In Your Strength The King Rejoices
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
You have given him his heart's desire ...
He asked you for life; you gave it to him --
length of days forever and ever ...
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
You bestow on him blessings forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
-- Psalm 21:2a, 4, 5b, 6
Theme: Thanksgiving for victory
Outline
Liturgy
1-7 -- Thanks to God for victory for the king (by congregation or Levites?).
8-12 -- To the king, future triumphs anticipated (by the priest?).
13 -- Concluding praise to God from the congregation.
Notes
• Royal Messianic
• This psalm follows Psalm 20, with thanks for victory following the battle.
• "Language which startles us by its boldness ... was adopted and adapted by the Holy Spirit with a prophetic purpose, and only receives its 'fulfillment' in Christ."1
For Reflection
• What is the secret of the king's joy?
Prayer
All praise to you, O God, for you exalted Jesus and gave him glory. We praise you for giving us rich blessings and royal dignity through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
____________
1. A.F. Kirkpatrick, The Psalms (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1957), p. 110.
He asked you for life; you gave it to him --
length of days forever and ever ...
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
You bestow on him blessings forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
-- Psalm 21:2a, 4, 5b, 6
Theme: Thanksgiving for victory
Outline
Liturgy
1-7 -- Thanks to God for victory for the king (by congregation or Levites?).
8-12 -- To the king, future triumphs anticipated (by the priest?).
13 -- Concluding praise to God from the congregation.
Notes
• Royal Messianic
• This psalm follows Psalm 20, with thanks for victory following the battle.
• "Language which startles us by its boldness ... was adopted and adapted by the Holy Spirit with a prophetic purpose, and only receives its 'fulfillment' in Christ."1
For Reflection
• What is the secret of the king's joy?
Prayer
All praise to you, O God, for you exalted Jesus and gave him glory. We praise you for giving us rich blessings and royal dignity through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
____________
1. A.F. Kirkpatrick, The Psalms (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1957), p. 110.