Psalms
Chapter 21
This psalm celebrates a king who has been given victory and long life because he trusted God. The first half thanks God for the blessings poured out on the king. The second half describes God defeating the king's enemies and their plans failing. It closes by asking God to show his strength, with the people promising to sing his praise.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
1LORD, the king is glad because you are strong. You rescued him, and he is filled with joy!
2Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
2You gave him what his heart wanted. You did not hold back what he asked for. Selah.
"Selah" is a Hebrew word left untranslated. It probably marked a pause or a musical break when the psalm was sung.
3For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
3You came to meet him with good gifts. You placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
The KJV says God "preventest him." In 1611 "prevent" meant to go before or come to meet someone, not to stop them.
4He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
4He asked you for life, and you gave it to him. You gave him days that go on and on, forever.
5His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.
5Because you saved him, everyone honors him. You have given him splendor and greatness.
6For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.
6You have blessed him forever. Being near you has filled him with joy.
7For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
7The king trusts the LORD. Because the Most High God loves him and stays true, the king will not be shaken.
The KJV word "mercy" here stands for a Hebrew word meaning steady, loyal love that keeps its promises.
8Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
8Your hand will reach every one of your enemies. Your strong right hand will catch those who hate you.
9Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
9When you appear, you will throw them into a fire like a burning oven. The LORD will swallow them up in his anger, and the fire will burn them up.
10Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
10You will wipe their children from the earth. Their families will not be found among people anymore.
11For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
11They planned to hurt you. They came up with a wicked scheme, but they cannot carry it out.
12Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.
12You will make them turn and run. You will aim your bow, with the arrow pulled back, straight at them.
13Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
13Rise up, LORD, and show your own strength. Then we will sing and praise how powerful you are.
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