Psalms 21 in the early church

31 passages quote, allude to, or echo Psalms 21, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13

Psalms 21:1

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, the king rejoices in Your strength. How greatly he exults in Your salvation!

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:1 (20:2 LXX)Prophetic Extracts 2.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Ps 21:1 (20:1 LXX)Letter to Marcellinus 26 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceuncertain, after 335
Ps 21:1–13 (20:1-Ps LXX)Psalm 20 · Apollinaris of Laodiceaquotation, high confidenceuncertain (fourth to sixth century)

Psalms 21:2

You have granted his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:2 (20:3 LXX)PG 12:1249 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 21:2 (20:3 Vulg.)Letters 21.6 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413

Psalms 21:3

For You welcomed him with rich blessings; You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:3 (20:4 LXX)The Instructor 2.8.61 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 190–200
Ps 21:3 (20:4 LXX)PG 12:1249 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 21:3 (20:4 LXX)Homily 7 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394
Ps 21:3 (20:4 LXX)Homily 13 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394
Ps 21:3 (20:4 Vulg.)Letters 21.6 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Ps 21:3 (20:4 Vulg.)Letters 23.6 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 394–413
Ps 21:3 (20:4 Vulg.)Letters 42.1 · Paulinus of Nolaquotation, high confidenceca. 394–413
Ps 21:3 (20:4 LXX)Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 2.21 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 420–421

Psalms 21:4

He asked You for life, and You granted it—length of days, forever and ever.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:4 (20:5 LXX)Against Heresies 2.34.3 · Irenaeus of Lyonsquotation, high confidenceca. 180–190
Ps 21:4 (20:5 LXX)PG 12:1249 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 21:4 (20:5 LXX)Church History 5.2.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaecho, medium confidenceca. 300–325
Ps 21:4 (20:5 LXX)Prophetic Extracts 2.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Ps 21:4 (20:5 Vulg.)Part 2, chapter 27 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Psalms 21:5

Great is his glory in Your salvation; You bestow on him splendor and majesty.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:5 (20:6 LXX)PG 12:1249 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 21:5 (20:6 LXX)On the Holy Spirit 24.55 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, low confidenceca. 374–375

Psalms 21:8

Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:8 (20:9 LXX)PG 12:1249 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 21:8 (20:9 LXX)PG 12:1251 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254

Psalms 21:9

You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of Your appearing. In His wrath the LORD will engulf them, and the fire will consume them.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:9 (20:10 LXX)PG 12:1251 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Psalms 21:10

You will wipe their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from the sons of men.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:10 (20:11 LXX)PG 12:1251 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254

Psalms 21:11

Though they intend You harm, the schemes they devise will not prevail.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:11 (20:12 LXX)PG 12:1193 (Ps 9 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 21:11 (20:12 LXX)PG 12:1251 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 21:11 (20:12 LXX)Sermon 44.7 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430

Psalms 21:12

For You will put them to flight when Your bow is trained upon them.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:12 (20:13 LXX)PG 12:1251 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 21:12 (20:13 LXX)On Joseph 9 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-390

Psalms 21:13

Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Ps 21:13 (20:14 LXX)PG 12:1251 (Ps 20 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Ps 21:13 (20:14 LXX)PG 12:1253 (Ps 20–21 LXX) · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254