Read the following psalm and allow it to be your prayer to God today.

Psalm 21 (NIV)

The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give!

You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked you for life, and you gave it to him– length of days, for ever and ever. Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed. You will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow.

Be exalted in your strength, Lord; we will sing and praise your might.

Psalm 21 (NRSV)

In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord, and in your help how greatly he exults! You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips.

For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold on his head. He asked you for life; you gave it to him– length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your help; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. You bestow on him blessings forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. You will make them like a fiery furnace when you appear. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them. You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their children from among humankind. If they plan evil gainst you, if they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows.

Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.

Creative Options for Reading Psalms

Draw a Prayer

The Psalms are filled with rich imagery. After reading Psalm 21, draw the images that come to mind. You don’t have to be an artist to find value in drawing the images and emotions behind the Psalms.

If you don’t enjoy drawing, you can write out Psalm 21 using different colored pens or pencils. Creatively writing out the psalm can help you connect with it in a new way.

Listen to a Song

Poor Bishop Hooper publishes a new song each week. Each song creatively presents the words of a psalm.

You can find their song based on Psalm 21 here.

Read with a Friend

Find a friend or family member and read the psalm together. Together, talk about what Psalm 21 means to you. Sometimes having another perspective can help you gain new insights.