Psalms 21

Ps 21 God’s people thank him for giving victory to the king.

21:2 The king has experienced his heart’s desire—God’s protection and blessing (see 20:5; see also 2:8).

21:3-6 The king returned victorious from battle and received honor from the people. His greatest honor came from God, who gave him blessings, life, and his presence.21:3 success and prosperity: See Prov 10:6.

21:4 God offers a rich quality of life (61:6-7; 91:14-16; 128:4-6) characterized by his presence (16:11; 23:6; 27:4; 36:9), joy (16:11), goodness (23:6; 34:14-15), and protection (41:2; 61:7).

21:6 God’s eternal blessings also bring fullness of life in the present (see Ps 133).

21:7 The king enjoyed victory not because of his strength or intrinsic goodness but because God honored his faith.

21:8-12 As long as even a single enemy opposed the king’s authority, God’s kingdom was not fully present. This prayer requests victory over all evil in the world.

21:9 The flaming furnace and fire portray the severity of God’s judgment on the wicked. In the Old Testament, this image often refers to hell (11:6; 18:8; 50:3; 68:2; 78:21; 79:5; 80:16; 89:46; 97:3; 104:4; 140:10; see Isa 66:24).

21:10 children . . . descendants: Evil will end when God destroys all opposition to himself (109:13; cp. 18:50; 22:30-31; 25:13; 102:28).

21:13 Rise up (or be exalted, as in 57:5, 11; 108:5) expresses communal praise and joy in God’s greatness and power.