Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Psalms Chapter 21 mean?

Psalm 21 pairs with Psalm 20, which seems to come before David entered a battle. This song celebrates victory and expresses confidence in future success.

This praise of God begins by expressing the king’s victory and his appreciation for God’s favor. Verse 4 makes a reference to “length of days forever and ever,” which seems to be a reference to the Messiah. In 2 Samuel 7:11–16, the Lord promises to establish David’s descendant(s) on the throne for all time. It was these guarantees from God, and the success he obtained, that made David and his people confident in God’s goodness and faithfulness (Psalm 21:1–7).

The second half of the psalm anticipates future victories for king David. These are credited to God, as the one who “swallows up” enemies of His chosen people. As part of this celebration, Scripture reminds us that following in the sinful footsteps of our ancestors is no excuse. Those who continue the sins of their parents can expect to face God’s judgment. This passage also uses a vivid illustration of how David’s enemies will flee him. They will respond as drastically as would someone having a drawn bow pointed directly into their face. This is the depth of faith the people express in God’s power and plans (Psalm 21:8–13).

Chapter Context
This psalm is likely a follow-up to Psalm 20. In Psalm 20 the congregation of Israel and David prayed for victory in an upcoming battle. Psalm 21 offers thanks for the victory and expresses David’s joy over the strength from the Lord that secured the victory. David also anticipates victory in future encounters. Second Samuel 7:4–16 contains the covenant God made with David.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices,and in your salvation how greatly he exults!

This may contain David’s words spoken in the third person, or the statement of the assembled people. In either case, they express David’s joy over the Lord’s power on his behalf. He rejoices in the Lord’s deliverance of him from his enemies. In the previous psalm he had prayed to be delivered, and now he thanks the Lord for answering his prayer.

Believers ought to pray and then thank the Lord for answering their prayers. David credits the Lord’s strength for the deliverance and rejoices because of the Lord’s strength. We, too, can rejoice in the Lord’s strength that delivers us in our time of need. Jesus said we will have joy if we keep His commandments (John 15:10–11). If we obey our Lord and place our confidence in His strength and not in our own strength, we can be strong. Paul attributed his victories to the Lord’s strength. He wrote: “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Context Summary
Psalm 21:1–7, much like the first part of Psalm 20, records the praise David and the congregation offer to the Lord for granting David victory over his enemy. This section precedes the congregation’s confidence in what the Lord will do through David. Second Samuel 7:1–17 provides a background to these verses by reporting the covenant God made with David. Part of the covenant was an assurance that God would subdue David’s enemies.

Verse 2. You have given him his heart ‘s desireand have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

In Psalm 20:4 the congregation prayed for the Lord to grant David his heart’s desire. His heart’s desire was victory over his enemy in an upcoming battle. Now, the congregation thanks the Lord for giving David his heart’s desire. He had gained the victory over the enemy.

When the heart’s desire aligns with the Lord’s will, the Lord answers prayer and causes the heart to rejoice. We know from 2 Samuel chapter 7 that the Lord had plans for David. He promised to give David rest from all his enemies (2 Samuel 7:11) and to give him an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:16). If we pray for things that cater to sinful desires, the Lord will not hear us, but if we trust in the Lord and delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:3–4). Jesus instructed us to ask of the Father in His name (John 16:23). He promised, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).

The term transliterated into English as “selah” is extraordinarily difficult to translate. Scholars think it might be related to terms implying a rest, or to praise, or even to a musical interlude. The word appears often in the Psalms, but is also used three times by the prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:3, 9, 13). Most likely, it’s something inserted in the same style as modern writers might include an “amen!” or “hallelujah!” in between lines of a song or poem.

Verse 3. For you meet him with rich blessings;you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.

In this verse the congregation celebrates the blessings God has given their king, David. Not only did the Lord meet David with rich blessings but He also placed “a crown of fine gold” on his head. The reference to a crown likely means his victory in answer to prayer seemed like a second coronation. Although believers do not wear a visible crown, we are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and we will receive the crown of righteousness when Jesus returns if we have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8) – if we are among those who will rejoice when He returns.

