Click here to read PSALM 21 in poetic form.
Background
This Psalm is one of joy and majesty, for it tells of the Messiah’s crowning as King forever. It has a closing title: “To the chief Musician, upon Aijeleth Shahar.” This Hebrew expression means “dawn of the day.” This could refer to David’s coronation. David was anointed by Samuel, and God’s spirit came upon him (I Samuel 16:3). After many years of enduring suffering and responding with courageous zeal, David was crowned as king (II Samuel 5:1-5) and reigned in Jerusalem over a united kingdom for 33 years.
Similarly, Jesus Christ was anointed with holy spirit and power (Acts 10:38), and after a year of enduring suffering and responding with the greatest courage of all time, he was proven to be King by his resurrection and ascension to God’s right hand (Romans 1:4; 15:12; I Corinthians 15:25; II Timothy 2:12). Philippians 2:9-11 says “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The concept of “dawn of the day” occurs several times in the Psalms, and refers to prayer and praise to God, joy, God’s help, God’s lovingkindness, and destroying the adversary (Psalms 5:3; 30:5; 46:5; 55:17; 59:16; 65:8; 88:13; 90:14; 92:2; 101:8; 130:6; 143:8). It shows the king’s trust in God.
Structure
(Verse 1) The Messiah rejoices in God’s salvation
(Verses 2-6) God crowns and blesses the Messiah forever
(Verses 7-12) Messiah’s trust in God for victory over his enemies
(Verse 13) The Messiah rejoices and praises God for His salvation
Key Scriptures
Verse 2—“Selah.” This means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connects the truths that come before and after the term. The verses before the “Selah” show that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was given all “his heart’s desire” and “the request of his lips.” The verses after the “Selah” show that Jesus Christ’s desire was to do the will of the Father and fulfill God’s plan of salvation.
Verse 4—“length of days for ever and ever.” This Psalm shows that Jesus Christ will reign forever and ever. Compare verse 6 “thou hast made him most blessed for ever” and verse 7 “he shall not be moved.”
Verse 7—“ For the king trusteth in the Lord.” The Messiah’s trust in God is a major theme of the Psalm. Compare verse 1 “joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation”; verse 7 “through the mercy of the most High”; and verse 13 “praise thy power.”
Verse 9—“the fire shall devour them.” Fire is used throughout the Bible to show purification. See the articles “Fired Up for God!” and “Pentecost: Worship, God’s Dwelling, and Fire” for further details. God will bring absolute justice in the future, and all things that are worthless shall be destroyed as if by fire. See Matthew 13:40-42; 49-50; John 15:6; I Corinthians 3:13-15.
Jesus Christ will carry out this “fiery” justice in the future. II Thessalonians 1:7-9 says: “when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” Notice that this punishment is everlasting destruction so that those who “know not God” and who don’t obey the gospel (so that they could be born again) are forever gone and cannot enjoy the blessings of the Lord’s presence, glory, and power. Those who are born again will “ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17). Eventually even Satan will be destroyed as if by fire (Revelation 20:10,14).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
