Thanksgiving for victory is the leading motive of this Psalm, which is, as has already been remarked, a companion to Psalms 20. Its occasion need not be looked for in a coronation festival (Psalms 21:3), or a royal birthday (Psalms 21:4). It is quite natural that thanksgiving for victory should lead... [ Continue Reading ]
The prayers of Psalms 20 have been answered. The victory is won, and the king rejoices. He has trusted in Jehovah, and now the ground of his rejoicing is the strength which Jehovah has put forth on his behalf, the deliverance which Jehovah has wrought for him. Cp. Psalms 9:14; Exodus 15:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
The people's thanksgiving for Jehovah's favour to their king.... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse refers chiefly, but not exclusively, to the prayers for the success of the expedition referred to in Psalms 20:3-5.... [ Continue Reading ]
_thou preventest him_&c. For _prevent_, see note on Psalms 18:18. Jehovah, as it were, _goes to meet_the king and bless him with success (_goodness_= good things, Proverbs 24:25): and once more crowns him king. The victory is a Divine confirmation of his sovereignty (1 Samuel 11:13 ff.). There may p... [ Continue Reading ]
_He asked … thou gavest_ Cp. Psalms 2:8. Long life was one of Jehovah's special blessings under the old covenant. It was a natural object of desire when the hope of a future life was all but a blank. See Exo 23:26; 1 Kings 3:11; Proverbs 3:2. But how can _length of days for ever and ever_be said of... [ Continue Reading ]
Glory, honour, majesty, are Divine attributes (Psalms 8:1; Psalms 8:5; Psalms 104:1); and the victorious king shines with a reflection of them. _hast thou laid_ Rather as R.V., dost thou lay. Cp. Psalms 89:19 for the same word used of Divine endowment.... [ Continue Reading ]
R.V. For thou makest him most blessed for ever: Thou makest him glad with joy in thy presence. Lit. _thou makest him blessings_, the possessor and the medium of blessing. Cp. Genesis 12:2. The victory is a pledge of Divine favour and fellowship, an evidence that the king walks in the light of Jeho... [ Continue Reading ]
The grounds of this blessing: on the king's side, trust; on God's side, lovingkindness (Psalms 18:50). This verse forms the transition to the second division of the Psalm.... [ Continue Reading ]
_shall find out_ Reach them and get them into thy power (1 Samuel 23:17).... [ Continue Reading ]
The king, who must be supposed to be present, is now addressed. This victory is an earnest of future victories. The total destruction of all his enemies is confidently anticipated.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven_ R.V., as a fiery furnace. The comparison is condensed, and inexact in form; but the sense is clear: thou wilt consume them as fuel in a furnace. The phrase is figurative (Malachi 4:1): yet there may be an allusion to the terrible vengeance inflicted on the Amm... [ Continue Reading ]
Even their posterity shall be utterly destroyed. Cp. Psalms 9:5; Psalms 37:28. _Fruit_= children, -the fruit of the womb" (Lamentations 2:20).... [ Continue Reading ]
Though they threaten thee with evil, Though they devise a mischievous plan, they shall avail naught, For thou shalt make them turn their backs, Aiming with thy bowstrings against their faces.... [ Continue Reading ]
The congregation's concluding prayer (as in Psalms 20:9), returning to the thought of Psalms 21:1. Jehovah is exalted when He manifests His strength (Psalms 7:6; Psalms 46:10; Psalms 57:5; Psalms 57:11). R.V., in thy strength, for _in thine own strength_. _thy power_ Thy might, made known in mighty... [ Continue Reading ]