Reflections on Psalms 21

 Psalms 21(Contemporary English Version)

1. (A psalm by David for the music leader.) Our LORD, your mighty power makes the king glad, and he celebrates victories that you have given him.
   
2. You did what he wanted most and never told him "No."
   
3. You truly blessed the king, and you placed on him a crown of finest gold.
   
4. He asked to live a long time, and you promised him life that never ends.
   
5. The king is highly honored. You have let him win victories that have made him famous.
   
6. You have given him blessings that will last forever, and you have made him glad by being so near to him.
   
7. LORD Most High, the king trusts you, and your kindness keeps him from defeat.
   
8. With your mighty arm, LORD, you will strike down all of your hateful enemies.
   
9. They will be destroyed by fire once you are here, and because of your anger, flames will swallow them.
   
10. You will wipe their families from the earth, and they will disappear.
    
11. All their plans to harm you will come to nothing.
    
12. You will make them run away by shooting your arrows at their faces.
    
13. Show your strength, LORD, so that we may sing and praise your power.

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This psalm may well be a follow up to the previous psalm. In Psalm 20 the people took their petition to the Lord asking that He give the king victory in battle over his enemies. They anticipated that they would soon shout for joy at the victory the Lord gave the king. Psalm 21 may be their expression of joy to the Lord for the victory He gave in response to their petition in Psalm 20.

As in Psalm 20, the people were voicing this psalm on behalf of king David. They gave full credit to the Lord for the victory the king had over his enemies, but because of the victory the Lord gave the king was also given glory, as verses 5 and 6 state, "His glory is great through Your victory; You confer majesty and splendor on him. You give him blessings forever; You cheer him with joy in Your presence."

Because of the victory the Lord gave, the people looked with confidence to future successes. They spoke of the king's hand capturing his enemies and destroying them, ending their hopes of any posterity. But it was the Lord who was behind the king's ability to destroy his enemies. For though it was the king's hand carrying out this judgment, in reality it was the Lord engulfing them "in His wrath." (21:9)

In conclusion they raised their voices in praise to the Lord, "Be exalted, LORD, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your might." (21:13)