Psalms

Psalms 21: The LORD crowns His king

Begin in prayer

Before we celebrate the king's crown and victory, let us remember the Lord who gave them. Ask Him to turn our pride into thankful praise and bring us to trust Jesus.

Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.”’”

2 Samuel 7:16

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the LORD gives His king joy and defeats evil by His strength. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The prayer for the king in Psalm 20 is followed by thanksgiving for the salvation the LORD has given him. The king rejoices in God's strength, with his requests answered and a crown of fine gold set on his head. God gives him life, honour and gladness in His presence, while loving kindness keeps the trusting king from being moved. The song then looks toward enemies found and destroyed under the LORD's anger, whose evil plans cannot succeed. Its final request asks God to be exalted in His strength as His people sing and praise His power.

As you read Psalms 21, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD makes His king glad through salvation and loving kindness, and His strength defeats evil schemes.

The king receives his crown, life and honour from God, so thanksgiving puts the glory where it belongs. His gladness comes from God's presence as well as from the victory He has given. Length of days forever reaches beyond David's lifetime toward the lasting reign promised to his royal offspring. The king's trust rests on the loving kindness of the Most High, which keeps him from being shaken. That confidence includes God's hand finding every enemy and His wrath consuming those who hate Him. The judgment reaches their descendants, removing their posterity from the earth. Their intention to harm is real, yet the evil they plan cannot overcome the LORD's strength. The people answer this certainty by asking God to exalt His strength and promising Him their praise.

How does Psalm 21 show us that the LORD makes His king glad through salvation and loving kindness, and His strength defeats evil schemes?

The LORD gives His king salvation and joy.

The king's heart and lips have asked, and God has answered. Crown, honour and life are gifts placed upon him by the LORD. His stability rests on the loving kindness of the God he trusts.

The LORD's strength defeats those who plot evil.

No hidden place keeps God's hand from finding His enemies. The song warns of consuming wrath and the destruction of their descendants. Their plans fail before the Lord whose power His people praise.

Memorise

For the king trusts in Yahweh. Through the loving kindness of the Most High, he shall not be moved.

Psalm 21:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where do I seek glory for myself instead of giving thanks to Jesus?

The king rejoices in God's salvation, and the song asks, “Be exalted, Yahweh, in your strength”. Every crown and every victory is a gift from the LORD. His loving kindness keeps the trusting king secure.

Jesus, the promised Son of David, came to save guilty people through the cross. He bore the punishment of His people, then rose from the dead to reign forever. The King has settled His people's whole debt, securing their pardon beneath a throne no enemy can overthrow.

Turn from sin and bow before this King in faith. He forgives everyone who depends on His saving work. Give Him the glory your pride would keep for itself. The King who saves will also judge, so receive His mercy and follow Him with thankful reverence.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gives His king joy and judges evil. Explain verses 8 to 12 without graphic detail. A Christian home cannot save them. Call each child to repent and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His loving kindness and the strength of His victorious King. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.

John 5:23

Most High God, thank You for the salvation and joy You give through Your Son. Forgive our pride and bring us to trust Jesus as our King. Help us remember that every good thing comes from You. Give us thankful hearts and reverence for Your righteous judgment through this week. Amen.