The Lord Jesus Christ is described as his people's shepherd in three ways. In John 10:11 and 14 he is "the good shepherd," who gives his life for his sheep. In Hebrews 13:20 he is "that great shepherd," who has risen from the dead and lives now to direct his people in every good work. In 1 Peter 5:4 he is "the Chief shepherd," who has ascended into heaven from whence he will one day return to reward the under shepherds of the church who have been faithful. It has been pointed out that Psalms 22, 23 and 24 are like that. Psalm 22 is the song of the dying shepherd, crying out to the Father. Psalm 23 is the song of the risen shepherd, guiding his sheep through life's dark wilderness. Psalm 24 is the song of the ascended shepherd who will reward those who have served faithfully.
The second stanza of Psalm 21 corresponds to the second stanza of Psalm 20, though there are some differences. In Psalm 20 the speaker is apparently an individual, and while this could be the case in Psalm 21, it is not made explicit. In Psalm 20 the speaker uses the present tense, anticipating the victory that has been prayed for and is expected to be given. In Psalm 21 the tense is future, anticipating the victories yet to come.8 In spite of these differences, the tone of the two sections is very much alike, however. Both express confidence in God to protect the king and people in coming days as he has done in the past. In Psalm 21 this confidence follows naturally on the reference to the covenant in verse 7.
Today we look at the last two of the six specific blessings for which the Lord was to be given thanks.
Yesterday we looked at the first of six blessings for which God was to be praised. Today we consider the next three.
Since Psalm 21 is a prayer of national thanksgiving, it suggests another illustration. The great poet Rudyard Kipling was asked to write a poem to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria in 1897. It had been a splendid occasion. High government officials and soldiers from all over the empire had assembled in London, along with nearly two hundred ships of the Royal Navy. They had come through a great century, and everyone was now praising England and her queen.
