God alone is the source of honor and blessings for those who trust in Him.
David, Israel’s king from about 1010 BC to 970 BC, celebrates the LORD’s sovereignty and provision in Psalm 21, crediting God as the source of every benefit the king enjoys. He exalts, “His glory is great through Your salvation, Splendor and majesty You place upon him.” (Psa. 21:5) This verse highlights the divine origin of the king’s honor—his “glory” is not self-gained, but instead stems from God’s gracious deliverance and steadfast favor. In the ancient Near East, kings often claimed their own might, yet David’s words demonstrate that the true majesty of a ruler is only secure when the LORD bestows it.
Because the psalm points to God’s hand in exalting His anointed one, it foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of salvation in Christ (John 17:1). Just as David acknowledges that splendor comes from the LORD’s salvation, believers in Christ are to recognize that any status or dignity they possess is a result of God’s mercy and goodness, rooted in a relationship with Him. This verse also underscores the intimate bond between the LORD and His people: those aligned with Him experience His greatness, gain His protection, and reflect His majestic character before the world.
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Psalms 21:5 meaning
David, Israel’s king from about 1010 BC to 970 BC, celebrates the LORD’s sovereignty and provision in Psalm 21, crediting God as the source of every benefit the king enjoys. He exalts, “His glory is great through Your salvation, Splendor and majesty You place upon him.” (Psa. 21:5) This verse highlights the divine origin of the king’s honor—his “glory” is not self-gained, but instead stems from God’s gracious deliverance and steadfast favor. In the ancient Near East, kings often claimed their own might, yet David’s words demonstrate that the true majesty of a ruler is only secure when the LORD bestows it.
Because the psalm points to God’s hand in exalting His anointed one, it foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of salvation in Christ (John 17:1). Just as David acknowledges that splendor comes from the LORD’s salvation, believers in Christ are to recognize that any status or dignity they possess is a result of God’s mercy and goodness, rooted in a relationship with Him. This verse also underscores the intimate bond between the LORD and His people: those aligned with Him experience His greatness, gain His protection, and reflect His majestic character before the world.