Psalm 21
The Message
21 1-7 Your strength, God, is the king’s strength.
Helped, he’s hollering Hosannas.
You gave him exactly what he wanted;
you didn’t hold back.
You filled his arms with gifts;
you gave him a right royal welcome.
He wanted a good life; you gave it to him,
and then made it a long life as a bonus.
You lifted him high and bright as a cumulus cloud,
then dressed him in rainbow colors.
You pile blessings on him;
you make him glad when you smile.
Is it any wonder the king loves God?
that he’s sticking with the Best?
8-12 With a fistful of enemies in one hand
and a fistful of haters in the other,
You radiate with such brilliance
that they cringe as before a furnace.
Now the furnace swallows them whole,
the fire eats them alive!
You purge the earth of their progeny,
you wipe the slate clean.
All their evil schemes, the plots they cook up,
have fizzled—every one.
You sent them packing;
they couldn’t face you.
13 Show your strength, God, so no one can miss it.
We are out singing the good news!
Psalm 21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 21
Thanksgiving for Victory
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord,
and in your help how greatly he exults!(A)
2 You have given him his heart’s desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah(B)
3 For you meet him with rich blessings;
you set a crown of fine gold on his head.(C)
4 He asked you for life; you gave it to him—
length of days forever and ever.(D)
5 His glory is great through your help;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.(E)
6 You bestow on him blessings forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.(F)
8 Your hand will find out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.(G)
9 You will make them like a fiery furnace
when you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
and fire will consume them.(H)
10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth
and their children from among humankind.(I)
11 If they plan evil against you,
if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.(J)
12 For you will put them to flight;
you will aim at their faces with your bows.(K)
13 Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.(L)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.