Psalms 21 - Introduction

Thanksgiving for victory is the leading motive of this Psalm, which is, as has already been remarked, a companion to Psalms 20. Its occasion need not be looked for in a coronation festival (Psalms 21:3), or a royal birthday (Psalms 21:4). It is quite natural that thanksgiving for victory should lead the poet to speak of the high dignity of the king, and to anticipate his future victories (Psalms 21:8).

The exalted language of Psalms 21:4 has led some interpreters to deny the historical reference of the Psalm, and to regard it as a prophecy of the Messianic King. The Targ. paraphrases kingin Psalms 21:1; Psalms 21:7by king Messiah. Such an interpretation is excluded by the general sense of the Psalm. The language applied to the king is not without parallel in the O.T.; and it is illustrated by expressions in the Assyrian royal Psalms: e.g. "Distant days, everlasting years, a strong weapon, a long life, many days of honour, supremacy among the kings, grant to the king, the lord, who made this offering to his gods" (quoted by Prof. Cheyne). Israel was not uninfluenced by the thoughts and language common to Oriental nations: and if other nations believed that their kings were reflections of the divinity, Israel believed that its king was the representative of Jehovah. Language which startles us by its boldness was used of him: language which was adopted and adapted by the Holy Spirit with a prophetic purpose, and only receives its -fulfilment" in Christ. The Psalm then has a prophetic aspect, and looks forward through the earthly king of whom it spoke in the first instance, to Him who "must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet" (1 Corinthians 15:25).

Hence its selection as one of the Proper Psalms for Ascension Day.

The structure of the Psalm is similar to that of Psalms 20.

i. A thanksgiving on behalf of the king for the victory granted to him: addressed to Jehovah and probably sung by the congregation or the Levites (Psalms 21:1-7).

ii. Anticipation of future triumphs, addressed to the king, and perhaps sung by a priest (Psalms 21:8-12).

iii. Concluding prayer of the congregation (Psalms 21:13).