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Psalms Chapter 21

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 13 Verses

What is Psalms 21 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1The king shall joy in thy strength, O Jehovah; And in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
2Thou hast given him his heart`s desire, And hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah
3For thou meetest him with the blessings of goodness: Thou settest a crown of fine gold on his head.
4He asked life of thee, thou gavest it him, Even length of days for ever and ever.
5His glory is great in thy salvation: Honor and majesty dost thou lay upon him.
6For thou makest him most blessed for ever: Thou makest him glad with joy in thy presence.
7For the king trusteth in Jehovah; And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he shall not be moved.
8Thy hand will find out all thine enemies; Thy right hand will find out those that hate thee.
9Thou wilt make them as a fiery furnace in the time of thine anger: Jehovah will swallow them up in his wrath, And the fire shall devour them.
10Their fruit wilt thou destroy from the earth, And their seed from among the children of men.
11For they intended evil against thee; They conceived a device which they are not able to perform.
12For thou wilt make them turn their back; Thou wilt make ready with thy bowstrings against their face.
13Be thou exalted, O Jehovah, in thy strength: So will we sing and praise thy power. Psalm 22 For the Chief Musician; set to Aijaleth hash-Shahar. A Psalm of David.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord, etc.] Either in that strength which is in Jehovah himself, in whom is everlasting strength; and which is seen in the works of creation and providence, and is the same in Christ himself, as he is the mighty God; or else in the strength which Jehovah communicated to Christ as man, whereby he was strengthened in his human nature to go through and complete the work of man’s redemption; or in the strength which the Lord puts forth, and the power which he exerts towards and upon his people, in conversion; which is the produce of the exceeding greatness of his power; and in…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“The pious are led by the Psalmist to celebrate God's favor to the king in the already conferred and in prospective victories. The doxology added may relate to both Psalms; the preceding of petition, chiefly this of thanksgiving, ascribing honor to God for His display of grace and power to His Church in all ages, not only under David, but also under his last greatest successor, "the King of the Jews." (Psa 21:1-13) thy strength . . . thy salvation--as supplied by Thee.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 3
“Prevent - Crowning him with manifold blessings, both more and sooner than he expected. With - With excellent blessings. Psalms 21:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 21 God’s people thank him for giving victory to the king.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“The king: Psa 2:6, Psa 20:6, Psa 20:9, Psa 63:11, Psa 72:1, Psa 72:2; Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7; Mat 2:2 joy: Psa 28:7, Psa 62:7, Psa 95:1, Psa 99:4 in thy: Psa 20:5, Psa 71:17-24, Psa 118:14, Psa 118:15; Heb 12:2 Psalms 21:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“(Heb.: 21:2-3) The Psalm begins with thanksgiving for the bodily and spiritual blessings which Jahve has bestowed and still continues to bestow upon the king, in answer to his prayer. This occupies the three opening tetrastichs, of which these verses form the first. עז (whence עזּך, as in Psa 74:13, together with עזּך, Psa 63:3, and frequently) is the power that has been made manifest in the king, which has turned away his affliction; ישׁוּעה is the help from above which has freed him out of his distress. The יגיל, which follows the מה of the exclamation, is naturally shortened by the Kerמ into יגל (with the…”
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