What is the meaning of Psalm 21:5? Great is his glory “Great is his glory” (Psalm 21:5a) reminds us that the king’s honor is unmistakable and public. The phrase points first to David, whose victories (2 Samuel 8:6) made his name renowned, but it ultimately foreshadows Christ, “crowned with glory and honor” (Hebrews 2:9). • Glory is not self-generated; it reflects God’s own glory shining through a servant who trusts Him (Psalm 3:3; 1 Corinthians 10:31). • Because this glory is rooted in God, it is secure—unlike worldly fame that fades (1 Peter 1:24-25). • The believer shares in this reflected glory: “Those who look to Him are radiant” (Psalm 34:5). in Your salvation The king’s greatness rests “in Your salvation” (Psalm 21:5b). Every triumph flows from God’s rescue, whether battlefield deliverance (Psalm 20:6) or eternal redemption (Isaiah 12:2). • Salvation replaces fear with confidence: “The battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47). • It safeguards the future: “He will not let your foot slip” (Psalm 121:3). • For us, Christ’s cross is the ultimate “salvation” that grounds our identity (Romans 1:16). You bestow on him “You bestow” underscores that God is the active Giver. David’s throne and Jesus’ exaltation alike are gifts, not rewards earned. • “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). • God’s initiative is seen in His covenant with David: “I took you from the pasture... and I will make your name great” (2 Samuel 7:8-9). • Our lives mirror this pattern: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). splendor and majesty God grants “splendor and majesty” as royal regalia (Psalm 21:5c). For David, that meant a respected throne (1 Chron 29:25). For Christ, it is cosmic kingship: “On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: KING OF KINGS” (Revelation 19:16). • These qualities signify authority, beauty, and holy awe (Psalm 96:6). • Believers are promised a share: “You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:5; cf. Revelation 3:21). • Such majesty calls for humble worship, not self-exaltation (Psalm 29:2). summary Psalm 21:5 celebrates a God-given glory that rests on rescue, flows from the Giver, and shines with royal splendor. David experienced it in part; Jesus embodies it fully; and all who trust Him are invited to reflect it—to the praise of the One who bestows honor that never fades. |
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