God Has Gone Before Us

Psalm 21:1-7

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD!

He shouts with joy because of your victory.

2For you have given him his heart’s desire;

you have held back nothing that he requested.

Interlude

3You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.

You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.

4He asked you to preserve his life,

and you have granted his request.

The days of his life stretch on forever.

5Your victory brings him great honor,

and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.

6You have endowed him with eternal blessings.

You have given him the joy of being in your presence.

7For the king trusts in the LORD.

The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.

Henry IV of France (Henry of Navarre) had been imprisoned in Paris because of his Protestant beliefs. Eventually he managed to escape and find refuge with the Huguenots, who were being persecuted throughout the country. At a Huguenot service, he heard the worshipers singing Psalm 21. Learning that it was about God’s blessing upon a king, Henry assumed it was chosen to honor his arrival. When he was told that Psalm 21 was simply the next one to be sung, he was sure that God had prearranged it and was in awe of God’s providential leading.

In the King James Version, verse 3 reads: “For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness.” Commentaries explain that the word prevent has changed its meaning in the last four hundred years. It used to mean “to go before.” Therefore, when theologians speak of “prevenient grace,” they mean that God’s grace paves the way for our salvation.

That was what amazed Henry IV: God had gone before him. This is what amazed King David: God was there already, welcoming him back with great celebration.

As we move toward God, we discover that he has already moved toward us. Whether we are a king, a peasant, or someone in between, God has paved the way for our salvation. All we need to do is surrender ourselves to him.

For the love of God is broader

Than the measure of man’s mind,

And the heart of the Eternal

Is most wonderfully kind.

FREDERICK W. FABER

Fascinating Fact

The Targum (an ancient Aramaic translation/interpretation of the Old Testament) interpreted this psalm as relating to the Messiah. It rendered verse 1 as “The King Messiah rejoices.”

Psalm at a Glance

Psalm 20 and Psalm 21 correspond to each other. They both speak about the king. The first is a psalm of intercession, perhaps as the king goes out to battle. The second is a psalm of thanksgiving, perhaps for the king’s triumphant return.