A Random, Incomplete, Non-Devotional Thought about Psalm 21

As I read Psalm 21 today, I immediately noticed that it was a Psalm written to celebrate the king of Israel and his reign.  Of course, it is not only the king with a small k who is celebrated but also the King with the big K.  The Psalm worship and celebrates Jehovah for the blessing and reward He has given to Israel's monarch.

It is interesting that this Psalm was written by David.  David, of course, spent 40 years as Israel's King.  At first blush, this Psalm seems a little self aggrandizing.  Could David have written a song celebrating himself?  As I thought about that, I would have to say probably not.  This means there are two possibilities about who it was written for.  The first possibility is that David used to sing this song for Saul.  Remember that David used to play his harp for Saul to calm his demonic fits.  Could this song celebrating the king be one that David sang for the man who would become his enemy?  A second possibility is that David wrote this song for his son.  Perhaps this song was intended to be sung to Solomon when he became king so that he would be reminded that his strength was found in the Lord's blessing. 

I don't know who the song was in fact written for, but I do know the One in whom this Psalm found its ultimate expression: Jesus.  Read verses 1-7 again, thinking about their application to Christ

O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!
² You have granted him the desire of his heart
and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
³ You welcomed him with rich blessings
and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
⁴ He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
length of days, for ever and ever.
⁵ Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
⁶ Surely you have granted him eternal blessings
and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
⁷ For the king trusts in the Lord;
through the unfailing love of the Most High
he will not be shaken (NIV, 1984).

 

As we think of how those words apply to Christ, surely we can echo the words of verse 13: "Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might."