Psalm 21:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 21:1-6

David here speaks for himself in the first place, professing that his joy was in God's strength and in his salvation, and not in the strength or success of his armies. He also directs his subjects herein to rejoice with him, and to give God all the glory of the victories he had obtained; and all with an eye to Christ, of whose triumphs over the powers of darkness David's victories were but shadows. 1. They here congratulate the king on his joys and concur with him in them Ps. 21:1: ?The king... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 21:1

The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord ,.... Either in that strength which is in Jehovah himself, in whom is everlasting strength; and which is seen in the works of creation and providence, and is the same in Christ himself, as he is the mighty God; or else in the strength which Jehovah communicated to Christ as man, whereby he was strengthened in his human nature to go through and complete the work of man's redemption; or in the strength which the Lord puts forth, and the power which he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 21:1

The king shall joy - משיחא מלך 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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 21:1

Verse 1 1.The king will rejoice in thy strength, O Jehovah! David could have given thanks to God in private for the victories and other signal favors which he had received from him; but it was his intention to testify not only that it was God who elevated him to the throne, but also that whatever blessings God had conferred upon him redounded to the public good, and the advantage of all the faithful. In the beginning of the psalm the believing Israelites express their firm persuasion that God,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:1

The king shall joy . The future is used to give the idea of continuance, "The king rejoices, and will go on rejoicing." In thy strength, O Lord; i.e. in the strength that thou puttest forth to help and protect him (comp. Psalms 20:6 ). And in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice: God' s "salvation" had been confidently anticipated ( Psalms 20:5 , Psalms 20:6 , Psalms 20:9 ), and has now been experienced. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:1-13

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:1-13

A royal thanksgiving for answers to prayer. (For a day of national thanksgiving.) We fail to see, in the structure of this psalm, sufficient indications of its being the counterpart of the preceding one, to lead us to call it a Te Deum , to be sung on returning from battle as victor. It would equally well suit other occasions on which the grateful hearts of king and people desired to render praises in the house of God for mercies received; e.g. Psalms 21:4 : would be equally... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:1-13

Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. This psalm concerns the king. But the question is which king? It may have been David. There is much that might apply to him. Perhaps on his recovery from some sickness, or on his return from some signal victory over his enemies, or on the occasion of his birthday or some great anniversary, David and his people may have rejoiced before the Lord with the voice of joy and praise. But a greater than David is here. If the psalm in part is true... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:1-13

Thanksgiving for prayer answered. Close connection between this and the previous psalm—that a prayer for the king; this a thanksgiving that the prayer has been answered. The people speak to God ( Psalms 21:1-7 ); then ( Psalms 21:8-12 ) they speak to the king; then in Psalms 21:13 they speak again to God. The occasion of the psalm has been disputed. Some think it is a birthday ode; some, a coronation hymn; and others, a thanksgiving for victory in battle. Let us take it first— I. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 21:1

The king shall joy in thy strength - King David, who had achieved the victory which he had desired and prayed for, Psalms 20:1-9. This is in the third person, but the reference is doubtless to David himself, and is to be understood as his own language. If it be understood, however, as the language of “the people,” it is still an ascription of praise to God for his favor to their king. It seems better, however, to regard it as the language of David himself. The word ““strength”” here implies... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 21:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 21:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 21:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 21:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:1-13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 21:1

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