PSALM 21*
Thanksgiving and Assurances for the King
1For the leader. A psalm of David.
I
2LORD, the king finds joy in your power;a
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!
3You have granted him his heart’s desire;
you did not refuse the request of his lips.
Selah
4For you welcomed him with goodly blessings;
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
5He asked life of you;
you gave it to him,
length of days forever.b
6Great is his glory in your victory;
majesty and splendor you confer upon him.
7You make him the pattern of blessings forever,
you gladden him with the joy of your face.
8For the king trusts in the LORD,
stands firm through the mercy of the Most High.
II
9Your hand will find all your enemies;
your right hand will find your foes!
10At the time of your coming
you will make them a fiery furnace.
Then the LORD in his anger will consume them,
devour them with fire.
11Even their descendants you will wipe out from the earth,
their offspring from the human race.
12Though they intend evil against you,
devising plots, they will not succeed,
13For you will put them to flight;
you will aim at their faces with your bow.
III
14Arise, LORD, in your power!c
We will sing and chant the praise of your might.
* [Psalm 21] The first part of this royal Psalm is a thanksgiving (Ps 21:2–8), and the second is a promise that the king will triumph over his enemies (Ps 21:9–13). The king’s confident prayer (Ps 21:3–5) and trust in God (Ps 21:8) enable him to receive the divine gifts of vitality, peace, and military success. Ps 21:14 reprises Ps 21:2. When kings ceased in Israel after the sixth century B.C., the Psalm was sung of a future Davidic king.
b. [21:5] 1 Kgs 3:14.
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