Psalms – Chapter 21

Old Testament32 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 21 of Psalms begins: "Unto the end, for the morning protection, a psalm for David." The chapter centers on David and Jacob. Across its 32 verses, two threads run through the text: God's protection and deliverance and worship and praise. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Unto the end, for the morning protection, a psalm for David.

2O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.

3O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me.

4But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel.

5In thee have our fathers hoped: they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them.

6They cried to thee, and they were saved: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

7But I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people.

8All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head.

9He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him.

10For thou art he that hast drawn me out of the womb: my hope from the breasts of my mother.

11I was cast upon thee from the womb. From my mother's womb thou art my God,

12Depart not from me. For tribulation is very near: for there is none to help me.

13Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged me.

14They have opened their mouths against me, as a lion ravening and roaring.

15I am poured out like water; and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.

16My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my jaws: and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death.

17For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant hath besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet.

18They have numbered all my bones. And they have looked and stared upon me.

19They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.

20But thou, O Lord, remove not thy help to a distance from me; look towards my defence.

21Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword: my only one from the hand of the dog.

22Save me from the lion's mouth; and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns.

23I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I praise thee.

24Ye that fear the Lord, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him.

25Let all the seed of Israel fear him: because he hath not slighted nor despised the supplication of the poor man. Neither hath he turned away his face from me: and when I cried to him he heard me.

26With thee is my praise in a great church: I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear him.

27The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever.

28All the ends of the earth shall remember, and shall be converted to the Lord: And all the kindreds of the Gentiles shall adore in his sight.

29For the kingdom is the Lord's; and he shall have dominion over the nations.

30All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and have adored: all they that go down to the earth shall fall before him.

31And to him my soul shall live: and my seed shall serve him.

32There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: and the heavens shall shew forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made.

Important Verses in Psalms 21

O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.

Psalms 21:2

He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him.

Psalms 21:9

For the kingdom is the Lord's; and he shall have dominion over the nations.

Psalms 21:29

There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: and the heavens shall shew forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made.

Psalms 21:32

Historical Context

Psalms belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for god's people at prayer in every age. Chapter 21 of 150 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 32 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on David and Jacob, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "Unto the end, for the morning protection, a psalm for David." It concludes: "There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: and the heavens shall shew forth his justice to a people that…" Read against its original backdrop, The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Psalms around Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

The poem's language was meant to be prayed aloud, giving voice to the full range of human experience before the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 2: "O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins." The passage repeatedly touches on God's protection and deliverance.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1988). Here, the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's protection and deliverance as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Psalms 21 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

People in This Chapter

David1 mentionJacob1 mention

Reflection for Today

Psalms Chapter 21, containing 32 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 1700). Here the emphasis falls on courage in witness to the Gospel, which shapes how the Church understands prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God.

As you continue through Psalms, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 21 about?

Psalms 21 contains 32 verses. It opens with "Unto the end, for the morning protection, a psalm for David." and closes with "There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: and the heavens shall shew forth his justice to a people that…". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 21?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 21?

This chapter mentions David, Jacob.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

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