The King Rejoices in God’s Strength: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Psalm 21

✨ Executive Summary

Psalm 21, a royal psalm, overflows with thanksgiving and confidence in God’s unwavering support for the king. This psalm speaks of deliverance, victory, and the enduring blessings bestowed upon the righteous ruler. We, as Coptic Orthodox Christians, understand this psalm not only as a historical testament to the Davidic kingship but also as a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ’s ultimate victory over sin and death. Through a verse-by-verse examination, we will delve into the rich theological tapestry woven within Psalm 21, drawing upon patristic wisdom, historical context, and its profound relevance to our spiritual lives today. This exploration emphasizes that true joy and strength come from unwavering faith and reliance on God.

This psalm, a testament to the power of faith, declares that the king, anointed by God, finds ultimate joy in divine strength. We, as Coptic Orthodox faithful, interpret this not just as a historical record but also as a timeless truth applicable to our lives. Therefore, **The King Rejoices in God’s Strength** becomes our guiding principle. Let’s explore how this ancient song resonates with modern spiritual needs.

📜 Commentary Sections

Psalm 21:1 (KJV) – The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

Psalm 21:1 (NKJV) – The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

The psalm opens with an affirmation of the king’s joy, a joy rooted not in earthly power, but in the strength and salvation provided by God. This sets the tone for the entire psalm. The repetition, “how greatly shall he rejoice!” amplifies the intensity of the king’s gratitude. This isn’t merely a polite acknowledgement, but an overflowing of the heart. It reminds us that true joy is found not in fleeting earthly pleasures, but in the unwavering love and protection of God. This links directly to our baptismal vow, renouncing fleeting worldly pleasures and embracing the joy of salvation. We learn that the joy of faith is a constant source of strength.

Spiritual Application: Cultivate a spirit of gratitude in your daily life. Acknowledge God’s presence and provision in every situation, and allow that awareness to fill you with joy, even amidst trials. Remember, accessing dohhost.us online support services can also provide a different type of strength in challenging times.

Psalm 21:2 (KJV) – Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.

Psalm 21:2 (NKJV) – You have given him his heart’s desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

This verse speaks to the intimacy of the king’s relationship with God. God has granted him his “heart’s desire” and has not refused his requests. The word “Selah” indicates a pause for reflection, a moment to meditate on the profound truth that God answers the prayers of those who trust in Him. However, it is crucial to understand that “heart’s desire” is aligned with God’s will. It is not a blank check for selfish ambition, but a reflection of a heart attuned to God’s purpose. Saint Augustine, in his commentary on the Psalms, reminds us that “our desires must be purified by faith, so that they may be worthy of God’s granting.” (Augustinus, Enarrationes in Psalmos, 20.2). The implication is that true prayer leads to alignment with God’s will and therefore, answered prayers that glorify Him.

Spiritual Application: Examine your own heart’s desires. Are they aligned with God’s will? Pray for discernment and guidance, and trust that God will answer your prayers according to His perfect plan.

Psalm 21:3 (KJV) – For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

Psalm 21:3 (NKJV) – For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.

God “preventeth” (in the archaic language of the KJV, meaning “goes before”) the king with blessings of goodness, anticipating his needs and showering him with favor. The crown of pure gold symbolizes the king’s authority and dignity, bestowed upon him by God. The image of God proactively blessing the king highlights God’s grace, which precedes our efforts and surpasses our expectations. We, as children of God, are likewise crowned with the righteousness of Christ through baptism. This righteousness is not earned but freely given as a gift. The Coptic tradition emphasizes the importance of the *Mystery of Unction*, the anointing with holy oil, symbolizing the sealing of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Application: Recognize and appreciate the blessings that God has already bestowed upon you. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and dependence on His grace.

Psalm 21:4 (KJV) – He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.

Psalm 21:4 (NKJV) – He asked life from You, and You gave it to him— Length of days forever and ever.

