Where do you place your faith? This is the real question that divides Americans. Some of us look to the government to ensure prosperity and equity for all. Others tend to trust in the private sector, in individual citizens’ efforts to produce and innovate. But in Psalm 21, David challenges all of us to look in a different direction.

For remember – because he was the King of Israel, he was personally responsible for executing and applying the Law. In a very real sense, he was the government. Moreover, he had had more than his share of individual successes: as a shepherd protecting his flock, as a soldier leading his armies, and as a diplomat forming alliances with foreign powers. If anyone had reason to trust in his own abilities, it was David.

But instead, David set his gaze on God, looking to the Lord alone for all the things which we crave: wealth (verse 3), health (verse 4), and fame (verse 5). In fact, David trusted God to make it possible for him to perform the basic function of every king – to protect his people by destroying their enemies (verses 7-11). In fact, David went so far as to expect God to do his job for him: making his enemies turn back by defeating them in battle (verse 12).

So, I suppose we Americans can go on looking to ourselves or to our government to solve all our problems – and that means we can remain at each other’s throats. But if we’ll trust in God’s strength and if we’ll seek God’s salvation, we’ll be able to be glad and rejoice, just as David did (verse 1). For it is the Lord alone whose strength and power is worthy of praise (verse 13).

Psalm 21 (NASB)

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
O Lord, in Thy strength the king will be glad, And in Thy salvation how greatly he will rejoice!
2 Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, And Thou hast not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
3 For Thou dost meet him with the blessings of good things; Thou dost set a crown of fine gold on his head.
4 He asked life of Thee, Thou didst give it to him, Length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great through Thy salvation, Splendor and majesty Thou dost place upon him.
6 For Thou dost make him most blessed forever; Thou dost make him joyful with gladness in Thy presence.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD, And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken.
8 Your hand will find out all your enemies; Your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9 You will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger; The LORD will swallow them up in His wrath, And fire will devour them.
10 Their offspring Thou wilt destroy from the earth, And their descendants from among the sons of men.
11 Though they intended evil against Thee, And devised a plot, They will not succeed.
12 For Thou wilt make them turn their back; Thou wilt aim with Thy bowstrings at their faces.
13 Be Thou exalted, O LORD, in Thy strength; We will sing and praise Thy power.