Psalm 21:1-6

The King Rejoices in the Lord’s Strength

1 O Lord, in your ¹strength the king rejoices, and in your ²salvation how greatly he exults!

2 You have ³given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

3 For you ⁴meet him with rich blessings; you set ⁵a crown of ⁶fine gold upon his head.

4 He asked life of you; you ⁷gave it to him, ⁸length of days forever and ever.

5 His ⁹glory is great through your salvation; ¹⁰splendor and majesty you bestow on him.

6 For you make him most blessed forever; ^[a] you make him glad with the ¹¹joy of your presence.

Psalm 21:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. This psalm was either written by David; and therefore called a "psalm of David"; or it was written, as it may be rendered, "for David," by some other person, on account of his victories and triumphs; or rather "concerning David" {s}; that is, concerning the Messiah, the son of David, as Kimchi says some expound it; or concerning the Messiah, who is called David, Ezekiel 37:24; and Jarchi observes, that their Rabbins interpret it of the Messiah; but, says he, it is right to explain it, moreover, of David himself, for an answer to the heretics (Christians) who err in it; and various passages in this psalm are by the Jewish writers understood of the Messiah; as "the King," in Psalm 20:1 is in the Targum called the King Messiah; Psalm 21:4 is in the Talmud applied {t} to him; Psalm 21:3 are in Zohar {u}, and in the Midrashes {w}, interpreted of him; and many Christian writers understand the whole of him; which is right: though Theodoret thinks it was penned on the account of the health of King Hezekiah, and his restoration from his disease; which is not likely.

{s} dwdl "pro Davide, vel de Davide," Vatablus. {t} T. Bab. Succah, fol. 52. 1. Vid. Nachman. disput. "cum fratre Paulo," p. 36. Ed. Wagenseil. {u} In Numb. fol. 68. 3. 4. {w} Midrash Tillim apud Viccars. in loc. & in Galatin. l. 3. c. 9. Bemidbar Rabba, fol. 212. 4. & 218. 1.

Cross References

• 1. 21:1 Ps. 8:2; 28:7, 8
• 2. 21:1 Ps. 9:14
• 3. 21:2 Ps. 20:4, 5
• 4. 21:3 Ps. 59:10
• 5. 21:3 [2 Sam. 12:30; 1 Chr. 20:2]
• 6. 21:3 Ps. 19:10
• 7. 21:4 Ps. 61:6; [2 Sam. 7:19]
• 8. 21:4 Ps. 91:16; [1 Kgs. 1:31; Neh. 2:3]
• 9. 21:5 Ps. 8:5
• 10. 21:5 Ps. 45:3; 96:6
• 11. 21:6 Ps. 45:7; See Ps. 16:11

Footnotes

• [a] 21:6 Or 'make him a source of blessing forever'