Psalms 21:1

A thanksgiving for victory. Confidence of further success.

To the chief musician, A Psalm of David.

Title.— לדוד מזמור למנצח lamnatseach mizmor ledavid. Dr. Delanely is of opinion, that this psalm was composed by David in a transport of joy and thanksgiving after his conquest of Rabbah, and triumph over the Ammonites. It is of the same kind with the preceding. The two first verses seem to be spoken upon seeing the sacrifice promise well; the five next express the continued series of divine favour to the king, and from thence the priest promises him success against his enemies. The last is an address to God. The psalm is generally thought, even by the Jews themselves, to have a relation to Christ; and indeed there are some things in it which are more literally fulfilled in Christ than in David. See Psalms 21:4. We shall, therefore, in the following notes, consider it particularly as relating to Christ.

Psalms 21:1. The king— Though, by the king, we may here understand king David, who composed this psalm, yet it may be much better explained of the king Messiah. In thy strength, means in the divine power, which was manifested in the resurrection of Christ, and in the establishment of his gospel.