Psalms 21

Looking Back

¹Yahweh , because of your strength the king is strong.

Look how he rejoices in you!

He bursts out with a joyful song because of your victory!

²For you have given him his heart’s desire,

anything and everything he asks for.

You haven’t withheld a thing from the king.

³Rich blessings overflow with every encounter with you,

and you placed a royal crown of gold upon his head.

⁴He wanted life —you have given it to him and more![#21:4 This can be viewed as a prophecy of our Lord Jesus asking for resurrection-life. Every verse of this psalm is prophetic, pointing us to Jesus.]

The days of his blessing stretch on one after another, forever!

⁵You have honored him and made him famous.

Glory-garments are upon him,

and you surround him with splendor and majesty.

⁶Your victory heaps blessing after blessing upon him.

What joy and bliss he tastes, rejoicing before your face!

⁷For the king trusts in Yahweh ,

and he will never stumble, never fall.

The forever-love of the Most High holds him firm.

Looking Forward

⁸Your almighty hands have captured your foes.

You uncovered all who hate you and you seized them.

^9-10When you appear before them,

unveiling the radiance of your face ,

they will be consumed by the fierce fire of your presence.

Yahweh ’s flames will swallow them up.

They and their descendants

will be destroyed by an unrelenting fire.

¹¹We will watch them fail,

for these are the ones who plan their evil schemes against the Lord.

¹²They will turn and run at the sight of your judgment-arrows

aimed straight at their hearts.

Looking Up

¹³Rise up and put your might on display!

By your strength we will sing and praise your glorious power!