The king asked for life, and God granted him “length of days for ever and ever.” This can be interpreted both literally, as a promise of a long and prosperous reign, and figuratively, as a foreshadowing of eternal life through faith in Christ. Christ Himself is the “life” that the king (David, a type of Christ) requested, and through His resurrection, He conquered death and opened the way to eternal life for all believers. The verse can also be viewed in relation to the deuterocanonical Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 3:1-4), which describes the righteous as living forever in the memory of God, even after their physical death.

Spiritual Application: Seek after eternal life by putting your faith in Christ and living according to His teachings. Remember that our earthly lives are temporary, but our souls are eternal.

Psalm 21:5 (KJV) – His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty shalt thou lay upon him.

Psalm 21:5 (NKJV) – His glory is great in Your salvation; Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.

The king’s glory is derived from God’s salvation, not from his own accomplishments. God bestows “honour and majesty” upon him, reinforcing the idea that all authority and power ultimately come from God. This highlights the importance of humility. True leadership is not about self-aggrandizement, but about serving others in accordance with God’s will. St. Athanasius, in *De Incarnatione*, speaks of Christ’s humility in taking on human flesh, emphasizing that true greatness is found in service and sacrifice. “οὐ γὰρ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν ὁ Χριστὸς γενέσθαι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλ’ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν· Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε” (For Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but He who said to Him, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” – Athanasius, *De Incarnatione*, 10).

Spiritual Application: Strive for humility in all your endeavors. Remember that any success or recognition you receive is ultimately a gift from God. Use your gifts and talents to serve others and glorify Him.

Psalm 21:6 (KJV) – For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.

Psalm 21:6 (NKJV) – For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.

The king is “most blessed for ever” because of God’s favor, and he is filled with “exceeding gladness” in God’s presence. This verse points to the ultimate source of joy and fulfillment: a close and intimate relationship with God. The phrase “with thy countenance” suggests a personal and direct connection. It’s the beatific vision, the joyful experience of being in God’s presence. In the Coptic Liturgy, we pray for God to “shine His face upon us,” acknowledging that His presence is the source of all blessings.

Spiritual Application: Seek to cultivate a deeper relationship with God through prayer, scripture study, and participation in the sacraments. Allow His presence to fill your heart with joy and peace.

Psalm 21:7 (KJV) – For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

Psalm 21:7 (NKJV) – For the king trusts in the Lord, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.

The king’s unwavering trust in God is the foundation of his stability. Because he trusts in the Lord, he “shall not be moved.” This speaks to the importance of faith as an anchor in the storms of life. The “mercy of the Most High” is the source of his protection and preservation. St. Cyril of Alexandria, in his commentary on the Psalms, emphasizes that “trust in God is the shield against all adversity” (Cyrillus Alexandrinus, Commentarii in Psalmos, 21.7). He is saying that those who have faith will be immovable in their devotion and steadfastness.

Spiritual Application: Develop unwavering trust in God’s love and faithfulness. When faced with challenges, remember that He is your refuge and strength. Lean on His mercy and know that He will never abandon you.

Psalm 21:8-12 (KJV) – Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men. For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform. Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy face.

Psalm 21:8-12 (NKJV) – Your hand will find all Your enemies; Your right hand will find those who hate You. You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath, And the fire shall devour them. Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth, And their descendants from among the sons of men. For they intended evil against You; They devised a plot which they are not able to perform. Therefore You will make them turn their back; You will prepare Your arrows on Your string toward their faces.

These verses describe God’s judgment upon the king’s enemies. The imagery is vivid and forceful, depicting God’s wrath as a consuming fire. These verses can be challenging to interpret in light of the New Testament teachings on love and forgiveness. However, it’s important to remember that God’s justice is an essential aspect of His character. These verses serve as a reminder that evil will not ultimately triumph. The Fathers saw these verses prophetically pointing to the defeat of spiritual enemies, particularly the devil and his demons. The “fire” is understood as the unquenchable fire of hell, and the destruction of “fruit” and “seed” as the utter defeat of evil and its influence.

