Psalm 21:4

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 21:4

He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him ,.... Both for himself, as man, when he was about to die, that he might be raised to life again, which was granted him; and for his people, that they might live spiritually and eternally, and accordingly life is given to him for them; and he has power to give it to as many as the Father has given him, John 17:2 ; even length of days for ever and ever ; the life he has for himself as man is what will ever continue; he will die no more,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 21:4

He asked life of thee - This verse has caused some interpreters to understand the Psalm of Hezekiah's sickness, recovery, and the promised addition to his life of fifteen years; but it may be more literally understood of the Messiah, of whom David was the type, and in several respects the representative. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 21:4

Verse 4 4.He asked life from thee. This verse confirms what I have formerly said, that this psalm is not to be limited to the person of any one man. David’s life, it is true, was prolonged to an advanced period, so that, when he departed from this world, he was an old man, and full of days; but the course of his life was too short to be compared to this length of days, which is said to consist of many ages. Even if we reckon the time from the commencement of David’s reign to the captivity of... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:4

He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. The "life" intended cannot be ordinary human life, since in David' s case this certainly did not continue "for ever and ever." We must understand the psalmist to have asked for continuance in his posterity , and this was guaranteed him in the message which God sent him by Nathan ( 2 Samuel 7:13 , 2 Samuel 7:16 ). In the full sense the promise was, of course, Messianic, being fulfilled only in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 21:4

Prayer. What is true of Christ is true, in a sense, of his people. Here we learn— I. THE TRUE NATURE OF PRAYER . It is the desire of the heart ( Psalms 21:2 ). This is frequently taught by doctrine and fact in Holy Scripture. Words are of the mouth, thoughts are of the heart. "Words without thoughts never to heaven go." It is asking of God for things agreeable to his will. While there is real "asking," there is also loving trust and acquiescence. God' s will is aye the... read more

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