Bible Commentaries
Psalms 21

Verses 1-13

Psalms 21

PSALM OF GRATITUDE

Verses 1-13:

Praise for Triumph Given

As the 20th Psalm prayed for deliverance "in the day of trouble," and found it, so this 21st Psalm forms a dual partnership to thank and praise God for the triumph granted. The battle was fought, the victory was won, and this song of gratitude burst forth. Gratitude is a fruit of the spirit; or a Divine virtue that every believer should cultivate. David and Israel anticipated every victory promised them by the faithful Jehovah God, as redeemer and yet coming king; For God had promised that David’s house and throne should be forever, fulfilled in the Son of David.

Verse 1 declares that the king (David) would joy in the strength of the Lord and joy in his salvation, the salvation that should come through the Messiah, to triumph over all His enemies, as He had caused David to do over his. Through His promises all His children may also have joyful triumph over their foes as they "put on" the whole armor of God and stand in faith, prayer, and supplication to Him today, Ephesians 6:10-24. He causes us to "triumph in Christ," 2 Corinthians 2:14.

Verse 2 states that the Lord had granted David his heart’s desire and had not held back from giving him what his lips had requested. Note, true prayer from the lips must originate from an earnest, honest heart, John 11:42. "Selah" means pause, meditate, and digest this for spiritual nourishment, 2 Samuel 7:16; 2 Samuel 7:24-29.

Verse 3 asserts that the Lord continually surprised him (David) with blessings of goodness, and set a perpetual, continuing crown of pure gold (royal reigning) upon his head, even through the Messiah to come through the tribe of Judah and family of David, Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 7:18-19; Micah 5:2; Luke 1:31-33; Luke 2:4.

Verse 4 adds that he (David) asked life of the Lord and the Lord gave it to him, more, longer than he asked, even for ever and ever, in salvation, in perpetuity of his family and royal seed through the sure coming Messiah-Redeemer, Jesus Christ, 2 Samuel 7:13; 2 Samuel 7:16; 2 Samuel 7:19; Psalms 61:5-6; Psalms 89:4.

Verses 5, 6 disclose that the glory of the Lord exists in the great salvation that He wrought, to be exalted and enshrouded with glory, honor, and royal majesty through His triumphant death, burial, and resurrection for the redemption of the whole world, as expressed Hebrews 2:9-15.
Verse 6 adds that God had made the king, David and his seed "most blessed" for ever, and exceeding glad, by the favour of His countenance of grace, as expressed Genesis 12:2; Psalms 72:17; Psalms 72:19; Luke 2:10-11; Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:14; Galatians 3:19.

Verse 7 confides that the king (David) was continually trusting in the Lord, asserting that through the continuing mercy of the most High, the exalted, living God, he would not be moved or turned aside from faith in and obedience to Him, Psalms 12:2; Psalms 91:2.

Verses 8, 9 declare that the right hand (strong hand) of the most High God would find out, fall upon all His enemies, those who hated Him. It is explained that this will be, done in the time of His judgment anger that would come upon His enemies like an heated, explosive fiery oven flame, to swallow up or devour them, at the day of His great wrath, Deuteronomy 32:22; Malachi 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.

Verses 10-12 add that the seed or fruit of David and of all God’s enemies would be destroyed or removed from among men. Such was to come because they imagined and purposed, with premeditation to do evil against David, Israel, and Almighty God; Even such evil as they could not perform against a covenant people, and anointed king of God; David asserted that because of this deceitfulness God’s arrow would cause them to turn and flee in defeat, Jeremiah 17:9; Psalms 11:2; Psalms 18:40; Job 7:20; Job 16:12; La 3:12.

Verse 13 returns to a note of gratitude in triumphant praise, exalting the Lord for His own strength that became available to all who cry for Him in sincerity and truth. David vows that he and all Israel, all the covenant people, will sing and extol God’s mighty power, Psalms 18:46; Revelation 11:16-17; Revelation 15:3-4; Revelation 16:5-7.