Psalm 21 is a thanksgiving for the king: “In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly.” God has granted his desire and “set on his head a crown of precious stones.” The Church applied these words to Christ the King and to the martyrs, crowned with glory. In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 20. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 21 in the 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.
Thou hast given him his heart’s desire: and hast not withholden from him the will of his lips.
For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.
He asked life of thee: and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.
His glory is great in thy salvation: glory and great beauty shalt thou lay upon him.
For thou shalt give him to be a blessing for ever and ever: thou shalt make him joyful in gladness with thy countenance.
For the king hopeth in the Lord: and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
Let thy hand be found by all thy enemies: let thy right hand find out all them that hate thee.
Thou shalt make them as an oven of fire, in the time of thy anger: the Lord shall trouble them in his wrath, and fire shall devour them.
Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth: and their seed from among the children of men.
For they have intended evils against thee: they have devised counsels which they have not been able to establish.
For thou shalt make them turn their back: in thy remnants thou shalt prepare their face.
Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy own strength: we will sing and praise thy power.
Psalm 21 or Psalm 20?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 20 is Psalm 21 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Domine, in virtute tua laetabitur rex. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- Joy in God’s strength: the king’s victory comes from God.
- Prayer answered: “Thou hast given him his heart’s desire.”
- A crown of glory: “Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.”
- Life for ever: “He asked life of thee: and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever,” fulfilled in Christ’s Resurrection.
- Trust in God’s mercy: the king stands firm “through the mercy of the most High.”
How the Church uses Psalm 21
- On feasts of martyrs: in the traditional Missal, “Thou hast set on his head, O Lord, a crown of precious stones” was sung in the Masses of martyrs. See saint feast days and the St. Stephen prayer.
- In the Liturgy of the Hours, at Evening Prayer.
A prayer with Psalm 21
Written for this page:
Lord, in your strength the King rejoices; how great is his joy in your saving help.
You crowned your Son with glory and gave him life for ever.
Crown your martyrs and saints, and give me the grace to persevere,
that I too may share your victory. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Psalm 21 associated with martyrs?
Its verse “Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones” was sung in traditional Masses of martyrs, who receive the crown of glory.
What is Psalm 21 about?
Thanksgiving for the king’s victory and long life, given by God; Christians see Christ the King.
More psalms and prayers
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 20 (21), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.