Psalm 21 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
- 1 The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
- 2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
- 3 For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
- 4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
- 5 His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.
More Psalms 21 (Old Testament)
- 6 For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.
- 7 For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
- 8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
- 9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
- 10 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
More Psalm 21 (Old Testament)
- 11 For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
- 12 Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.
- 13 Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 21:7
Verse: כִּי שִׂמַּחְתָּה בּוֹ בְחַסְדֶּךָ
Transliteration: Ki simachta bo b’chasdekha
English: “For You make him most blessed with the joy of Your presence.”
Focus Word: חֶסֶד (Chesed)
- Root: ח-ס-ד (Chet-Samech-Dalet)
- Meaning: “Lovingkindness,” “mercy,” “steadfast love.”
- Deeper Insight: Chesed is relational and covenantal. God’s blessing flows from His faithful, enduring love, not human merit.
More On This Psalm: Commentary From Biblical Scholars
| Scholar | Paraphrase of the psalm |
|---|---|
| Alexander Maclaren (University of Manchester, 1826–1910, Expositions of Holy Scripture) | Maclaren notes that the psalm celebrates God’s blessings on the king and His faithfulness in granting victory. |
| George Adam Smith (University of Aberdeen, 1856–1942, The Book of Psalms, Commentary) | The psalm, Smith observes, highlights the joy and strength given by God to those He has chosen. |
| John Kitto (University of London, 1804–1854, Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature) | Kitto emphasizes that the psalm shows gratitude for God’s protection and success in leadership. |
| F.D. Maurice (King’s College London, 1805–1872, Theological Essays) | Maurice interprets the psalm as a recognition of God’s hand in empowering the king and blessing his reign. |
| Charles Hodge (Princeton University, 1797–1878, Commentary on the Psalms) | Hodge points out that the psalm celebrates God’s justice, favor, and the prosperity of the faithful ruler. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| Archibald Alexander – OT Sermons and Notes | Alexander sees this psalm as thanksgiving for victories granted to the king. The king’s joy is grounded in God’s strength, not his own. The blessings of life and glory signify divine approval. |
| Patrick Fairbairn – Prophetic & Poetic Studies (distinct) | Fairbairn interprets the psalm as reflecting the covenant relationship between God and the Davidic king. The royal victories point to God’s faithfulness. The ultimate triumph foreshadows the Messiah’s kingship. |
| John Dick – Systematic & Expository Writings | Dick notes the psalmist’s gratitude for deliverance from enemies. He emphasizes that God’s granting of requests reveals divine generosity. The defeat of foes manifests righteous judgment. |
| William Kelly – Expository Lectures | Kelly reads the psalm as embracing both Davidic and Messianic dimensions. The gifts of life and eternal blessing align with Christ’s exaltation. Judgment on enemies mirrors divine justice. |
| Robert Candlish – OT Sermons | Candlish stresses the psalm’s movement from thanksgiving to contemplation of judgment. The king’s glory is derived from God’s favor. The destruction of enemies manifests the moral order. |
| James Hamilton – Royal Preacher & OT Discourses | Hamilton views the psalm as a royal hymn of gratitude. Triumph over enemies is attributed solely to God’s strength. The final call to exalt the Lord underscores divine kingship. |
| William Lindsay – The Psalms in History and Worship | Lindsay interprets this psalm as a liturgical celebration of divine victory. The joy in God’s strength becomes the central theme. The destruction of enemies is read as an act of moral vindication. |
| John Stoughton – OT Expositions | Stoughton highlights the king’s humble dependence on divine power. God’s blessings elevate the king far above human expectation. The psalm ends with a doxology of praise. |
| William Deane – Victorian Commentary on Psalms | Deane reads the psalm as thanksgiving after a decisive victory. God’s granting of “length of days” suggests covenant fulfillment. The fall of God’s enemies assures future peace. |
| Edward Harold Browne – Bishop’s Notes on the Old Testament | Browne sees the psalm as celebrating the inseparable union of divine power and royal success. The king’s blessings flow from divine generosity. Victory over foes points to final divine judgment. |
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