What is the meaning of Psalm 21?

Psalm 21 is a rich and profound text that celebrates the kingship and divine favor bestowed upon the king by God. To fully appreciate its meaning, it is important to consider the historical and theological context in which it was written. This psalm is traditionally attributed to King David and is often understood as a royal psalm, a category of psalms that focuses on the king, his relationship with God, and his role within the community of Israel.

The psalm opens with a note of thanksgiving and praise: "The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give!" (Psalm 21:1, NIV). This sets the tone for the entire psalm, highlighting the source of the king's strength and joy—God Himself. The psalmist acknowledges that the victories and successes of the king are not due to his own abilities or strategies but are gifts from God. This is a powerful reminder of the divine sovereignty over human affairs, a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament.

The next verses elaborate on the blessings that God has bestowed upon the king: "You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head" (Psalm 21:2-3, NIV). These verses highlight the intimate relationship between the king and God. The king's desires and prayers are aligned with God's will, and as a result, God blesses him abundantly. The imagery of the crown of pure gold symbolizes not only the king's earthly authority but also the divine approval and favor that rest upon him.

In verses 4-6, the psalmist continues to describe the blessings that the king enjoys: "He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—length of days, for ever and ever. Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence" (Psalm 21:4-6, NIV). Here, the psalmist emphasizes the longevity and eternal nature of the king's life and reign. This can be understood both in a literal sense, referring to the king's long life, and in a messianic sense, pointing to the eternal reign of the ultimate King, Jesus Christ.

The concept of splendor and majesty bestowed upon the king is significant. In the ancient Near Eastern context, kings were often seen as representatives of the divine on earth. The glory and majesty of the king were reflections of the divine glory and majesty. This is particularly true in the case of the Davidic kingship, which is seen as a type of the messianic kingship of Jesus Christ. The joy of God's presence is another key theme in these verses. The king's relationship with God is not just one of duty and obligation but one of joy and delight.

Verses 7-12 shift the focus from the blessings of the king to the security and stability of his reign: "For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken. Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed. You will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow" (Psalm 21:7-12, NIV).

These verses highlight the king's trust in God and the resulting stability and security of his reign. The king's trust is not misplaced, for it is grounded in the "unfailing love of the Most High." This phrase underscores the covenantal relationship between God and the king. The unfailing love (Hebrew: "chesed") of God is a central theme in the Old Testament, referring to God's steadfast, loyal, and covenantal love for His people.

The imagery of God's hand laying hold on enemies and consuming them with fire is vivid and powerful. It conveys the idea of divine justice and retribution. The enemies of the king are ultimately the enemies of God, and their defeat is assured. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all forces of evil and opposition.

The final verse of the psalm brings it full circle, returning to a note of praise: "Be exalted in your strength, Lord; we will sing and praise your might" (Psalm 21:13, NIV). The psalmist concludes with a call to worship, acknowledging that all the blessings, victories, and security enjoyed by the king are ultimately the result of God's strength and might. This is a fitting conclusion to a psalm that celebrates the divine favor and kingship.

In summary, Psalm 21 is a powerful expression of thanksgiving and praise for the divine favor and blessings bestowed upon the king. It highlights the intimate relationship between the king and God, the blessings of life, glory, and majesty, and the security and stability of the king's reign. It also underscores the themes of divine sovereignty, covenantal love, and ultimate justice. For Christians, this psalm can be seen as pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment of these themes in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the eternal King who reigns with divine favor and brings ultimate justice and peace.