Psalms 21
Summary for Ps 21:1-13: Ps 21 a God’s people thank him for giving victory to the king.21:2 b The king has experienced his heart’s desire—God’s protection and blessing (see 20:5 c; see also 2:8 d).
Summary for Ps 21:3-6: 21:3-6 e 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 f success and prosperity: See Prov 10:6 g.
21:4 h God offers a rich quality of life (61:6-7 i; 91:14-16 j; 128:4-6 k) characterized by his presence (16:11 l; 23:6 m; 27:4 n; 36:9 o), joy (16:11 p), goodness (23:6 q; 34:14-15 r), and protection (41:2 s; 61:7 t).
21:6 u God’s eternal blessings also bring fullness of life in the present (see Ps 133 v).
21:7 w The king enjoyed victory not because of his strength or intrinsic goodness but because God honored his faith.
Summary for Ps 21:8-12: 21:8-12 x 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 y 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 z; 18:8 aa; 50:3 ab; 68:2 ac; 78:21 ad; 79:5 ae; 80:16 af; 89:46 ag; 97:3 ah; 104:4 ai; 140:10 aj; see Isa 66:24 ak).
21:10 al children ... descendants: Evil will end when God destroys all opposition to himself (109:13 am; cp. 18:50 an; 22:30-31 ao; 25:13 ap; 102:28 aq).
21:13 ar Rise up (or be exalted, as in 57:5 as, 11 at; 108:5 au) expresses communal praise and joy in God’s greatness and power.
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