Psalm 21:1
New International Version
For the director of music. A psalm of David. The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How great is his joy in the victories you give!

New Living Translation
How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD! He shouts with joy because you give him victory.

English Standard Version
O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation!

King James Bible
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!

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The king shall have joy in Your strength, O LORD; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

New American Standard Bible
For the music director. A Psalm of David. LORD, in Your strength the king will be glad, And in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice!

NASB 1995
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. O LORD, in Your strength the king will be glad, And in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice!

NASB 1977
O Lord, in Thy strength the king will be glad, And in Thy salvation how greatly he will rejoice!

Legacy Standard Bible
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. O Yahweh, in Your strength the king will be glad, And in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice!

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O LORD the king will delight in Your strength, And in Your salvation how greatly will he rejoice!

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. A psalm of David. LORD, the king finds joy in your strength. How greatly he rejoices in your victory!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. LORD, the king finds joy in Your strength. How greatly he rejoices in Your victory!

American Standard Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The king shall joy in thy strength, O Jehovah; And in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

Contemporary English Version
Our LORD, your mighty power makes the king glad, and he celebrates victories that you have given him.

English Revised Version
For 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!

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[For the choir director; a psalm by David.] The king finds joy in your strength, O LORD. What great joy he has in your victory!

Good News Translation
The king is glad, O LORD, because you gave him strength; he rejoices because you made him victorious.

International Standard Version
The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How greatly he rejoices in your deliverance.

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation!

NET Bible
For the music director; a psalm of David. O LORD, the king rejoices in the strength you give; he takes great delight in the deliverance you provide.

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.] The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How greatly he rejoices in your salvation.

Webster's Bible Translation
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!

World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The king rejoices in your strength, Yahweh! How greatly he rejoices in your salvation!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID. YHWH, the king is joyful in Your strength, "" How greatly he rejoices in Your salvation.

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David. Jehovah, in Thy strength is the king joyful, In Thy salvation how greatly he rejoiceth.

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer; chanting of David. O Jehovah, in thy strength shall the king rejoice; and in thy salvation how shall he greatly exult.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end. A psalm for David. In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. A Psalm of David. In your virtue, Lord, the king will rejoice, and over your salvation, he will exult exceedingly.

New American Bible
For the leader. A psalm of David. [2] LORD, the king finds joy in your power; in your victory how greatly he rejoices!

New Revised Standard Version
In your strength the king rejoices, O LORD, and in your help how greatly he exults!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THE king shall rejoice in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH, the King will rejoice in your power, and in your salvation he will greatly leap for joy.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader. A Psalm of David. O LORD, in Thy strength the king rejoiceth; And in Thy salvation how greatly doth he exult!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, a Psalm of David. O Lord, the king shall rejoice in thy strength; and in thy salvation he shall greatly exult.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
After the Battle
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation! 2You have granted his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah…

Cross References
1 Samuel 2:1
At that time Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, for I rejoice in Your salvation.

Psalm 20:4-5
May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed. / 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.

Psalm 18:50
Great salvation He brings to His king. He shows loving devotion to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.

Psalm 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.

Psalm 13:5
But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation.

Psalm 35:9
Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and exult in His salvation.

Psalm 63:11
But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by Him will exult, for the mouths of liars will be shut.

Psalm 89:16-17
They rejoice in Your name all day long, and in Your righteousness they exult. / For You are the glory of their strength, and by Your favor our horn is exalted.

Psalm 118:15
Shouts of joy and salvation resound in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Habakkuk 3:18
yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

Luke 1:47
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

Romans 5:11
Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Philippians 3:1
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.


Treasury of Scripture

The king shall joy in your strength, O LORD; and in your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

(Title.

The king

Psalm 2:6
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Psalm 20:6,9
Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand…

Psalm 63:11
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

joy

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 62:7
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Psalm 95:1
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

in thy

Psalm 20:5
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

Psalm 71:17-24
O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works…

Psalm 118:14,15
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation…

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Chief Choirmaster David Delight Director Exults Glad Great Greatly Help Joy Joyful Leader Music Musician Overseer Psalm Rejoice Rejoices Rejoiceth Salvation Strength Victories
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Psalm 21
1. A thanksgiving for victory
7. with confidence of further success














O LORD
This phrase is a direct address to Yahweh, the covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible. It signifies a personal and relational God who is actively involved in the lives of His people. The use of "LORD" in all caps in English translations indicates the original Hebrew name YHWH, which is considered sacred and ineffable. This invocation sets the tone for the psalm, acknowledging God's supreme authority and intimate involvement in the affairs of the king and the nation.

the king
In the context of ancient Israel, the king was not only a political leader but also a spiritual representative of the people. The king's relationship with God was crucial for the nation's well-being. Historically, this could refer to King David, who is traditionally credited with writing many of the psalms. David's life exemplifies a deep reliance on God, and his victories are often attributed to divine intervention.

rejoices
The Hebrew root for "rejoices" is "שָׂמַח" (samach), which conveys a sense of joy and gladness. This joy is not merely an emotional response but a profound acknowledgment of God's active role in the king's successes. It reflects a heart that is aligned with God's purposes and finds its ultimate satisfaction in His strength.

in Your strength
The phrase "in Your strength" highlights the source of the king's joy. It is not in his own power or military might, but in the strength of the LORD. This strength is both physical and spiritual, encompassing God's ability to protect, deliver, and empower His people. Biblically, God's strength is often demonstrated through miraculous victories and divine interventions, underscoring His sovereignty and omnipotence.

How greatly he exults
The word "exults" comes from the Hebrew "עָלַץ" (alatz), which means to leap for joy or to triumph. This expression of exuberant joy indicates a deep-seated confidence in God's salvation. The adverb "greatly" amplifies this joy, suggesting that it is overwhelming and all-encompassing. It is a response to the recognition of God's mighty acts and His faithfulness to His promises.

in Your salvation
"Salvation" in Hebrew is "יְשׁוּעָה" (yeshuah), which means deliverance or victory. In the Old Testament context, salvation often referred to deliverance from physical enemies or peril. However, it also carries a spiritual dimension, pointing to God's ultimate plan of redemption. For the king, this salvation is both a present reality and a future hope, rooted in God's covenant faithfulness and His ability to save His people from all forms of bondage.

(1) The king shall.--Rather, the king is exulting in thy might (which has secured the victory he prayed for), and in thy help how greatly glad is he.

Verse 1. - The king shall joy. The future is used to give the idea of continuance, "The king rejoices, and will go on rejoicing." In thy strength, O Lord; i.e. in the strength that thou puttest forth to help and protect him (comp. Psalm 20:6). And in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice: God' s "salvation" had been confidently anticipated (Psalm 20:5, 6, 9), and has now been experienced.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

A Psalm
מִזְמ֥וֹר (miz·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4210: Instrumental music, a poem set to notes

of David.
לְדָוִֽד׃ (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

O LORD,
יְֽהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the king
מֶ֑לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

rejoices
יִשְׂמַח־ (yiś·maḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

in Your strength.
בְּעָזְּךָ֥ (bə·‘āz·zə·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5797: Strength, might

How
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

greatly
יָּ֥גֶל‪‬ (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

he exults
מְאֹֽד׃יגילמְאֹֽד׃ (yā·ḡel)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1523: To spin round, rejoice, fear

in Your salvation!
וּ֝בִישׁ֥וּעָתְךָ֗ (ū·ḇî·šū·‘ā·ṯə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3444: Something saved, deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity


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OT Poetry: Psalm 21:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 20:9
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