Psalm 21-23

In the previous Psalm, we see a plea to God to be with them as they face their enemy in a time of war.  Psalm 21 opens (v1-6) with the return of the King and his praise and thanksgiving to God for the victory over his foes.

1 O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! 2 You have given him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

The psalmist teaches us in vs. 7-13, that we can have confidence of further success through the blessings of God.

13 Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!

We will sing and praise your power.

Psalm 22 is the foretelling of the crucifixion of Christ on the cross, from His cry out to His Father “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me” to the description of His hands and feet being pierced and nailed to the cross, to His words of triumph over the grave after His resurrection.  David rejoices in the coming Savior and that His deeds will be well known to all people for all time.

Psalm 23 is perhaps the most well known passage of scripture to Christians and non-Christians alike.  “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” is quoted at weddings, funerals and memorized by little children.  The truths in Psalm 23 are simple to understand and yet so powerful.  They are an encouragement in time of struggle, an promise in time of uncertainty, and a promise of the hope we have for all of eternity.

God’s promise was as clear to David when he penned this book, as it is to us today.  “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”