Psalm 21:2-12

2 You have given him what his heart longed for. You haven't kept back from him what his lips asked for. "Selah"

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

4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him. You promised him days that would never end.

5 His glory is great because you helped him win his battles. You have honored him with glory and majesty.

6 You have given him blessings that will last forever. You have made him glad and joyful because you are with him.

7 The king trusts in the Lord. The faithful love of the Most High God will keep the king secure.

8 You, the king, will capture all of your enemies. Your right hand will take hold of them.

9 When you appear, you will be like a flaming furnace to them. The LORD will swallow them up in his anger. His fire will burn them up.

10 You will wipe their children from the face of the earth. You will remove them from the human race.

11 Your enemies make evil plans against you. They think up evil things to do. But they can't succeed.

12 You will make them turn their backs and run away when you aim your arrows at them.

Psalm 21:2-12 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.