Psalm 21

 

The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. . . .

For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.

His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.

For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.

For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

In this psalm, like so many others, the image of the king is used to link the earthly rule of one like David with Christ, the King of kings. However much a mortal ruler might have blessings from heaven, it is Jesus to whom the Father will ultimately give “his heart’s desire,” not withholding anything from “the request of his lips.” It is Jesus who personifies the “blessings of goodness” and who at the conclusion of His mortal mission would figuratively have “a crown of pure gold” placed upon His head. It is Jesus upon whom “glory” and “honour” and “majesty” have been placed. Surely it is Jesus who is “most blessed for ever,” and in His devotion and integrity He “shall not be moved” from the truths He embodies and the witness of the Father He has borne.