The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah. (Psalm 21:1-2)
In rabbinical literature, it is believed that this particular psalm speaks of two kings — David and Messiah, the son of David. Of the latter it is written, “David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd” (Ezekiel 37:24). Both David and the Messiah suffered at the hands of those who denied their authority and rule; both overcame their adversaries to accomplish God’s Will through them. Ultimately, the result of their sacrifice was the joy of God’s purpose being fulfilled and the salvation it wrought for the people of God — this is especially true in regard to Messiah.
And so when David composed this psalm to express his own joy in the strength and salvation of the LORD, it is understood that he spoke prophetically of the Messiah as well. In fact, the Hebrew word that is translated as joy (also rendered as rejoice) is comprised of the very same letters that make up the word משיח mashiach (Messiah). In other words, this psalm is indeed hinting at the Messiah who, prophetically speaking, expresses His joy in God’s salvation (by the way, the Hebrew word for salvation is yeshua).
Is there anything in Scripture to substantiate the notion that Messiah rejoiced in God’s salvation; anything to support the idea that the Father have Him the desires of His heart? Luke’s Gospel records that Messiah “rejoiced in the Spirit” at the fact God’s purpose was being fulfilled through Him (Luke 10:21). It is also written that Yeshua endured the suffering of the cross “for the joy that was set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2).
I have to believe that the joy referred to is, not only that He would be seated at the right hand of God but also, through Him many would be reconciled to the Almighty. This, I believe, was the desire of His heart. On the eve of His crucifixion He prayed: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:20-21).
Though David composed the words, it was the Holy Spirit who inspired him to write what he did, perhaps never realizing he was prophesying of the coming Messiah. And so what is the point today? From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible points us to Messiah — His suffering and His victory. And His victory has resulted in our victory; His atonement has given us access to the Most High and allowed for us to make our petitions known. May He grant us our hearts desire and always answer the request of our lips.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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