Psalms 21

Chapter Summary

The psalm begins with the king's expression of joy and confidence in God's strength, citing his recent victory as evidence of God's faithfulness (Psalms 21:1-2). He then describes the blessings God has given him, including a long and prosperous life, and the defeat of his enemies (Psalms 21:3-7). The king also expresses his desire to glorify God and to be a light to the nations, that they may know and fear God (Psalms 21:8-12). The chapter concludes with a statement of the king's trust in God's power and his confidence in God's ultimate triumph over His enemies (Psalms 21:13). Throughout the psalm, the king emphasizes his dependence on God and his desire to honor Him in all things.

Context for the Chapter

Psalms 21 is part of the second book of the Psalms, which includes Psalms 42-72. This book is often referred to as the "Elohistic Psalter" because it uses the divine name "Elohim" more frequently than the first book. The chapter is likely a royal psalm, written for the king of Israel, and its themes of trust in God's strength and confidence in His salvation are relevant to all believers. The psalm is also closely related to Psalms 20, which is a prayer for the king's victory in battle.

Heart Application

The psalm reminds us of the importance of trusting in God's strength and seeking to honor Him in all aspects of life. We can apply this to our own lives by seeking to glorify God in our thoughts, words, and actions, and by trusting in His power to overcome any challenge or difficulty we may face.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Psalms 21 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise, where the king expresses his joy and confidence in God's strength and salvation. The king trusts in God's power and desires to glorify Him, and the psalm looks forward to God's ultimate triumph over His enemies. For example, in Psalms 21:1, the king says that he rejoices in God's strength, and in Psalms 21:13, he expresses his confidence in God's power to save him.

Voices from the Church

“The king's joy in God's strength is a picture of the believer's joy in Christ, who is our strength and our salvation.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The psalm teaches us that our confidence and trust should be in God's power and strength, rather than in our own abilities or accomplishments.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. The King's Joy in God's Strength (Psalms 21:1-2) — The king expresses his joy and confidence in God's strength and salvation, citing his recent victory as evidence of God's faithfulness.
2. The King's Blessings (Psalms 21:3-7) — The king describes the blessings God has given him, including a long and prosperous life, and the defeat of his enemies.
3. The King's Desire to Glorify God (Psalms 21:8-12) — The king expresses his desire to glorify God and to be a light to the nations, that they may know and fear God.
4. The King's Trust in God's Power (Psalms 21:13) — The king expresses his trust in God's power and his confidence in God's ability to save him and defeat His enemies.
5. Conclusion (Psalms 21:13) — The psalm concludes with a statement of the king's trust in God's power and his confidence in God's ultimate triumph over His enemies.

Core Doctrines

The Sovereignty of God

The psalm teaches us that God is sovereign and all-powerful, and that His strength and salvation are the source of our joy and confidence.

The Importance of Praise

The psalm emphasizes the importance of praising and glorifying God, and of seeking to honor Him in all aspects of life.

The Triumph of God

The psalm describes God's triumph over His enemies, and the king's confidence in God's ability to defeat them.

The Trustworthiness of God

The psalm reminds us that God is trustworthy and faithful, and that we can confidence in His power and promises.

Lessons from Psalms 21

1. Trust in God's Strength — The psalm teaches us to trust in God's strength and power, rather than in our own abilities or accomplishments.
2. Glorify God in All Things — The psalm reminds us to seek to glorify God in all aspects of life, and to honor Him in our thoughts, words, and actions.
3. Confidence in God's Salvation — The psalm gives us confidence in God's salvation and His ability to save and deliver us from our enemies.
4. The Importance of Praise — The psalm emphasizes the importance of praising and glorifying God, and of seeking to honor Him in all aspects of life.
5. The Triumph of God — The psalm reminds us of God's ultimate triumph over His enemies, and of His power to save and deliver us.

Themes from Psalms 21

1. The Sovereignty of God — The psalm teaches us that God is sovereign and all-powerful, and that His strength and salvation are the source of our joy and confidence.
2. The Importance of Praise — The psalm emphasizes the importance of praising and glorifying God, and of seeking to honor Him in all aspects of life.
3. The Triumph of God — The psalm describes God's triumph over His enemies, and the king's confidence in God's ability to defeat them.
4. The Trustworthiness of God — The psalm reminds us that God is trustworthy and faithful, and that we can confidence in His power and promises.
5. The King's Joy in God's Strength — The psalm expresses the king's joy and confidence in God's strength and salvation, and reminds us to seek to glorify God in all aspects of life.

Questions for Meditation

1. What are some ways that you can express your joy and confidence in God's strength and salvation, like the king in Psalms 21?
2. How can you apply the psalm's themes of trust in God's strength and confidence in His salvation to your own life and circumstances?
3. What are some ways that you can glorify God and seek to honor Him in your thoughts, words, and actions, like the king in Psalms 21?
4. How can you trust in God's power and promises, even when faced with challenges and difficulties, like the king in Psalms 21?
5. What are some ways that you can seek to be a light to the nations, and to share the gospel with those around you, like the king in Psalms 21?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Psalms 21

	Sermon	Description
	Bringing the Power of God Into Prayer by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of speaking and the impact it can have on someone's life. He shares a story from the Old Testament about three lepers who made a c
	The Cup of Wrath by Andrew Bonar	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the severity of God's wrath and the consequences of sin. He uses imagery of the seven seals, trumpets, and vials from the book of Revelation
	The King Will Be Exalted in Strength by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher begins by reading from Psalm 21, which speaks of the joy and gladness that comes from being in the presence of the Lord. The passage emphasizes the tru
	Psalm 21 - the King and His Sons by Phil Beach Jr.	Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the prophetic message of Psalm 21, calling believers to unite as co-laborers in God's harvest, glorifying the Lord through their lives. He highlights the
	Exposition on Psalm 22 by St. Augustine	St. Augustine preaches on Psalm 21, reflecting on the words spoken by Jesus Christ Himself during His resurrection. The psalm portrays the suffering and humility of Christ, from be
	The Portion of the Wicked by Jonathan Edwards	Jonathan Edwards preaches about the justice of God in allotting indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish to wicked men, emphasizing that their sinful nature and refusal to repe
	The Preventing Love of the Lord by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson explores the profound meaning of God's 'preventing love' as expressed in Psalms 21:3, emphasizing that God anticipates our needs and blesses us even before we ask.
	Unity & Diversity by J.C. Philpot	J.C. Philpot preaches on the importance of manifested union among believers, as prayed for by Jesus in John 17, emphasizing the visible unity and harmony that should exist among Go
	Psalm 21 by Henry Law	Henry Law preaches on the triumphant exaltation of our King of kings, Jesus Christ, who rejoices in God's strength and salvation, having His heart's desires fulfilled and crowned w
	Riding the Promise by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson preaches about God's 'preventing' promise, emphasizing that believers can claim victory even before facing battles. He reflects on how David found joy and peace des

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 21

Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 21 emphasizes the king's joy and confidence in God's strength and salvation, and reminds us to trust in God's power and promises. He notes that the psalm is a picture of Christ, who is our strength and our salvation, and that it looks forward to the ultimate triumph of God over His enemies. Henry also emphasizes the importance of praising and glorifying God, and of seeking to honor Him in all aspects of life. He reminds us that God is sovereign and all-powerful, and that His strength and salvation are the source of our joy and confidence. As Henry writes, 'The joy of the Lord is our strength, and His salvation is our song.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?