Psalms 21 - Introduction

This psalm likewise purports to be “A Psalm of David,” and there is no cause to doubt the correctness of the superscription which ascribes it to him. There is, however, no certain intimation at what time of his life, or on what occasion, it was composed, and it is impossible to determine these points.

The most probable supposition in regard to its composition seems to me to be, that it is a song of thanksgiving for the victory secured in answer to the prayer of himself and the people in the previous psalm. Nothing can be argued, indeed, on this point, from the mere fact that it stands in close connection with the previous psalm; but there are, it seems to me, internal marks that this was its design, and that it is the expression of a heart overflowing with gratitude, and, therefore, recalling not merely the immediate blessings of a recent victory, but also the other blessings with which God had crowned his life, Psalms 21:3.

Thus understood in regard to its origin, the psalm may be regarded as divided into the following parts:

I. Thanksgiving for success, or for granting the object which had been so earnestly sought, Psalms 21:1. In this thanksgiving the psalmist says that God had not only granted what had been asked Psalms 21:1, but that he had greatly “exceeded” this: he had granted far more than had been the literal request. He had added blessings which had not been specifically sought; he had made those blessings permanent and eternal, Psalms 21:4.

II. The general truth that “all” the foes of God would thus be overcome, and that the cause of truth would be finally triumphant, Psalms 21:8. This was “suggested” by the victory which had been achieved. As God had granted that victory, as he had so easily subdued the enemies of himself and of his people - as he had gone so far beyond the expectations and the hopes of those who had gone forth to the conflict, the idea is naturally suggested that it would be thus with all his foes, and that there would be ultimately a complete victory over them.

III. The expression of an earnest “desire” that God might be thus exalted, and might thus achieve a complete and final victory, Psalms 21:13,

For the meaning of the phrase, “To the chief Musician,” in the title to the psalm, see the notes at Psalms 4:1.