Bible Strands
Psalms 21:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses Yahweh, speaking of a king (likely himself or a successor) who has received divine deliverance. The superscript "For the choirmaster" marks it for liturgical use.
The words — Two distinct verbs carry the emotional weight: יִשְׂמַח (yis.mach, "he rejoices") and יָגֵל (ya.geil, "he exults"), paired with the exclamatory מַה (mah, "how!"). The progression from joy to exultation escalates the response.
The thread — The same pattern of strength and rejoicing appears in Psalms 28:7 ("The LORD is my strength… my heart rejoices") and Psalms 62:7 ("My salvation and my honor rest on God").
Why it lands — It locates the king's joy entirely in Yahweh's strength and deliverance, not in his own capacity. The reader is asked to see that even royal triumph is received, not self-generated.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
Cross-references
- Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.
- Psalms 62:7 My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock; my refuge is in God.
- Matthew 2:2 asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
- Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
- Psalms 2:6 “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”
- Psalms 20:5 May we shout for joy at your victory and raise a banner in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your petitions.
- Psalms 20:9 O LORD, save the king. Answer us on the day we call.
- Psalms 63:11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by Him will exult, for the mouths of liars will be shut.
- Psalms 71:17 O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds.