King James Version

What Does Psalms 21:13 Mean?

Psalms 21:13 in the King James Version says “Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.”

Psalms 21:13 · KJV

Strength

Context

11

For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.

12

Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them. shalt thou: or, thou shalt set them as a butt back: Heb. shoulder

13

Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. The psalm concludes with a doxology that redirects all praise from the king back to YHWH. 'Be thou exalted' (rumah, רוּמָה) is a prayer for God to manifest His supremacy, to be lifted high above all rivals and acknowledged by all creation. This exaltation is 'in thine own strength' (be'ozekha, בְּעֻזֶּךָ)—God's power alone, not human contribution, deserves glory.

The response to God's exaltation is worship: 'we will sing and praise thy power.' The Hebrew word for 'sing' (nashirah, נָשִׁירָה) implies lyrical, musical celebration. 'Praise' (zammerah, נְזַמֵּרָה) specifically refers to singing with instrumental accompaniment—full orchestral worship. The psalm thus moves from petition (Psalm 20) through thanksgiving for answered prayer (Psalm 21:1-12) to doxological worship that acknowledges God as the ultimate hero of the narrative.

This pattern—from request through deliverance to praise—structures biblical faith. Christians experience the same movement: we cry out to God in need, He delivers through Christ, and we respond with worship. The book of Revelation depicts this eternally: the redeemed sing, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' (Revelation 5:12). Our worship acknowledges that God's power accomplished salvation, and all glory belongs to Him alone. The principle of soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone) finds its Old Testament foundation in verses like this.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Temple worship in ancient Israel was characterized by instrumental music and congregational singing. The Levitical musicians used lyres, harps, cymbals, trumpets, and other instruments (1 Chronicles 25:1-7, Psalm 150). The superscriptions of many psalms include musical directions ('To the chief Musician,' 'with stringed instruments,' etc.), indicating their liturgical function. Psalm 21 would have been sung with full musical accompaniment during thanksgiving celebrations.

The call to 'exalt' God reflects ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine kingship. In pagan thought, gods were exalted through military victories of their earthly representatives—a god's status rose or fell with his people's fortunes. Israel inverted this: YHWH's exaltation wasn't dependent on Israel's success; rather, Israel's success demonstrated YHWH's already-existing supremacy. Even in defeat, God remained sovereign (the prophets proclaimed this during exile—Isaiah 40-55).

This concluding doxology would have involved the entire worshiping community. Where earlier verses focused on the king, the final verse uses the plural 'we will sing'—all Israel joins in exalting YHWH. This communal dimension prevented royal pride: yes, the king experienced victory, but the entire nation participated in worship, and all glory went to God. This egalitarian element in worship distinguished Israel from surrounding nations where the king often received worship himself. In Israel, only YHWH received shachah (worship/prostration), and even the king bowed before God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you conclude your seasons of answered prayer with intentional worship and doxology?
  2. What does it mean for you practically to exalt God 'in His own strength' rather than taking credit yourself?
  3. How can you incorporate more singing and musical praise into your personal and corporate worship?
  4. In what ways do you need to redirect praise that's coming to you back to God?
  5. How does the pattern of petition-deliverance-praise structure your spiritual life and prayer habits?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
ר֣וּמָה1 of 6

“Be thou exalted”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

יְהוָ֣ה2 of 6

“LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְעֻזֶּ֑ךָ3 of 6

“in thine own strength”

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

נָשִׁ֥ירָה4 of 6

“so will we sing”

H7891

to sing

וּֽ֝נְזַמְּרָה5 of 6

“and praise”

H2167

properly, to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, i.e., play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in so

גְּבוּרָתֶֽךָ׃6 of 6

“thy power”

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 21:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 21:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 16:5-7Revelation 19:1-6Revelation 15:3-4Psalms 113:5Psalms 57:11Matthew 6:10

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