Psalm 21

Psalm 21
1In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord,
and in your help how greatly he exults!
2You have given him his heart’s desire,
and have not withheld the request of his lips.
Selah
3For you meet him with rich blessings;
you set a crown of fine gold on his head.
4He asked you for life; you gave it to him—
length of days for ever and ever.
5His glory is great through your help;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6You bestow on him blessings for ever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7For the king trusts in the Lord,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.


8Your hand will find out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9You will make them like a fiery furnace
when you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
and fire will consume them.
10You will destroy their offspring from the earth,
and their children from among humankind.
11If they plan evil against you,
if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
12For you will put them to flight;
you will aim at their faces with your bows.


13Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.


It is hard to remember grammar. It does not always resonate in the same way. When we pray, it is not so much what we say, but how we ask. However, the Psalms are written and what we have are translations. So it matters, to a degree, how the faithful understand and interpret their relationship with God.


The verbs in this psalm is in the imperative tense. An indication of what will happen, but a certainty to the coming victory. The form of the prayers is hopeful and certain. There can be grace found in this promise of hopeful deliverance.


Scholars will say that this Psalm was meant for the community. It is addressed, of course, to God. But it also a prayer for the leadership (the king) and the way in which the people respond to that leadership. It serves as a reminder that in our prayer life, we are called to pray for our leaders and ourselves. In all things, we remember that God is the one who ultimately holds the supreme power.


Pray Psalm 21.