Psalm 21 . Notes by John Brown

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In this song of thanksgiving, observe, (1.) All the joys, the honours, and happiness, of king David, founded in the perfections and gracious works of God, ver. 1-6. (2.) Full assurance of the stability of David’s throne, and of the discovery and destruction of his implacable opposers, ver. 7-12. (3.) Earnest supplications to God, for the exhilarating displays of his glory and power, ver. 13. But chiefly, my soul, behold here, the everlasting honours, joys, happiness, and blissful influences of thy Redeemer! Behold how fixed in his kingdom and dignity, in the infinite, everlasting, and unchangeable wisdom, power, mercy, equity, goodness and truth of the Most High! Behold, what inexpressible vengeance kindles upon and destroys his Jewish, his Heathen, his Antichristian, and other incorrigible foes! ­ Rejoice my soul, in this God thy Saviour. Rejoice at the glory wherewith he is crowned: at the life granted to, and lodged in him; and in his being made blessings for evermore to men; blessings for evermore to me. And let the ruinous overthrow of his Jewish or other enemies, make me stand in awe to provoke him, by presumptuous refusal of him, or rebellion against him. Lyrics 1 The king in thy great strength, O Lord, shall very joyful be: In thy salvation rejoice how veh’mently shall he! 2 Thou hast bestowed upon him all that his heart would have; And thou from him didst not withhold whate’er his lips did crave. 3 For thou with blessings him prevent’st of goodness manifold; And thou hast set upon his head a crown of purest gold. 4 When he desired life of thee, thou life to him didst give; Ev’n such a length of days, that he for evermore should live. 5 In that salvation wrought by thee his glory is made great; Honour and comely majesty thou hast upon him set. 6 Because that thou for evermore most blessed hast him made; And thou hast with thy countenance made him exceeding glad. 7 Because the king upon the Lord his confidence doth lay; And through the grace of the most High shall not be mov’d away. 8 Thine hand shall all those men find out that en’mies are to thee; Ev’n thy right hand shall find out those of thee that haters be. 9 Like fiery ov’n thou shalt them make, when kindled is thine ire; God shall them swallow in his wrath, devour them shall the fire. 10 Their fruit from earth thou shalt destroy, their seed men from among: 11 For they beyond their might ‘gainst thee did plot mischief and wrong. 12 Thou therefore shalt make them turn back, when thou thy shafts shalt place Upon thy strings, made ready all to fly against their face. 13 In thy great pow’r and strength, O Lord, be thou exalted high; So shall we sing with joyful hearts, thy power praise shall we.

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