Psalms 21:1-13 - Homilies By C. Short

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. AS A BIRTHDAY ODE . "He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever."

1 . This notwithstanding his sin. Which was thought in the Hebrew mind to forfeit length of days. His long life, therefore, was a special act of God' s salvation ( Psalms 21:1 , Psalms 21:4 , Psalms 21:6 ).

2 . His long life had been made a prosperous one. ( Psalms 21:2 .) His heart' s desire had been granted him. How few can say this of a long life! How few feel that they have grasped the greatest good in life!

II. A CORONATION HYMN . ( Psalms 21:3 , Psalms 21:5 .) "Thou forestallest, or surprisest him with choicest blessings; thou settest a crown of gold upon his head." "Honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him."

1 . This highest earthly honour was to represent God. He was God' s vicegerent to the nation. The Lord' s anointed, who stood on earth for God in heaven; the image of the invisible King. This ought to be the idea still of all the highest earthly offices—king, statesman, teacher.

2 . But the grandest crown is that of supreme moral influence. That is Christ' s crown; he is King of men, not by physical force, but by spiritual power. And this is our brightest crown when we can influence men supremely for their good.

III. THANKSGIVING FOR VICTORY IN BATTLE . ( Psalms 21:8-12 .) This may be the bearing of the whole strain of the psalm. Then from his previous victories it is prophesied in the eighth and following verses that he shall gain the victory in all future battles.

1 . Trust in God is the source of all our strength in our conflicts. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith—not a passive, but an active faith.

2 . Former victories show us that we can , if we will , conquer in all future conflicts. By taking unto us "the whole armour of God."—S.