Psalm 21 - More Than Conquerors

Psalm 21:1-3, 7-8, 13

The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!
You have granted him his heart’s desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips.
You came to greet him with rich blessings
and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
For the king trusts in the Lord;
through the unfailing love of the Most High
he will not be shaken.
Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies;
your right hand will seize your foes.
Be exalted in your strength, Lord;
we will sing and praise your might.


Psalm 21 is another royal psalm. It celebrates how God has answered the king's requests, blessing the king and his kingdom with victories over enemies, prosperity, and long life. The reason given for God's blessing is the king's trust in the Lord's unfailing love.

God is deeply committed to Israel. God is covenanted with this people to be their God and they His people, so that all the world will know the way of blessing. The blessings come through covenant faithfulness. God is faithful to His promises to Israel. When Israel is faithful to God they receive blessing, health and wealth. They know protection and victory over every enemy. God so identifies with His people that the enemies of Israel are God's enemies. At least that's how Israel saw their relationship with God in the days of the Davidic monarchy.

The bible illustrates how unfaithful God's people can be. In their unfaithfulness they experience curse rather than blessing. God does not fight for them in such times. God does not bless them with protection or health or prosperity. Instead God warns them to repent and turn back to covenant faithfulness. God sends prophets to urge kings to lead the people back to faithfulness, back to their commitment to God.

In Christ, you are covenanted with God through faith in Jesus. There are blessings to expect in your faith, but know that life will include challenge and even suffering, especially as you work to live in God's will. Jesus told His disciples, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)

Take heart and praise the Lord for His mighty power, a spiritual power that can give you strength to be more than conquerors!