Psalm 21
The contents of this psalm tells us that it looks far beyond David to great David’s greater Son. Psalm 21 belongs to that class of psalms we call “Messianic.” Both the Targum, which is the Chaldean paraphrase of the Old Testament, and the Talmud, which is the collection of ancient rabbinic writings on Jewish law and tradition teach that the king mentioned in this psalm is the Messiah. The theme is the ascension of Christ, but it also speaks of God’s judgment upon those who reject Him and His joy over His saved ones. It will show Him as the King of heaven, and picture His coming reign as the King on the earth. This psalm was undoubtedly used in temple worship. It was probably the praise psalm David and his people sang after the victories prayed for in Psalm 20 as they celebrated a day of national thanksgiving. They had prayed for specific blessings and God had granted them. The hymn opens and closes with praise for God’s strength granted to His king and the army (vs. 1, 13).
Since it is a Messianic psalm, it looks forward to the day when the Lord Jesus will return, put down all His foes, cause every knee to bow, and wear the diadem (crown) of the world empire, swaying His scepter from the river to the ends of the earth.
Psalms 21:1 O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give!
Although David is speaking of his personal experience, the primary reference is to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Referring to himself in the third person, David expresses his joy in the victories—the king shall joy in thy strength. He praised God for giving him the desire of his heart (v. 2). In Hebrews 12:2, it is said of the Lord, “. . . who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” He has ascended into heaven, and— “Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven.”
Psalms 21:2 You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. selah
The people and their king address the Lord and thank Him for what He did for them in answer to their prayers. David had prayed that his life be spared (v. 4), and the Lord answered him, which this verse clearly shows. This blessing was part of God’s covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7:16: “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”
When the Lord Jesus was here on earth, He prayed this to the Father: “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” (John 17:24).
This prayer will be answered in the future when we are with Him. He came to earth to make this possible. His Father has not refused any prayer issued from His lips.
Today, we know how gloriously Jesus triumphed on the cross. “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15). Jesus went into death in seeming weakness and defeat. But He went committing His Spirit to God, confident that all His foes were vanquished. He proclaimed it in His departing cry, “It is finished.” So then, the secret of the Kings strength is disclosed.
When we see the word “Selah” we should pause to carefully weigh the meaning of what we have just read or heard, lifting up our hearts in praise to God for His great truths.
PRAY
Father, I praise your name above all names! God, I thank you for the work and power you do in my life. Lord, you alone are God and I worship you in this moment.