - The Blessing of the Lord")
* [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 21:3 offers a profound and comforting lens through which to understand God's character and His active involvement in the lives of His people. It challenges us to move beyond a transactional understanding of faith—where blessings are perceived solely as responses to our prayers or good deeds—and instead invites us to embrace the liberating truth of God's proactive goodness. He anticipates our needs, goes before us, and showers us with His favor even before we are fully aware of the need or have articulated a request. This deep understanding should cultivate profound trust and unwavering gratitude within us, freeing us from anxiety about the future and empowering us to live in confident assurance, knowing that our God is always working on our behalf. It calls us to humbly acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all honor, authority, and provision in every area of our lives, whether in our vocations, relationships, personal well-being, or spiritual growth. Recognizing His divine initiative and the "crowns" He places upon us should inspire us to respond with humble obedience, joyful praise, and a commitment to live lives that reflect the honor and purpose He has graciously bestowed upon us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life can you identify instances of God's "preventing" grace, where He acted on your behalf before you even realized the need or asked?**
* **How does understanding God's proactive goodness and His anticipatory blessings impact your trust in Him for future challenges, uncertainties, or unarticulated needs?**
* **What "crowns" (e.g., talents, opportunities, relationships, spiritual gifts, responsibilities) has God placed on your head, and how do you intentionally acknowledge Him as their ultimate and divine source?**

### FAQ
**What does the KJV word "preventest" mean in Psalms 21:3, and why is it used?**

Answer: In modern English, "prevent" typically means to stop or hinder something from happening. However, in the King James Version of the Bible, "preventest" (derived from the Latin *praevenio*) carries an older, archaic meaning: "to go before," "to anticipate," or "to precede." Thus, "For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness" means that God goes before the king, anticipating his needs and showering him with blessings and favor even before the king is aware of the need or has asked for them. This usage highlights God's proactive, initiating, and profoundly generous nature, demonstrating His active involvement on behalf of His chosen one. It underscores that God's goodness is not merely reactive but anticipatory.

**Why is the crown described specifically as "pure gold" in this verse, and what is its deeper significance?**

Answer: The description "pure gold" (Hebrew *paz*) is highly significant because it emphasizes the highest quality, preciousness, and enduring nature of the crown. In ancient cultures, gold was a universal symbol of royalty, immense wealth, and divine favor. By specifying "pure gold," the text signifies that the honor, authority, and prosperity bestowed by God upon the king are unblemished, of the highest possible value, and permanent. It underscores that the king's reign and all its accompanying blessings are not based on human strength, fleeting circumstances, or corruptible materials, but on the enduring, perfect, and unchangeable will of God. This crown is a powerful symbol of divine legitimacy, sacred trust, and the lasting glory that comes directly from God's hand, echoing themes of divine honor found elsewhere, such as in [Psalms 8:5](/psalms/8-5 "Psalm 8:5 - Crowned with Glory and Honor").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 21:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King. While initially applicable to the Davidic monarch, the regal imagery, the emphasis on divine favor, and the enduring nature of the "crown" powerfully foreshadow the Messiah. Jesus is the one whom God truly "prevented with the blessings of goodness," for He was chosen before the foundation of the world ([Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ before the Foundation of the World")), and all the fullness of God dwelt in Him bodily ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - All the Fullness of God in Christ")). God proactively prepared the way for His incarnation, His sinless life, and His redemptive work, anticipating humanity's greatest need for salvation and reconciliation. Furthermore, it is God the Father who definitively "set a crown of pure gold on his head." After His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God, where He was "crowned with glory and honour" ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Crowned with Glory and Honor")), having completed His redemptive mission. He is the "King of kings, and Lord of lords" ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), whose reign is not merely earthly or temporal but eternal and universal. His crown is not just of pure gold but of divine authority, perfect righteousness, and absolute dominion, a crown that will never fade or be diminished, ensuring His everlasting sovereignty over all creation, as prophesied in [Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Son of Man's Eternal Dominion").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 12:30

And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof [was] a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was [set] on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.

Ephesians 1:3

¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

Psalms 59:10

The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see [my desire] upon mine enemies.

Psalms 31:19

¶ [Oh] how great [is] thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; [which] thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

1 Chronicles 20:2

And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and [there were] precious stones in it; and it was set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the city.

Romans 11:35

Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.