Psalm Twenty-One: A Psalm of Praise

Psalm 21

The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.

    How great is his joy in the victories you give!

You have granted him his heart’s desire

    and have not withheld the request of his lips.

 

You came to greet him with rich blessings

    and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.

He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—

    length of days, for ever and ever.

 

Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;

    you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.

 

Surely you have granted him unending blessings

    and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

 

For the king trusts in the Lord;

    through the unfailing love of the Most High

    he will not be shaken.

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies;

    your right hand will seize your foes.

 

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.

 

You will destroy their descendants from the earth,

    their posterity from mankind.

 

Though they plot evil against you

    and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.

 

You will make them turn their backs

    when you aim at them with drawn bow.

Be exalted in your strength, Lord;

    we will sing and praise your might.

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This is a Psalm of victory. My study Bible says that we don't know exactly what David gained victory over when he wrote this Psalm, but one thing stands out to me. When I am victorious over something, this is usually my response: "Yeah! I did it! I made it! I am a champion of all champions!!!"

But look at how David responds in victory here in this Psalm. He responds with praise! Not once does David say "I". Instead, he directs all the praise and glory to the Lord. He knows that it is the Lord who makes him victorious!

What stood out to you in this Psalm?

What has God given you victory over recently? (Maybe, write him a Psalm of praise!)