Prayer Series VIII
PSALM 21
CONTEXT: From Spurgeon’s Treasury of David:
SUBJECT. The title gives us but little information; it is simply, To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. Probably written by David, sung by David, relating to David, and intended by David to refer in its fullest reach of meaning to David’s Lord. It is evidently the fit companion of Psalm Twenty, and is in its proper position next to it. Psalm Twenty anticipates what this regards as realized. If we pray to-day for a benefit and receive it, we must, ere the sun goes down, praise God for that mercy, or we deserve to be denied the next time. It has been called David’s triumphant song, and we may remember it as The Royal Triumphal Ode. “The king” is most prominent throughout, and we shall read it to true profit if our meditation of him shall be sweet while perusing it. We must crown him with the glory of our salvation; singing of his love, and praising his power, The next psalm will take us to the foot of the cross, this introduces us to the steps of the throne.
DIVISION. The division of the translators will answer every purpose. A thanksgiving for victory, verses 1 to 6. Confidence of further success, verses 7 to 13.
Comments of Verse Four:
“He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him.” He asked a resurrection, saying, “Father, glorify thy Son;” and thou gavest it him. “Length of days for ever and ever.” The prolonged ages of this world which the church was to have, and after them an eternity, world without end.—Augustine.
“He asked life of thee,” etc. Thus God is better to his people than their prayers; and when they ask but one blessing, he answered them as Naaman did Gehazi, with, Nay, take two. Hezekiah asked but one life, and God gave him fifteen years, which we reckon at two lives and more. He giveth liberally and like himself; as great Alexander did when he gave the poor beggar a city; and when he sent his schoolmaster a ship full of frankincense, and bade him sacrifice freely.—John Trapp.
Today as we continue our series on prayer, I am posting a sermon from Jonathan Edwards. based on our text. Here is an excerpt:
There is no other way that the heart can look to God, but only looking by faith, by faith seeking the blessing of God, and by faith depending on God for the mercy sought.
He that prays, or rather seems to pray, without any faith or dependance in the providence or mercy of God [for] the bestowment of the things asked; he don’t really look to God’s power, or mercy, or any of his perfections, and so don’t look to God. And God never promised that he would hear and answer those that don’t look to him for what they need.
– Jonathan Edwards
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