Length of Days Forever – Psalm 21

Perhaps the biggest controversy about this psalm of trust is David’s declaration that Yahweh has given him “length of days forever and ever,” using the Hebrew word olam.  The word cannot always mean forever:

• 1 Samuel 1:22, Samuel could not live with Eli forever in a literal sense
• 1 Samuel 27:8, the Amalekites had not lived in Canaan forever
• Psalm 78:69, the earth and the temple have not and will not last forever

It was common to wish the king to live and reign forever (1 Kings 1:31; Nehemiah 2:3; Daniel 2:4), even though it was obvious that could not literally happen.  David did have a long reign, a long life, and this may be all he means.  But some have suggested that maybe he also intended to praise God for the promise that his offspring after him would also reign as kings and in this way his posterity lasted forever.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!  You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah   For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.  He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.  His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him.  For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.  For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you.  You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear.  The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them.  You will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from among the children of man.  Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.  For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows.

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength!  We will sing and praise your power.  (Psalm 21 ESV)

The king glories in Yahweh’s strength and salvation, having received from Him victory in battle and glory and splendor as a king.  He anticipates that God will make the king’s enemies His enemies and use the king to defeat them and be God’s instrument of wrath.  Such strength deserves his worship.

Through Jesus we are God’s anointed ones whose cause He takes up.  His strength and power are at work in our lives, as well.