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"Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power."

~ Psalm 21:13

 

We saw last time in Psalm 20 that David began with benedictory statements (requests of blessing).  He then made declarations of truth and concluded with a request that the LORD would “save the king” and “answer us when we call”.  Psalm 21 would seem to be David’s written response to how God acted according to Psalm 20.

From requests for answers in the day of trouble, for protection, help and support (20:1-2), David now rejoices in the LORD’s strength and greatly exults in his salvation (21:1).

In asking for remembrance and favor from God (20:3), David has been met with “rich blessings” and “a crown of fine gold” (21:3).

In asking that his heart’s desire be granted, and all his plans fulfilled (20:4), David declares that he has been “given…his heart’s desire” and that God “[has] not withheld the request of his lips” (21:2).

From requests to have joy over salvation (20:5), David has received “life…length of days” (21:4), “salvation; splendor and majesty” (21:5), “bless[ing] forever…glad[ness] with the joy of [his] presence” (21:6).

David declared that the “LORD saves”, that he “trust[s] in the name of the LORD our God”, and that through it “we rise and stand upright” (20:6-8).  David now again declares that “the king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved” (21:7)

David noted that “some trust in chariots and some in horses” and that “they collapse and fall” (20:7-8), and now he ‘double-clicks’ to expand on this idea in 21:8-12.  (See also reference to “the saving might of his right hand” 20:6)

May we too exult the LORD in his strength, and sing and praise his power! (21:13)