Psalms 21:1

PSALM XXI

The psalmist returns thanks to God for giving him the victory

over his enemies; which victory he had earnestly requested,

1, 2.

He enters into a detail of the blessings that in consequent of

the victory he had obtained, 3-7.

He predicts the destruction of all those who may hereafter rise

up against him, 8-12;

and concludes with praising the power of Jehovah, 13.

NOTES ON PSALM XXI

In the title of this Psalm there is nothing particularly worthy of remark. The occasion of it is variously understood. Some think it was composed to celebrate the victory obtained over Sennacherib; others, that it was made on the recovery of Hezekiah, and the grant of fifteen years of longer life; see Psalms 21:4. Others and they with most appearance of propriety consider it a song of rejoicing composed by David for his victory over the Ammonites, which ended in the capture of the royal city of Rabbah, the crown of whose king David put on his own head, see Psalms 21:3, and to procure which victory David offered the prayers and sacrifices mentioned in the preceding Psalm. Lastly, many think that it is to be wholly referred to the victories of the Messiah; and it must be owned that there are several expressions in it which apply better to our Lord than to David, or to any other person; and to him the Targum applies it, as does likewise my old Anglo-Scottish Psalter in paraphrasing the text.

Verse Psalms 21:1. The king shall joy] מלך משיחא melech Meshicha, "the King Messiah." - Targum. What a difference between ancient and modern heroes! The former acknowledged all to be of God, because they took care to have their quarrel rightly founded; the latter sing a Te Deum, pro forma, because they well know that their battle is not of the Lord. Their own vicious conduct sufficiently proves that they looked no higher than the arm of human strength. God suffers such for a time, but in the end he confounds and brings them to naught.