When Abram defeated the five kings who took hostages from Sodom, Melchizidek, priest of the Most High God, met him and blessed him. Later, the king of Sodom offered Abram a reward, but Abram refused. He said he had made an oath to the Lord, the possessor of heaven and earth, that he would not take anything from the king of Sodom so that the king could not say he had made Abram rich (Genesis 14:17–24). Before Joshua and his army won the battle of Jericho, the Lord met him (Joshua 5:13–15). Believers may rejoice in knowing that the Lord goes before us into battle (Matthew 28:19–20; John 10:4; 1 John 4:3–4).

Verse 4. He asked life of you; you gave it to him,length of days forever and ever.

David aged and died like any other mortal man. He lived 70 years (2 Samuel 5:4), so how do we interpret the comment here that God gave him “length of days forever and ever?” In 2 Samuel 7 we read the covenant the Lord made with David. He said, “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you…and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12–13) God also promised David: “Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16).

The Lord promised David an endless dynasty, and when Jesus, the Son of David, Israel’s Messiah, returns to earth He will reign forever from the throne of David (Luke 1:30–33).

Verse 5. His glory is great through your salvation;splendor and majesty you bestow on him.

David rejoices in the glory the Lord bestowed on him through victories over his enemies. David does not take credit for this honor. Rather, the glory of the king is great through the Lord’s salvation. In fulfillment of the promise in the covenant He made with David, the Lord gave David rest from all his enemies (2 Samuel 7:11). David humbly acknowledged that the Lord delivered him from his enemies and bestowed splendor and majesty on him.

Certainly, the Lord Jesus, the Son of David, was delivered from death by the power of God the Father. Ephesians 1:20 affirms that God the Father (along with the rest of the Trinity) raised Jesus from the dead. The following verses in Ephesians describe the glory, splendor, and majesty that the Father bestowed on Jesus when He delivered Him from death. He seated Jesus at His right hand “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name” (Ephesians 1:20–21). He subjected all things to Him and made Him head of the church (Ephesians 1:22–23). No one else in the universe compares with Jesus, the Son of David, in glory, splendor, and majesty!

Verse 6. For you make him most blessed forever;you make him glad with the joy of your presence.

David credits the Lord with making him most blessed forever. In his covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:4–16) God promised to be with David, make his name great, and build a lasting dynasty for him. He also reminded David that He had been with David wherever he went.

Psalm 21:6 states “You make him glad with the joy of your presence.” An awareness of God’s presence brings great joy to all who trust in Him. Psalm 16:11 affirms: “In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Jesus promised to be present with believers at all times (Matthew 28:18–20), and Hebrews 13:5 counsels us: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you. ‘” Like David, Christians can be glad with the joy of the Lord’s presence.

David’s son Solomon looked for satisfaction in a variety of earthly sources, but found that they were all “vanity,” meaning they were meaningless and empty. He concluded his writing of Ecclesiastes by counseling, in part, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Verse 7. For the king trusts in the Lord,and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

This repeats David’s unshakeable confidence in God; this is a trust founded in God’s own character and faithfulness. None of David’s enemies would shake him from the throne. God favored King David too much for an enemy to topple him. He would continue to complete the mission God had designed for him.

Believers may experience suffering, difficulties, deprivation, and persecution, but nothing can separate them from God’s love revealed in the Lord Jesus. Romans 8:37 asserts that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” The following two verses tell us, “neither death nor life,; nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).

Our circumstances often change, but God’s love for us is changeless.

Verse 8. Your hand will find out all your enemies;your right hand will find out those who hate you.

The congregation expresses confidence in David’s military success. He will find out his enemies and those who hate him. “Find out,” in this context, includes the idea of “disposing of” something. No enemy will be able to withstand David’s power.

The right hand is a term used in Scripture to signify power or strength. There may be a messianic implication here, as well. Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of David, will dispose of all His enemies, those who hate Him. When He returns to earth, singlehandedly He will dispose of those who support the beast and the false prophet. He will overwhelmingly defeat these evil leaders, who dupe millions of people in the tribulation: the seven-year period that follows the rapture.

Jude 1:14–15 promises that Jesus will return “with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” Revelation 19:15–21 pictures the return of Jesus as He strikes down the nations and throws the beast and the false prophet into the lake of fire.

