Psalm 21
Psalm 21 is a song of thanksgiving and praise, attributed to David. It celebrates God’s faithfulness in granting victory to the king and expresses gratitude for blessings, strength, and deliverance. It also looks forward to future triumphs, highlighting how God's favor strengthens the king and frustrates the plans of his enemies.
Psalm 21:1-7 (NKJV)
1 The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord;
And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
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 pure gold upon his head.
4 He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—
Length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great in Your salvation;
Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.
6 For You have made him most blessed forever;
You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord,
And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.
The psalm begins with the king’s joy in God’s strength and deliverance, celebrating victories that were achieved through divine intervention. God answers the king’s prayers and desires, granting him honor, majesty, and life. The imagery of a crown emphasizes the king’s God-given authority and blessings. David acknowledges that it is God’s presence and favor that make the king’s reign enduring and prosperous. His trust in the Lord ensures that his position will remain unshaken, as God's mercy sustains him continually.
Psalm 21:8-12 (NKJV)
8 Your hand will find all Your enemies;
Your right hand will find those who hate You.
9 You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger;
The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath,
And the fire shall devour them.
10 Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth,
And their descendants from among the sons of men.
11 For they intended evil against You;
They devised a plot which they are not able to perform.
12 Therefore You will make them turn their back;
You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces.
This section shifts focus to God’s judgment on the king’s enemies. God's power will uncover and defeat those who oppose Him. The description of consuming fire portrays the intensity of divine wrath against evil. The psalmist emphasizes that the wicked, including their descendants, will face total ruin. Although the enemies plot against God, their plans will fail. Their defeat is inevitable, and God's swift response, symbolized by arrows ready to strike, ensures that their schemes will come to nothing.
Psalm 21:13 (NKJV)
13 Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power.
The psalm concludes with an exclamation of praise, recognizing God’s strength and power. The people respond to God's victories with worship, acknowledging that His might alone is worthy of exaltation. The final note of the psalm invites collective celebration and continued trust in God's ability to deliver and protect.