Praying the Psalms: Psalm 21

Last week’s reflection highlighted that Psalm 20 was for the people of Israel when King David went out to battle. So, if Psalm 20 was a prayer for the prelude to battle, Psalm 21 is one of thanks and praise to God at David’s triumphant return. It is a Psalm of Victory, and is complimentary to Psalm 20.

Praise is given to the Lord for David’s success, and Whose might has destroyed all David’s enemies. God blesses the king, sets a crown of pure gold on his head (symbol of authority and permanency), gives him long life, makes him blessed to be a blessing forever, and makes him exceedingly glad with the joy of His presence.

The king rejoices in his salvation, receives his heart’s desire and the requests of his lips, and shall never be moved because of the mercy and steadfast love of the Lord. The Lord also takes care of all his enemies, routing them out and destroying them all, even their future generations.

So what do we take from this Psalm? How can it apply to us?

Here are a couple of thoughts…

 

Our victories are not of our own doing

The Psalmist doesn’t boast in the king; he boasts in God. The king is merely the object and beneficiary of God’s benevolence. He is under no illusions as to how victory is won; not by horses or chariots, or the might of men, but by the power of God.

Our enemies are not our own

The enemies we face are also the enemies of God and It is God who deals with them. For our part, we are exhorted to bring it all before the One in whom we trust, knowing that he will see to it. Hezekiah understood this – see Isaiah 37.

 

Our blessings are not for us alone

The nation of Israel was always “blessed to be a blessing.” It was not intended for this to become a cliche or some quaint saying; it was (and is) intended to be a way of life.

It is the heart of a generous God who desires we would be “generous in every way, on every occasion.” But perhaps the part we can often miss is that when another is blessed, we too are blessed through them. Hence, we ought to be intentional in celebrating the successes and triumphs of others.

Actually, I believe that when we live a life of gratitude, giving thanks daily to God for all things, our eyes are opened to just how much we are blessed through the company of our family and friends. God’s blessings are there: can we see it? Do we know how to receive it?

What’s our part?

What did the king do for all this to take place?

For the king trusts in the Lord” (Ps 21:7).

May this stir both your mind and heart; stimulating higher thoughts, greater trust in God, and deeper appreciation for His workings in all our lives.

– Douglas Smythe