Psalm 21 A Prayer Celebrating God's Power And Answered Prayer

Psalm 21:1-2  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. 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.  

Another Psalm written by King David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel, who was guided by the Spirit of God to compose psalms that have blessed generations of God's redeemed children.

This psalm finds David speaking of himself in the third person, and it also seems connected to the people and the king's prayer in Psalm 20.

As it begins, it is clear that David is filled with great joy because God answered the prayers of the king and His people.

David makes it very clear that any victory or any good thing that he was able to accomplish, was because the LORD worked on his behalf.

As we read David's psalms, we continue to see the genuine humility of this mighty king of Israel.

He knew he was weak, and could do nothing in his own strength, and that he would be crushed by his enemies if God did not help him.

David's heart is very much like the apostle Paul who said "When I am weak then I am strong" through Christ (See 2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

Both Psalm 20 and 21 are beautiful examples of intercessory prayer, when God's people put the needs of others before their own needs while praying.

Intercessory prayer is a wonderful privilege that all Christians can be involved with.

We are told to pray without ceasing (See 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

We are told to pray in the Spirit (See Ephesians 6:18).

We are told to pray knowing the the Spirit of God is helping us as we pray (See Romans 8:26).

We are told to pray with faith (See Matthew 21:22).

We are told to pray in accord with God's revealed will (See 1 John 5:14).

We are told to pray continuously and be watching for the needs and cares of others whom we may lift up to the LORD in prayer.

We are told to pray for strength to resist sin (See Matthew 26:41).

We are to pray with thanksgiving and to lay our burdens, cares and concerns upon Christ (See Philippians 4:6).

We are told to begin prayer by confessing our sins, and then to pray for the needs of other believers.

The apostle James reminds us to remember that God hears our fervent, effective prayers when our whole heart is engaged ( See James 5:16).

Thus, King David rejoiced because God heard his prayer and the intercessory prayers of those whom he governed. 

David gave all glory for his success to the LORD and for His mighty salvation.

Therefore David could praise the LORD because He granted the king his petitions and carried out his requests.

Psalm 21:3  For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. 

The word "prevent" is an interesting word. In today's English, to prevent something means to stop it or to hinder it.

However, when the Bible was translated, this word meant to lead, to be in front, or to go on before.

Thus, it is the LORD who went before King David and his army, setting up blessings in front of the king.

All our blessings we receive are blessings from the goodness and love of God for His children.

They are not earned by any merit on our part, but are freely given to us because God is good.

David recognizes that these blessings were put in place before he went out to face his enemies and this filled his heart with love and joy for God.

God's blessings come sooner and proved richer than David imagined. 

They were given before he prayed for them, before he was ready for them and this is why David said God's blessings went out before him.

God had advanced David to the highest honour and the prevailing power which is signified by the words “Thou hast set a crown of pure gold upon his head." 

David's enemies no doubt, wanted to defeat him and remove his crown and take over Israel, but God put the crown on his head.

Crowns are at God's disposal and no head wears one unless God sets it there.

Psalm 21:4  He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. 

2 Samuel 7:12-13  And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 

David prayed for his life to be delivered as he went out to war and God answered by giving the king victory.

When God made His covenant with David, it included a promise of eternal life and the king seems to reference God's gracious promise in this text.

God specifically promised David that he would rest with his fathers, those notable men of faith we read about in the Old Testament.

In addition, God promised to set up a king from the seed or line of David that would be an eternal kingdom and this is fulfilled with the birth of Christ, and will become reality when Jesus returns to rule and reign. 

Psalm 21:5-7  His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. 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. 

This text again includes King David but it also foreshadows Jesus Christ, the Son of God and His eternal kingdom.

David could say that God's glory was on full display when He defeated the king's enemies.

Honor and majesty are to be giving to God alone and it is true that the Father has given all honor, majesty and glory to His Son, for His redeeming work on the cross to save mankind from sin (See Philippians 2:5-11).

David was most blessed forever, and his heart was filled with joy and gladness because the countenance of God shined upon him.

Through all of his troubles and trials, David learned to trust the LORD always and to run to Him for refuge, for safety and for mighty help.

No matter what hardship or trouble came his way, David's heart was firmly fixed upon the LORD and he refused to doubt or waver in his faith.

David knew that God's love, mercy and grace would carry him through this life and prepare him for eternity in heaven.

Hebrews 1:8-9  But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 

The Father calls His son "O God" and declares that His throne is an eternal one that will be governed by the perfect righteousness and holiness of God.

The Father anointed His Son with the oil of gladness more than any other. 

Oil is often used as a symbol of the Spirit of God.

We learned that God gave His Sprit to David for the duration of his life and we know that God gave the Spirit without measure to Christ when He walked on earth and ministered to all (See John 3:34). 

This also connects with Jesus enduring all His sufferings for the joy of saving sinners who repent and trust Him for salvation (See Hebrews 12:2).

Psalm 21:8-12  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. 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.

This Psalm contains a clear warning that God is holy and righteous, and He will bring all sinners to account for their sins.

He will judge them and sentence all the wicked and Christ rejecters to eternity in Hell.

Notice the strong terms in this text. 

God's anger and wrath for people's sins is spoken of.

Hell is mentioned as a fiery oven and a judgment fire from God to consume the wicked in a moment.

God will unleash the arrows of His judgment upon them and the wicked will perish in their sins.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 

David's Spirit inspired words connect with what Paul wrote about the return of Christ as King and Judge.

He will come with His mighty angels.

He will come with flaming fire to take vengeance upon all who do not know God and upon all who refuse to obey the gospel of Christ. 

All of these things connect with numerous prophecies about the future Day of the LORD judgment that is yet to come.

Psalm 21:13  Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. 

God is all in all, and His glory is the chief concern in the mind of King David.

Therefore, in every aspect of life he wants the LORD to be lifted up high, to have His glory and strength and power put on display, so that sinners are converted to Christ and so that the children of God everywhere, will sing and praise the LORD with their whole hearts. 

May we find encouragement to walk more closely with the LORD. 

May we find strength to be His faithful witnesses.

May we find joy and worship the LORD with all our heart.

Bob