Psalms 21

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 [a]The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How great is his joy in the victories you give!
2 You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.[b]
3 You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— length of days, for ever and ever.
5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.
8 Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes.
9 When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them.
10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind.
11 Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.
12 You will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow.
13 Be exalted in your strength, LORD; we will sing and praise your might.

Cross References 22

  • 1. S 1 Samuel 2:10
  • 2. S 2 Samuel 22:51; Psalms 59:16-17
  • 3. S Psalms 20:4; Psalms 37:4
  • 4. S 2 Samuel 12:30; Revelation 14:14
  • 5. Zechariah 6:11
  • 6. Psalms 10:16; Psalms 45:17; Psalms 48:14; Psalms 61:5-6; Psalms 91:16; Psalms 133:3
  • 7. ver 1; Psalms 18:50; Psalms 44:4
  • 8. S Psalms 8:5; Psalms 45:3; Psalms 93:1; Psalms 96:6; Psalms 104:1
  • 9. Psalms 43:4; Psalms 126:3
  • 10. S 1 Chronicles 17:27
  • 11. S 2 Kings 18:5
  • 12. Psalms 6:4
  • 13. Genesis 14:18
  • 14. S Psalms 15:5; S Psalms 55:22
  • 15. Isaiah 10:10
  • 16. S Deuteronomy 32:22; Psalms 50:3; Jeremiah 15:14; Lamentations 2:2; Malachi 4:1
  • 17. Deuteronomy 28:18; Psalms 37:28
  • 18. Psalms 2:1
  • 19. Job 10:3; Psalms 10:2; Psalms 26:10; Psalms 37:7
  • 20. S Exodus 23:27; Psalms 7:12-13; Psalms 18:40
  • 21. S Psalms 18:46
  • 22. Psalms 18:1

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. In Hebrew texts 21:1-13 is numbered 21:2-14.
  • [b]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

Psalms 21 Commentaries

Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.