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Psalm 21

Psalm 21 credits YHWH with the king’s life and honor, then declares confidence that evil plans cannot prevail.

A king has received the help he asked from YHWH, and the psalm celebrates his answered prayer. The title attributes the song to David, though no particular battle or occasion is named. Addressing God, the opening verses recount gifts of life, royal honor, and joy in his presence. The song then declares that hostile plots will fail and enemies will face destruction. It closes with praise for YHWH’s strength.

answered prayerpraise and worshipinjustice and anger
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1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The king rejoices in your strength, LORD! How greatly he rejoices in your salvation!
2You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
3For you meet him with the blessings of goodness. You set a crown of fine gold on his head.
4He asked life of you and you gave it to him, even length of days forever and ever.
5His glory is great in your salvation. You lay honor and majesty on him.
6For you make him most blessed forever. You make him glad with joy in your presence.
7For the king trusts in the LORD. Through the loving kindness of the Most High, he shall not be moved.
8Your hand will find out all of your enemies. Your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9You will make them as a fiery furnace in the time of your anger. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath. The fire shall devour them.
10You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from among the children of men.
11For they intended evil against you. They plotted evil against you which cannot succeed.
12For you will make them turn their back, when you aim drawn bows at their face.
13Be exalted, LORD, in your strength, so we will sing and praise your power.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected. Tap a number for its page.
Key verses
Psalm 21:1The opening locates the king’s joy in YHWH’s strength and salvation, establishing the source of every royal blessing that follows.
Psalm 21:11The enemies’ intended evil explains the judgment announced against them, while their failed plots expose the limits of their power.
Psalm 21:13The closing prayer returns attention to YHWH, whose strength calls forth the people’s song and praise.
Where this chapter reaches

Proverbs shares the theme that human schemes cannot prevail against YHWH, matching this psalm’s confidence that hostile plans will fail. Revelation shares its imagery of royal glory and fiery judgment, with God’s rule bringing the defeat of those who oppose him.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

Which gift to the king draws your attention, and what makes it stand out?

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How does the psalm’s account of fierce judgment shape your reading of its closing praise?

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Questions people ask about Psalm 21

What does Psalm 21:4 mean by life forever and ever?

The verse describes God’s answer to the king’s request for life in language that reaches beyond an ordinary lifespan. In its royal setting, this can express enduring blessing for the king and his royal line. Christian readers also understand its fullest fulfillment in Christ’s unending life and kingship.

Why does Psalm 21 speak about destroying enemies and their descendants?

Verses 8–12 portray the complete defeat of enemies whose evil plans oppose the king and YHWH. The destruction of descendants extends that judgment to their family line. This is severe royal warfare language. The psalm celebrates divine judgment; it gives readers no command to carry out violence against personal enemies.

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What the Bible says about worship →What the Bible says about anger →

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).