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PSA 21:1
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PSA 21:3
Psalms 21:3. For thou preventest him— The word in the original signifies to encompass. The rendering of Castalio is fully expressive of the sense; Thou hast bestowed most eminent favours on him. By the crown of pure gold, may be meant, in general, an illustrious crown; which is here represented as being set upon our blessed Saviour's head at his exaltation into heaven, in token of his being then advanced to the chief exercise of his regal authority. Thus he is said, Psa 8:5 to be crowned with glory and honour; and St. John says, with respect to his deified humanity, in which he was made King of Kings and Lord of Lords, that on his head were many crowns. Revelation 12:16.
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PSA 21:4
Psalms 21:4. He asked life— New life from the dead; his resurrection; the same that is meant by his heart's desire, Psalms 21:2. Isaiah says, When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall prolong his days. Length of days for ever and ever, is an expression which, however some understand of David and his successors on the throne, can with no degree of propriety belong to him or to them, but as referring to that king for ever, who was of the lineage of David, and of whose kingdom there shall be no end. See Luke 1:32-33.
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PSA 21:6
Psalms 21:6. Thou hast made him most blessed for ever— According to the original, Thou hast set him to be blessings for ever; i.e. to be the author of all felicity and blessedness to his subjects and servants. See Galatians 3:8. In conformity to the next clause, Thou hast made him glad, &c. Jesus Christ says of himself, My heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; in thy presence is the fulness of joy, &c. Psalms 9:11. And thus the Psalmist says of him: Thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Psalms 45:7.
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PSA 21:8
Psalms 21:8. Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies— Thus Psalms 2:9. Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of iron, &c. The menaces that are described in this and the following verses particularly relate to the unbelieving Jews. Compare Malachi 4:1.Psalms 2:2-4; Psalms 2:2-4; Psalms 109:13-15.
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PSA 21:11
Psalms 21:11. A mischievous device, which, &c.— A mischievous device, but prevailed not. Houbigant. Dr. Delaney is of opinion, that these words refer more especially in their primary sense to the Ammonites, and those cruelties which they intended to inflict upon David and his people, but which were retaliated upon their own heads. See Life of David, vol. 2: p. 118.
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Psalms 21:0.
A thanksgiving for victory. Confidence of further success.
To the chief musician, A Psalm of David.
Title.— לדוד מזמור למנצח lamnatseach mizmor ledavid. Dr. Delanely is of opinion, that this psalm was composed by David in a transport of joy and thanksgiving after his conquest of Rabbah, and triumph over the Ammonites. It is of the same kind with the preceding. The two first verses seem to be spoken upon seeing the sacrifice promise well; the five next express the continued series of divine favour to the king, and from thence the priest promises him success against his enemies. The last is an address to God. The psalm is generally thought, even by the Jews themselves, to have a relation to Christ; and indeed there are some things in it which are more literally fulfilled in Christ than in David. See Psalms 21:4-6. We shall, therefore, in the following notes, consider it particularly as relating to Christ.
Psalms 21:1. The king— Though, by the king, we may here understand king David, who composed this psalm, yet it may be much better explained of the king Messiah. In thy strength, means in the divine power, which was manifested in the resurrection of Christ, and in the establishment of his gospel.
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