Context Summary
Psalm 21:8–13 contains the people’s address to King David. They express their confidence that he will win future battles because they believe the Lord will swallow up his enemies. This section is similar to the closing section of Psalm 20. Psalm 18:50, 2 Samuel 7:16, and Genesis 12:1–3 guarantee the continuance of the nation of Israel and David’s descendants. Psalm 21 ends with a swelling chorus of praise.

Verse 9. You will make them as a blazing ovenwhen you appear.The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,and fire will consume them.

The assembled people expect David to overcome his enemies as thoroughly as a furnace burns its fuel. The congregation sees this devouring of David’s enemies as an act of the Lord. They state that the Lord will execute His wrath on the enemies and consume them.

Fire is a common biblical metaphor for the judgment of God. Psalm 89:46 describes the Lord’s wrath as burning like fire. Psalm 97:3 says, “Fire goes before [the Lord] and burns up his adversaries all around.” Using similar language, Malachi assures us: “Behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 4:1).

At the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11–15) all unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire. Those who spurn God’s offer of salvation and reject the Savior will perish (John 3:16–18).

Verse 10. You will destroy their descendants from the earth,and their offspring from among the children of man.

By opposing David his enemies destroyed any hope of having a posterity. The Lord will judge the enemies’ descendants that undoubtedly repeat the sins of their fathers. Exodus 20:5 records the Lord’s warning against those who violate His commandment about idolatry. He warns: “You shall not bow down to [idols] or serve [idols], for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me.” However, the Lord promises “steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:6).

Verses such as this don’t suggest that God punishes children for acts committed by their parents. Rather, they mean that imitating the example of prior generations is no excuse. Those who participate in the sins of their parents will be punished for engaging in those sins. Only those who turn away, in repentance, can escape this (Jeremiah 11:10; 25:5).

These verses emphasize the importance of parents modeling faith in the Lord in front of their children. Each generation tends to behave like the preceding generation. Antagonism against the Lord can easily set off a chain reaction that involves several generations and incurs the Lord’s judgment.

Verse 11. Though they plan evil against you,though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.

The assembled people are celebrating God’s favor for David (Psalm 21:8–10). They are confident that those who try to defeat the king will fail.

God knows the intentions of evil men and women as surely as He knows their sinful deeds. In Noah’s day civilization had descended into a quagmire of wicked intentions as well as depraved behavior. The Lord saw this wickedness. Genesis 6:5 reports that “the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The Lord responded to those evil intentions and wicked deeds by sending a devastating flood to destroy the wicked.

Jeremiah 17:9 describes the human heart as “deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” The same verse raises the question, “Who can understand it?” The answer appears immediately afterwards: “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind” (Jeremiah 17:10). No human can read the intentions of another person’s heart, but the Lord can (1 Samuel 16:7). He knew what David’s enemies were planning, and He would cause them to fail.

Verse 12. For you will put them to flight;you will aim at their faces with your bows.

The congregation continues to pray in celebration of their confidence (Psalm 21:8–11). They are entirely convinced that because God favors David, his enemies have no chance of success. Psalm 91:14–15 promises victory for those who trust in the Lord, but especially for the Messiah. These verses state: “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.”

The phrase translated “aim at their faces” enhances the reference to enemies turning to run away. It’s one thing to imagine an enemy turning to run from a conflict. However, the people praying here expect a more immediate, fearful response: the way a person might react to having a drawn bow aimed directly at their face. This evokes the image of someone reacting in reflexive, immediate fear.

The Devil is the believers’ most ferocious enemy. He prowls around like a lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), but we can put him to flight, just as David put his enemies to flight. The way to do this is to “resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Peter 5:9). The “faith” is the body of doctrine given to us in the Bible. The better we know and obey the Bible, the more resistant to the Devil we are!

Verse 13. Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!We will sing and praise your power.

The end of Psalm 21 records the swelling praise of the congregation and of David for victories won by the Lord’s power. They ask the Lord to exalt Himself as they sing and praise His power. David and the congregation did not glory in themselves but in the Lord. When David was just a youth, he used his simple sling and a stone to defeat the giant Goliath—but David not indulge in self-glory. He approached Goliath with confidence in the Lord and said, “I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel…This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand” (1 Samuel 17:45–46).

Christians share a victory over their final enemy, death, but the praise for the victory goes to the Lord and not to us. The apostle Paul wrote: “Death is swallowed up in victory…thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54, 57).

End of Psalm 21

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