Psalms 21
Psalm 21 can be divided into two main parts. Verses 1 through 7 express gratitude and praise for the king’s victory and blessings, while verses 8 through 13 continue with God’s judgment on the enemy and the praise that results from it. The psalmist makes the king (either David or the king of Israel) the main figure, and attributes to God the victory, honor, and the source of those blessings that are gained through God’s help. In the latter part, the psalm sings that this victory leads to God’s righteousness and judgment, emphasizing that in the end everything is accomplished within God’s presence and glory.
1verseFor the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The king rejoices in your strength, LORD! How greatly he rejoices in your salvation!
2verseYou have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
3verseFor you meet him with the blessings of goodness. You set a crown of fine gold on his head.
4verseHe asked life of you and you gave it to him, even length of days forever and ever.
5verseHis glory is great in your salvation. You lay honor and majesty on him.
6verseFor you make him most blessed forever. You make him glad with joy in your presence.
7verseFor the king trusts in the LORD. Through the loving kindness of the Most High, he shall not be moved.
8verseYour hand will find out all of your enemies. Your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9verseYou 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.
10verseYou will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from among the children of men.
11verseFor they intended evil against you. They plotted evil against you which cannot succeed.
12verseFor you will make them turn their back, when you aim drawn bows at their face.
13verseBe exalted, LORD, in your strength, so we will sing and praise your power.
Summary of the Main Content
- God’s response: God hears the king’s request, granting victory and honor greater than his desires, as expressed in verses 1–6.
- Lasting grace: Verse 7 mentions that the king will live without ever being shaken, within a relationship with God.
- Judgment on the enemy: Verses 8–12 emphasize that under God’s righteousness, the enemy is judged and put to flight.
- Final praise: In verse 13, he gives strength and glory to God and confesses that God is the source of all glory.
Meditation Points
- The psalmist clearly states that the victory of Israel’s king is proof that God is with him. We can also reflect that our victories and achievements in life are blessings granted by God.
- We can look with eyes of faith, believing that God knows our needs and desires and gives generously, more abundantly than what we ask.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Let us not forget that the joy, success, and reasons for gratitude in the life I enjoy ultimately come from God first, and let us strive to give glory humbly.
- Even when we meet difficulties and adversaries, let us ask for the faith to trust in God’s righteousness and help, and to walk forward boldly.
