Psalm-21

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected like it once was pre the now “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following two truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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“Tehillim - Psalm 21”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Tehillim - Psalm 21 celebrates a king’s victory and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) favour: it is a thanksgiving Psalm that praises Divine blessing, royal prosperity, and the sure defeat of enemies, closing with a doxology of exaltation.

Introduction:

Tehillim - Psalm 21 is titled “A Psalm of David” and functions as a liturgical thanksgiving following victory, often read as the counterpart to Tehillim - Psalm 20’s petition for success. It frames royal success as the direct result of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim’s strength and mercy, and moves from gratitude to confident assurance that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim will judge the king’s foes.

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Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 21. (JPS-1917 version):

1. “For the Leader. A Psalm of David (JPS-1917 version).

2. O יְהוָה - LORD, in Thy strength the king rejoiceth; and in Thy salvation how greatly doth he exult!

3. Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and the request of his lips Thou hast not withholding. Selah.

4. For Thou meetest him with choicest blessings; Thou settest a crown of fine gold on his head.

5. He asked life of Thee, Thou gavest it him; even length of days for ever and ever.

6. His glory is great through Thy salvation; honour and majesty dost Thou lay upon him.

7. For Thou makest him most blessed for ever; Thou makest him glad with joy in Thy presence.

8. For the king trusteth in יְהוָה - the LORD, yea, in the mercy of the Most High; he shall not be moved.

9. Thy hand shall be equal to all thine enemies; thy right hand shall overtake those that hate thee.

10. Thou shalt make them as a fiery furnace in the time of thine anger; יְהוָה - the LORD shall swallow them up in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

11. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.

12. For they intended evil against thee, they imagined a device, wherewith they shall not prevail.

13. For thou shalt make them turn their back, thou shalt make ready with thy bowstrings against the face of them.

14. Be Thou exalted, O יְהוָה - LORD, in Thy strength; so will we sing and praise Thy power”.

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Let us look at its structure and historical context:

This Tehilim - Psalm is divided naturally into three Parts:

Verses 1-7 is all about thanksgiving for blessings and life, whilst verses 8-13 speaks of divine action against enemies, and finally verse 14 offers a closing call to exaltation. I see it as a song used in the royal style, celebrating a concrete military or political deliverance while also expressing theological truths about kingship and covenantal blessing.

A look at the verse by verse highlights:

Verses 1-3:

The king’s joy is rooted in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s strength and salvation; his desires and petitions are granted, this emphasizes Divine initiative in granting the king’s requests.

Verses 4-7:

The imagery of a golden crown, length of days, honour and majesty portrays the king as the visible beneficiary of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s *salvific favour; joy in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence is central.

*Salvific favour refers to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s unmerited, free grace and love that has the power or intention to save as human beings from sin, its consequences, such as spiritual death and separation from אֱלֹהִיםand harm.

Verses 8-13:

The tone shifts to confident assurance of judgment: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s hand will overtake enemies, consuming them like fire and erasing their seed language that combines royal vindication with Divine retribution and covenantal justice!

Theological themes:

Divine kingship and covenant: the Psalm links the human king’s welfare to יְהוָה - the LORD saving action, implying that legitimate rule depends on Divine blessing. Trust and vindication are paired, because the king trusts in יְהוָה - the LORD, he is immovable; because אֱלֹהִים acts, enemies are decisively defeated. The violent imagery reflects ancient Near Eastern royal victory motifs and should be read as theological vindication rather than a programmatic ethic for private vengeance.

Application and reading:

For our readers, Tehilim - Psalm 21 invites gratitude for providence, and confidence in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sustaining presence, it is a sober reflection on justice. It can be used liturgically to celebrate deliverance while prompting ethical questions about power, the use of force, and the call to trust אֱלֹהִים rather than our own human strength.

The Conclusion:

Tehillim - Psalm 21 moves from the personal and a national thanksgiving to a triumphant affirmation of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s power: the king’s joy is a mirror of Divine favour, and the defeat of enemies underscores sovereign justice. Its final doxology “Be Thou exalted, O יְהוָה - LORD” returns the focus from the human ruler to the One Who alone deserves praise”, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ - ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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