Chapter Overview
Summary
Psalm 21 (MT) / Psalm 20 (LXX) is the royal thanksgiving that answers Psalm 20's royal intercession — the king has received what was prayed for. The 'crown of pure gold' (v. 4), 'length of days forever and beyond' (v. 5), and 'you make him a blessing forever' (v. 7) read Messianically: the Davidic king's exalted-glory anticipates the Christological crowning of Christ (Heb 2:9, Rev 19:12).
Notable Variants
21:4 'crown of pure gold' → Rev 14:14 and 19:12 Christological crowning; 21:5 'length of days forever' as Messianic-eternal-kingship.
Structural Notes
MT Ps 21 = LXX Ps 20. 14 verses.
For the musical director — a psalm of David.
Superscription tracks MT.
O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength; in your salvation, how greatly he celebrates!
'The king rejoices in your strength' — the thanksgiving-equivalent of Ps 20's intercession.
You have given him his heart's desire, and the request of his lips you have not withheld. Selah.
'Heart's desire / request not withheld' tracks MT — answer to Ps 20:5's petition.
For you meet him with blessings of good things; you set a crown of pure gold on his head.
Masoretic (WLC)
תָּשִׁית לְרֹאשׁוֹ עֲטֶרֶת פָּז
you set a crown of pure gold on his head
Septuagint (LXX)
ἔθηκας ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ στέφανον ἐκ λίθου τιμίου
you placed on his head a crown of precious stones
The LXX reads 'crown of precious stones' where MT has 'crown of pure gold.' Both traditions emphasize the royal-crown's preciousness.
Revelation 14:14 ('on his head a golden crown') and 19:12 ('on his head many diadems') develop the Messianic-crown imagery. Hebrews 2:9 ('crowned with glory and honor,' estephanōmenon) applies the crowning Christologically to Christ post-resurrection.
He asked life from you — you gave it to him, length of days forever and beyond.
'Length of days forever and beyond' tracks MT. The hyperbolic-eternal-kingship is the Messianic reading — the Davidic king lives eternally only if read through Christ.
Great is his glory through your salvation; splendor and majesty you lay upon him.
Great glory tracks MT.
For you make him a blessing forever; you fill him with joy in your presence.
'Blessing forever' tracks MT — the Abrahamic-blessing (Gen 12:3) extended to the Davidic king.
For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the faithful love of the Most High he will not be shaken.
King's trust in the LORD tracks MT.
Your hand will find all your enemies; your right hand will find those who hate you.
Enemies-found-by-the-right-hand tracks MT.
You will make them like a fiery oven at the time of your appearing. The LORD in his anger will swallow them, and fire will consume them.
'Fiery oven' / 'LORD's anger' judgment-imagery tracks MT. Malachi 4:1 and Matt 13:42 ('fiery furnace') extend the eschatological-fire imagery.
You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their descendants from among humanity.
Enemies' offspring destroyed tracks MT.
For they stretched out evil against you; they devised a scheme — but they will not succeed.
Enemies' scheme failure tracks MT.
For you will put them to flight; you will aim your bowstrings at their faces.
Bowstring aim tracks MT.
Rise up, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and make music to your power.
'Rise up, O LORD' — divine-activity closing praise tracks MT.