Psalm 21: Victory of the King

​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. 
 
 
Meditation
The King’s victory is strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Today, we rejoice in the spoils of our King’s victory by trusting His strength and celebrating His blessings. Though enemies of the king still compete for His authority, hope is fueled knowing Christ’s accomplished victory will one day be fully applied, His enemies destroyed forever.
 
Today’s Psalm celebrates the King’s victory. David, the king of Israel, rejoices in the strength and salvation God gave for victory (1). Together with God’s people, we Rejoice- the Lord is King!
 
David worships the Lord for His blessings, the spoils of God’s victory (2-6). With joy and gladness, the song of victory celebrates the blessings of God hearing prayer, granting life, establishing authority for dominion, showing His glory, and sharing His presence.
 
The center of this Psalm is an aside, breaking the fourth wall to articulate the invitation to join David in trusting the Lord as king. Only through trusting God’s steadfast love we will be secure- not to be moved (7). Hope is fueled through celebration of the removal of the wicked, knowing the enemies of God who will be comprehensively destroyed (8-12).
 
The Psalm is framed in exalting the Lord for strength shared with those who surrender to Him (1, 13)- God is mighty to save! Jesus is the true King, giving victory to His people and strengthening all whose trust is in Him. Jesus defeated the final enemy, death, and He will rule until all enemies will be put under His feet (1 Corinthians 15). Rejoice, Jesus is king!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially in regards to the present strength and future hope that comes through the King’s victory?
 
-Where do you struggle to both see the king’s victory and sing of the king’s victory?
 
-How does the finished victory of King Jesus fuel both your faith and hope? Be specific in where you need to see this more in your life.
 
Key Verse
7    For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.