Psalms 21 Explained!!

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

Click Reference Link to Read Chapter: BibleRef.com

Chapter Commentary:

Psalm 21 pairs with Psalm 20, which seems to come before David entered a battle. This song celebrates victory and expresses confidence in future success.

This praise of God begins by expressing the king's victory and his appreciation for God's favor. Verse 4 makes a reference to "length of days forever and ever," which seems to be a reference to the Messiah. In 2 Samuel 7:11–16, the Lord promises to establish David's descendant(s) on the throne for all time. It was these guarantees from God, and the success he obtained, that made David and his people confident in God's goodness and faithfulness (Psalm 21:1–7).

The second half of the psalm anticipates future victories for king David. These are credited to God, as the one who "swallows up" enemies of His chosen people. As part of this celebration, Scripture reminds us that following in the sinful footsteps of our ancestors is no excuse. Those who continue the sins of their parents can expect to face God's judgment. This passage also uses a vivid illustration of how David's enemies will flee him. They will respond as drastically as would someone having a drawn bow pointed directly into their face. This is the depth of faith the people express in God's power and plans (Psalm 21:8–13).

Verse Context:

Psalm 21:1–7, much like the first part of Psalm 20, records the praise David and the congregation offer to the Lord for granting David victory over his enemy. This section precedes the congregation's confidence in what the Lord will do through David. Second Samuel 7:1–17 provides a background to these verses by reporting the covenant God made with David. Part of the covenant was an assurance that God would subdue David's enemies. MY NOTE: GOD KEPT HIS PROMISES FOR DAVID AND WILL KEEP HIS PROMISES FOR US!!! WE MUST TRUST GOD!!!

Psalm 21:8–13 contains the people's address to King David. They express their confidence that he will win future battles because they believe the Lord will swallow up his enemies. This section is similar to the closing section of Psalm 20. Psalm 18:50, 2 Samuel 7:16, and Genesis 12:1–3 guarantee the continuance of the nation of Israel and David's descendants. Psalm 21 ends with a swelling chorus of praise.

Chapter Summary:

Psalm 21 opens and closes with praise to the Lord for the strength He gave David and his army for gaining a victory over the enemy. In verses 1–7 David and the people extol God for answering their prayer and for giving David rich blessings. They rejoice in knowing the Lord is present, and they express their trust in the Lord. They feel safe knowing the Lord's love is unfailing. The people of the congregation voice their assurance that King David will defeat his enemies. David's enemies may plan evil and devise mischief against him, but they will not succeed. David will rout them, and his arrows will strike them. The closing verse of Psalm 21 is a prayer by David and the congregation—it is also a pledge to sing and praise the Lord God for His power.

Chapter Context:

This psalm is likely a follow-up to Psalm 20. In Psalm 20 the congregation of Israel and David prayed for victory in an upcoming battle. Psalm 21 offers thanks for the victory and expresses David's joy over the strength from the Lord that secured the victory. David also anticipates victory in future encounters. Second Samuel 7:4–16 contains the covenant God made with David.

Book Summary:

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

To help you all and myself get a full understanding of the Book of Psalms, I am going back to the beginning of Psalms, and including an explanation of each Chapter I have read.

And just as some of the current explanation of the Psalms having the Scripture links, and some won’t, so will these reposted ones have the same.

Again, this will help you all dig deep into your study of the Book of Psalm. I will redo Psalms 1 to Psalms 43. I will post Psalms 21 today, with Psalms 73.

I think it is a great idea to go back and study Psalms 1 to Psalms 43 with the explanation. Because the ones with the explanation will give you a detailed explanation of each Psalm.

I want to show that the people in the days of Psalms, also had questions for God and they expressed them – they poured out their hearts to God. God knows how we feel in our hearts when we are hard pressed down by the things of life – GOD LOVES US NO MATTER WHAT (Romans 8)!! And God wants us to come to HIM and CAST ALL those CARES, things upon Him, just like the people in the Psalms. GOD CARES FOR US (1 Peter 5:7)!!

As we see from the Psalms, NO MATTER WHAT David faced, he PRAISED, THANKED, AND WORSHIPPED GOD!! NOT that he was glad he was going through, but he TRUSTED that GOD WOULD rescue him, and bring him through WHATEVER he faced; David remembered that GOD had brought him through every time in the past!! 

Therefore, let us each day, as we read these Psalms, do as David did, PRAISE, THANK, AND WORSHIP GOD for HIS GOODNESS to us!!

There is ALWAYS something we can look back at, and see how GOD, our ABBA, has brought us out of!! And we can look at our present lives, and see GOD bringing us out of something every day!!

GOD IS A GOOD. GOOD, GOOD FATHER to us; HE takes GREAT care of us!!

Questions:

1. In today’s Psalm, do you see what David is praising God for, being thankful to God for, or worshiping God for? 

2. Today, what are YOU praising God for, thankful to God for, or worshipping God for?

Just as before, I pray the explanation of each Chapter of the Book of Psalms, is a BLESSING to you all as you all dive deeper into the Word of God this year!!

And don’t forget to pray as you study this material, asking Holy Spirit to give you all the revelational knowledge YOU NEED, to transform your life from the inside out!! I pray this year will be your BEST year ever!! Stay walking hand in hand with our loving Heavenly Father, our ABBA, ALWAYS acknowledging Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in the way you should go daily, not going your own way, and be a disciple of Jesus, not a fan, then you won’t go wrong!!

Click Here for the PDF Version of “Psalms 21 Explained!!”

Click Here for PDF Version of "Links to Psalms 1 to 20 Explained!!”

God’s BLESSINGS to you all and your families!!

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks