Psalms 21:2
Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
Psalms 21:2 (KJV)
Context
Psalm 21 is attributed to King David and is a psalm of thanksgiving for God’s blessings and victories. This verse directly answers the prayer of Psalm 20:4, where the congregation asked that God would give the king his heart’s desire and fulfil all his plans. Here, the psalmist declares that God has done exactly that.
Meaning
The verse acknowledges that God has given the king “his heart’s desire.” This refers to God fulfilling the deepest longings of the psalmist’s heart, showing that God is attentive and responsive to the needs and prayers of His people. The “him” is the king, likely David himself, and the verse acknowledges God’s care for the king’s spoken prayers as well as his unspoken desires.
The verse further emphasises that God has not withheld the requests of the psalmist’s lips. The Wycliffe translation renders “not withholden” as “not defrauded him of the will of his lips,” and Young’s Literal Translation says “the request of his lips Thou hast not withheld,” both reinforcing the idea that God denied nothing that was asked. This reminds us that God is not only concerned with our physical well-being but also with the desires and petitions of our hearts.
The psalmist’s expression of gratitude demonstrates trust and confidence in God’s faithfulness. The king’s joy is rooted in God’s strength and salvation, not in his own achievements.
The word “Selah” at the end of the verse is an instruction found in many Psalms. While its exact meaning is uncertain, it is believed to be a musical term indicating a pause or a moment for reflection. In this context, it encourages us to pause and reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of God in fulfilling our desires and answering our prayers.
Biblical connections
This verse is a direct answer to the prayer in Psalm 20:4, where the congregation asked that God would give the king his heart’s desire and fulfil all his plans. The connection shows that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people, and that His answers are a cause for thanksgiving.
Application
Trust in God’s Provision: Psalm 21:2 encourages us to trust in God’s provision for our lives. We can bring our desires and requests before Him, knowing that He listens and cares for us.
Gratitude and Thankfulness: This verse prompts us to cultivate a heart of gratitude for God’s faithfulness. We should regularly acknowledge and praise Him for the ways He has answered our prayers and fulfilled the desires of our hearts.
Reflect and Strengthen Faith: The inclusion of “Selah” reminds us to pause and reflect on God’s goodness. Meditating on this verse strengthens our faith in God’s willingness to meet our needs, encouraging us to approach Him with confidence.
Reflection
Psalm 21:2 reveals a God who is both attentive and generous. He does not merely hear our words; He knows the deepest desires of our hearts. As we reflect on this verse, we are invited to trust that God is not distant or indifferent, but actively involved in the lives of His people, ready to respond to our prayers and to give us the desires of our hearts according to His will.
