Psalms 21 — Jamieson–Fausset–Brown
21:1
1. thy strength ... thy salvation--as supplied by Thee.
21:2
2. The sentiment affirmed in the first clause is reaffirmed by the negation of its opposite in the second.
21:3
3. preventest--literally, "to meet here in good sense," or "friendship" (Psa 59:10; compare opposite, Psa 17:13). blessings of goodness--which confer happiness. crown of pure gold--a figure for the highest royal prosperity.
21:4–6
4-6. (Compare 2Sa 7:13-16). The glory and blessedness of the king as head of his line, including Christ, as well as in being God's specially selected servant, exceeded that of all others.
21:7
7. The mediate cause is the king's faith, the efficient, God's mercy.
21:8
8. The address is now made to the king. hand--denotes power, and right hand--a more active and efficient degree of its exercise. find out--reach, lay hold of, indicating success in pursuit of his enemies.
21:9
9. The king is only God's agent. anger--literally, "face," as appearing against them. as a fiery oven--as in it.
21:10
10. fruit--children (Psa 37:25; Ho 9:16).
21:11
11. This terrible overthrow, reaching to posterity, is due to their crimes (Ex 20:5, 6).
21:12
12. turn their back--literally, "place them [as to the] shoulder." against the face of them--The shooting against their faces would cause them to turn their backs in flight.
21:13
13. The glory of all is ascribable to God alone.