1 The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
3 For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
5 His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.
6 For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.
7 For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
10 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
11 For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
12 Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.
13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
The Book of Psalms, also known as the Psalter, is a book in the Holy Bible filled with songs and prayers that express the heart and soul of humanity. In its depths, it expresses a varying range of human emotions from praises, to thanksgiving, to lament, to cries for help in times of trouble. Psalm 21, a part of this beautiful collection, is a psalm of thanksgiving for victory. It is attributed to King David, who was a shepherd boy turned king, a man after God’s own heart. The Psalm 21 is a royal psalm, written to celebrate the military victories of the king, whom the psalmist sees as God's representative on earth. The king's victories are seen as God's victories, bringing glory not just to the king but to God Himself.
Psalm 21, like many other psalms, is a reflection on the nature of God's relationship with His chosen people and His appointed leaders. The psalm begins by expressing joy in God's strength and the victory that God grants. Here, the psalmist acknowledges that the king's power and victories are not his own, but are gifts from God. "The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!" (Psalm 21:1). This acknowledgement of God's sovereign power is a common theme throughout the psalms and is a fundamental tenet of biblical faith.
The first half of the psalm (verses 1-6) is full of joy and gratitude. The king rejoices in the strength of God and takes great delight in the victories that God grants him. This joy is not just because of the victory itself, but more importantly, because it is a clear sign of God's favor and blessing. The king recognizes that his heart's desires and requests have been granted by God. "Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah." (Psalm 21:2). This expression of gratitude for answered prayers is a common theme in the psalms, and it serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises.
The next verses (3-6) enumerate the blessings that God has bestowed upon the king. These include life, splendor, majesty, eternal blessings, and joy in God's presence. The king trusts in God, and through God's love, he remains unshaken. "For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance." (Psalm 21:6). This trust in God's steadfast love, even in times of trials and tribulations, is a recurring theme in the psalms. It underscores the belief that God is a refuge and a source of strength for those who trust in Him.
The second half of the psalm (verses 7-13) shifts focus from the blessings received by the king to the assurance of future victories through God's power. The psalmist declares that the king will be victorious over his enemies because of his trust in God. "For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved." (Psalm 21:7). The psalmist then describes in vivid terms the fate of the king's enemies. They will be destroyed by God's wrath, consumed by fire, and their offspring will be cut off from the earth. "Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men." (Psalm 21:10). This portrayal of God as a warrior who fights on behalf of His people is a common theme in the psalms.
While Psalm 21 was written in a specific historical context, its message is timeless and universal. It reminds us of the importance of acknowledging God as the source of all our victories and blessings. The psalm encourages us to trust in God's strength and to rejoice in His salvation. It assures us that God is on our side, fighting our battles for us. The psalm also challenges us to remain faithful to God, especially in times of trials and tribulations. It reassures us that those who trust in God will not be shaken, and they will ultimately triumph over their enemies.
In conclusion, Psalm 21 is a powerful hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God for His blessings and victories. It is a psalm that celebrates God's sovereign power and unfailing love. It is a psalm that reassures us of God's faithfulness to His promises. It is a psalm that encourages us to trust in God and to rejoice in His salvation. Psalm 21, like all the psalms, is a beautiful expression of faith and devotion, a song of praise that lifts our spirits and strengthens our faith.
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