This psalm verse celebrates the unshakable joy found in God’s power and salvation.
David, who reigned as king from about 1010 BC to 970 BC, expresses his joy and reliance on the Lord in the words, “O LORD, in Your strength the king will be glad, And in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice!” (v.1). By referring to “Your strength,” David acknowledges that it is not by his own might that he can be confident, but by the power and sovereignty of God. This echoes the repeated theme in the Psalms that true victory and confidence ultimately come from the Lord rather than human effort. David’s connection to Jerusalem, the ancient capital of Israel, provides the geographical context where he established his throne and worshiped God.
When David proclaims, “And in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice!” (v.1), he is highlighting the fact that divine salvation—often referring to deliverance from enemies or peril—brings great joy and assurance. Throughout Scripture, God’s salvation is consistently portrayed as a cause for celebration, which shapes the worship of Israel and, later, finds its ultimate expression in Jesus Christ (Luke 2:30). By celebrating God’s saving power, David sets an example for all believers to attribute their triumphs and blessings to the Lord’s gracious works rather than personal accomplishment.
This verse also invites us to connect David’s rejoicing with the confidence believers find in the New Testament, where Christians place their trust in the saving work of Jesus (Romans 5:10). David’s heartfelt gratitude points to the depth of salvation, which spans physical deliverance in the Old Testament to the eternal rescue through Christ in the New. In every instance, the strength of the Lord undergirds our reasons to rejoice, reminding us that He alone is the source of lasting security and hope.
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Psalms 21:1 meaning
David, who reigned as king from about 1010 BC to 970 BC, expresses his joy and reliance on the Lord in the words, “O LORD, in Your strength the king will be glad, And in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice!” (v.1). By referring to “Your strength,” David acknowledges that it is not by his own might that he can be confident, but by the power and sovereignty of God. This echoes the repeated theme in the Psalms that true victory and confidence ultimately come from the Lord rather than human effort. David’s connection to Jerusalem, the ancient capital of Israel, provides the geographical context where he established his throne and worshiped God.
When David proclaims, “And in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice!” (v.1), he is highlighting the fact that divine salvation—often referring to deliverance from enemies or peril—brings great joy and assurance. Throughout Scripture, God’s salvation is consistently portrayed as a cause for celebration, which shapes the worship of Israel and, later, finds its ultimate expression in Jesus Christ (Luke 2:30). By celebrating God’s saving power, David sets an example for all believers to attribute their triumphs and blessings to the Lord’s gracious works rather than personal accomplishment.
This verse also invites us to connect David’s rejoicing with the confidence believers find in the New Testament, where Christians place their trust in the saving work of Jesus (Romans 5:10). David’s heartfelt gratitude points to the depth of salvation, which spans physical deliverance in the Old Testament to the eternal rescue through Christ in the New. In every instance, the strength of the Lord undergirds our reasons to rejoice, reminding us that He alone is the source of lasting security and hope.