Be Exalted, O Lord

Scripture: Psalm 21:13 (ESV)

“Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.”

Biblical Context

Who wrote it:

Psalm 21 is attributed to King David. He wrote it as a song of praise and thanksgiving after experiencing God's deliverance, likely following a military victory. It is a royal psalm, celebrating both God’s strength and the king’s triumph through divine power.

To whom it was written:

This psalm was directed to the Lord in worship but intended for communal singing among the people of Israel. It reflects the gratitude of a nation for God’s intervention on behalf of their king and, by extension, the entire people.

What’s happening in this verse:

Psalm 21 closes with a strong declaration of praise. After recounting how God had granted victory, answered prayers, and established strength for the king, verse 13 calls everyone to lift God high in response. The people recognize that God's strength—not their own—deserves exaltation, and their response is worship. It’s a communal cry: “We will sing and praise Your power.”

L.I.G.H.T.E.R. Method

LORD

This verse reveals God as powerful, victorious, and worthy of praise. He is the source of all strength. His might is not hidden or passive—it’s active and exalted. God is not only strong; He is strength itself. He lifts kings and nations by His will. He is not a background figure in our lives—He is the hero.

INWARD

Psalm 21:13 causes us to reflect on whether we truly exalt God's strength in our lives. Do we acknowledge His power in our victories? Or do we take credit for our accomplishments? The verse calls us to humility. It exposes our tendency to forget who the real source of strength is and invites us to sing rather than boast.

GOSPEL

This verse connects to the gospel by showing that worship is the right response to God’s saving work. Just as David rejoiced in God’s strength for victory, we rejoice in Jesus—our victorious King. God’s greatest act of strength was raising Christ from the dead. Now, we sing and praise the power that saves us not only in battle but from sin and death.

HOPE

This verse fills us with hope by reminding us that God’s strength is not just for the past—it’s ongoing and unchanging. If God was strong then, He is strong now. No matter what battles lie ahead, we can trust in a God whose strength never fails. The praise in this verse becomes our anchor for future storms.

TAKEAWAY

God’s strength deserves continual exaltation. We must never stop singing about His power—whether we are in seasons of victory or struggle. This verse invites us to redirect our worship away from ourselves and back to God, who truly deserves all the glory.

EQUIP

Psalm 21:13 equips us with perspective. It shows us how to respond to answered prayers, to protection, and to God’s faithfulness: with loud, intentional praise. When we exalt God publicly, we strengthen others’ faith. Our praise becomes a weapon and a witness.

S.P.E.A.R. Method

SIN

The sin exposed here is pride—taking credit for what God has done. Failing to exalt Him in His strength is a form of spiritual self-centeredness. It may also reveal a worship deficiency: we praise when it benefits us, but fall silent when it doesn’t.

PROMISE

There is an implicit promise here: God is strong and present. He will continue to display His power in ways that cause His people to sing. His strength doesn’t fade with time, nor is it dependent on human help. He is eternally exalted.

ENCOURAGEMENT

This verse encourages us to shift our focus upward. God is still worthy of worship, even when we don’t feel victorious. We can trust that His power is real, His goodness unmatched, and His presence near. Singing through trials helps us experience His strength afresh.

ACTION

God calls us to exalt Him and actively praise His strength. Worship is not passive—it’s a declaration. We are to lift our voices, acknowledge His might, and turn every moment of triumph or trouble into an opportunity to glorify Him.

R.E.P.A.I.R. Method

REPLACE

Replace the lie that your success is self-made with the truth that all strength comes from the Lord. Replace silence with praise. Replace self-exaltation with God-exaltation. This verse is a mirror: who are you lifting up today?

EXAMPLE

David gives us an example of a king who didn’t hoard glory for himself. Even after victory, he turned the spotlight to God. He didn’t boast in military strength but in divine strength. He sets a model for leaders and believers alike.

PRAYER

This verse leads us to a posture of praise. “Lord, You are strong and mighty. Let my lips never be silent when it comes to Your greatness. Teach me to praise You both in triumph and trial.”

ASSIGNMENT

Our assignment is clear: sing and exalt God. Whether you're on a mountaintop or in a valley, use your voice to declare His power. Praise isn't based on how we feel—it's based on who He is.

INSPIRE

This verse inspires bold praise. It’s not timid worship—it’s a shout of joy in God’s power. When we remember what God has done, we can’t help but sing. Our lives should be songs of exaltation, echoing the strength of our King.

L.A.R.G.E.R. Method

LIE

The lie exposed is that we are strong enough on our own. Culture often praises self-made success, but Psalm 21:13 pulls the curtain back and shows us the real source: the Lord’s strength. He alone deserves the credit.

ASSIGNMENT

Your assignment is to glorify God out loud. Don’t just feel gratitude—express it. Sing of His power. Speak of His victories. Tell others where your strength truly comes from. Your worship could strengthen someone else's weak faith.

REPLACE

Replace self-promotion with God-promotion. Replace complaints with songs. Replace fear with worship. When we exalt God, fear fades and perspective returns.

GOSPEL

This verse reflects the heartbeat of the gospel: we are saved not by our works but by God’s power. Just as David praised God’s strength for earthly deliverance, we now praise Him for eternal salvation through Christ, our victorious King.

EXALT

Psalm 21:13 is a crescendo of praise. It places God where He belongs—high above. It calls believers to lift their voices, not because of who they are, but because of who He is. To exalt God is to rightly order our hearts and our lives.

Prayer

God, I exalt You today in Your strength. You are powerful, faithful, and always victorious. Forgive me when I take credit for what only You could have done. Help me lift up Your name with every breath. Whether I’m walking in victory or pressing through trial, let my song be praise. Let my life point others to Your unmatched power. You deserve all the glory, now and forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.

How will you respond??