Spiritual Application: Trust in God’s justice and know that He will ultimately vindicate the righteous. While we are called to love our enemies, we can also trust that God will deal with evil in His own time and way.

Psalm 21:13 (KJV) – Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.

Psalm 21:13 (NKJV) – Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.

The psalm concludes with a call for God to be exalted in His own strength. The people pledge to “sing and praise” His power, acknowledging that all glory belongs to Him. This final verse emphasizes the ultimate purpose of the psalm: to glorify God and to acknowledge His sovereignty. The act of singing and praising is not merely an emotional expression but a deliberate act of worship, a way of aligning our hearts and minds with God’s will.

Spiritual Application: Make worship a central part of your life. Express your gratitude to God through prayer, singing, and acts of service. Let your life be a testament to His power and glory.

💡 Key Reflections on Psalm 21

Here are some key takeaways and reflections from our study of Psalm 21:

• ✨ **Joy in God’s Strength:** True joy is found not in earthly possessions or achievements, but in the unwavering love and protection of God.
• 📖 **Aligned Desires:** Pray for discernment and guidance to align your heart’s desires with God’s will.
• 🕊️ **Grace Before Effort:** Recognize and appreciate the blessings that God has already bestowed upon you, acknowledging His grace that precedes your efforts.
• 📜 **Eternal Life Focus:** Seek after eternal life by putting your faith in Christ and living according to His teachings, remembering that our earthly lives are temporary.
• 💡 **Humility in Service:** Strive for humility in all your endeavors, using your gifts and talents to serve others and glorify God.
• 🙏 **Trust in His Justice:** Trust in God’s justice and know that He will ultimately vindicate the righteous.

❓ FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Psalm 21:

• Q: How does Psalm 21 relate to Jesus Christ?

  A: Psalm 21 can be interpreted as a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ’s ultimate victory over sin and death. Christ is the ultimate King whose reign is eternal, and His triumph brings salvation to all who believe. It mirrors the glory that God bestowed on the Christ, exceeding that of any human king.

• Q: What does it mean to “trust in the Lord”?

  A: To trust in the Lord means to have unwavering faith in His love, faithfulness, and power. It means to rely on Him in all circumstances, knowing that He will provide for your needs and guide you according to His perfect plan. This trust can be cultivated through prayer, reading the scriptures, and reflecting on God’s blessings.

• Q: How can I apply Psalm 21 to my daily life?

  A: You can apply Psalm 21 by cultivating a spirit of gratitude, seeking God’s guidance in all your decisions, and striving for humility in your interactions with others. Remember that true joy comes from a close relationship with God, and that His strength is available to you in every situation. Make worship, both in church and privately, a regular part of your life.

• Q: Why does the Psalm have such strong language about enemies?

  A: While the language about enemies can be challenging, it reflects the reality of spiritual warfare. We must remember that evil exists, and that God is ultimately just and will deal with it in His own time. These verses remind us to trust in God’s justice and to seek His protection from the forces of darkness.

Conclusion

Psalm 21, **The King Rejoices in God’s Strength**, is a powerful testament to the blessings and protection that God bestows upon those who trust in Him. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we see this psalm not only as a historical account but also as a timeless truth applicable to our lives. This royal psalm resounds even today as it encourages each of us to cultivate unwavering faith, seek alignment with God’s will, and express gratitude for His abundant blessings. By remembering the King’s dependence on God, we are reminded to place our reliance on the Divine, finding true joy and strength in His unwavering love. Let us therefore sing and praise His power, trusting that He will never abandon us and that our ultimate victory is secure in Him.

Tags

Psalm 21, Coptic Orthodox, Theology, Bible Commentary, Patristic, Faith, Joy, Strength, Salvation, King, Divine.

Meta Description

A Coptic Orthodox verse-by-verse commentary on Psalm 21, revealing how **The King Rejoices in God’s Strength** and how this ancient text speaks to our lives today.