The Joyful King
What is the difference between joy and happiness? How would you define those two words? One way to think about them is that happiness is a temporary emotion which comes and goes, but joy goes deeper. Joy isn’t dependent on circumstances. Joy is a condition of the heart. King David had many reasons to find joy in the strength of God. Perhaps the joy came from his victories in battle or the deliverance from his enemies. He personally experienced the mighty hand of God.
In this Psalm, David is recounting the numerous blessings the Lord has shown him. The strength and salvation of God came to David in response to both the desire of his heart and his spoken prayers (the request of his lips). It’s possible to have joy in difficult times. It’s possible to live with hope, trusting in the strength of God despite the chaos and darkness we witness in the world. Put words to the desires of your heart today. Speak to God about them, pray persistently, and delight in the joy of salvation. Follow the example of this joyful king, and rejoice in the strength God gives.
GO DEEP: Ask God to give you joy today. Give thanks to Him for His salvation and trust in the strength that He gives. Make a note of all of the blessings in your life and praise God for them.
BE BOLD: Who needs to hear this? Who could you share it with?
Psalm 21[a]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!
2 You have granted him his heart’s desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips.[b]
3 You came to greet him with rich blessings
and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
length of days, for ever and ever.
5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings
and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord;
through the unfailing love of the Most High
he will not be shaken.
8 Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies;
your right hand will seize your foes.
9 When you appear for battle,
you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
and his fire will consume them.
10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth,
their posterity from mankind.
11 Though they plot evil against you
and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.
12 You will make them turn their backs
when you aim at them with drawn bow.
13 Be exalted in your strength, Lord;
we will sing and praise your might.