“"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." ”
Before the Messiah lived bodily on earth, the Scriptures foreshadowed His life experiences in several ways and through many characters. For instance, during Israel's captivity in Babylon (long after David's reign), the LORD spoke through Ezekiel, saying, "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them" (Eze 37:24 NKJV). That prophecy can properly apply only to the Messiah, especially in light of the historical records of Israel's kingship after the Babylonian captivity.
By "David My servant", the LORD meant, among other things, the Kingship of Christ the Messiah. In that light, David's words in our reference text are Messianic in context. Christ spoke to God the Father, saying, "The [Messiah] 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." Hallelujah! He added, "For You have made him most BLESSED FOREVER; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence" (Psa 21:6 NKJV). To a great extent, these words touch on Christ's life in the Father's presence after His resurrection.
Earlier, Christ had spoken to God—in David's words—about His resurrection, saying, "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psa 16:11 NKJV). Blessedly, God has "given him his heart's desire". Recall that part of Christ's "desire [was] that they also whom You [Father God] gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me" (Joh 17:24 NKJV). According to our text, God has granted that to Jesus. In Him, we are headed for a manner of glory that has no history on earth! Also, just as Christ greatly rejoiced in the Father's salvation, so shall we eternally rejoice in His salvation. Hallelujah!
Pst. Emmanuel