Psalm 21 (Listen)
21:1 O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices,
and in your salvation how greatly he exults!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
3 For you meet him with rich blessings;
you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
4 He asked life of you; you gave it to him,
length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great through your salvation;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6 For you make him most blessed forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.
8 Your hand will find out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9 You will make them as a blazing oven
when you appear.
The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath,
and fire will consume them.
10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth,
and their offspring from among the children of man.
11 Though they plan evil against you,
though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
12 For you will put them to flight;
you will aim at their faces with your bows.
13 Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.
Devotional:
Lord, the king finds joy in your strength. How greatly he rejoices in your victory! (Psalm 21:1 CSB)
In Psalm 21, King David gives thanks for the many blessings he experienced while he served as Israel’s king — at the top of the list are the Lord’s strength and salvation. David depended on God’s strength to lead God’s people, and that helped him lead the nation of Israel to defeat their enemies. It was God’s salvation that gave David and the people of Israel hope and assurance that they were His people. We still depend on God’s strength in daily life, and the salvation which God gives us through Jesus Christ means forgiveness and new spiritual life for believers today and forever. Today is a good day for us to remember and give thanks for these blessings from God.
Pray it: Father, help me to remember that the victories and blessings I have in this life come from you. May the joy I find in these things be ways to honor, glorify, and exalt you for your goodness and power. Amen.
Share it: Share a verse or thought from this passage with someone today.