Psalms 21:5

KJV

His glory [is] great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.

KJV (with Strong's)

His glory {H3519} is great {H1419} in thy salvation {H3444}: honour {H1935} and majesty {H1926} hast thou laid {H7737} upon him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your victory brings him great glory; you confer on him splendor and honor.

Berean Standard Bible

Great is his glory in Your salvation; You bestow on him splendor and majesty.

American Standard Version

His glory is great in thy salvation: Honor and majesty dost thou lay upon him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 21:5 declares that the earthly king's glory, honor, and majesty are not inherent but are divinely bestowed gifts, profoundly rooted in and magnified by God's saving power and intervention. This verse underscores the absolute sovereignty of God as the ultimate source of all true exaltation and authority, positioning the king's success and renown as a direct testament to divine favor and deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 21 is a royal psalm, forming a pair with Psalms 20. While Psalms 20 is a prayer for the king *before* battle or a significant undertaking, Psalms 21 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise *after* God has granted victory or fulfilled the king's desires. Verse 5 continues the theme of God's abundant blessing upon the king, following declarations of God granting the king's heart's desire and long life (verses 2-4). It transitions from the king's personal trust and God's responsiveness to the *result* of that divine favor: the king's exalted status and renown, all attributed directly to God. The psalm as a whole celebrates God's faithfulness to His anointed, confirming His power to deliver and establish His chosen ruler.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm was likely composed for a reigning monarch in ancient Israel, such as David or Solomon, perhaps commemorating a significant military victory, a coronation, or a reaffirmation of the king's divine appointment. In the Ancient Near East, kings often claimed divine lineage or inherent divinity. However, Israelite kingship was distinct: the king was Yahweh's anointed (Messiah), a vice-regent whose authority, legitimacy, and splendor were entirely *derived* from God. This verse powerfully articulates this theological distinction, emphasizing that the king's "glory," "honor," and "majesty" were not personal achievements but divine endowments, gifts from the true King, Yahweh. This served to humble the earthly king and remind the people that their ultimate trust should be in God, who empowers their ruler.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 21:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader Old Testament. It highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty over Kingship**, asserting that all earthly authority and glory flow from God alone. This is consistent with the broader biblical teaching that God "removes kings and sets up kings" as seen in [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms"). The verse also emphasizes **God as the Source of Blessing and Victory**, framing the king's success not as a result of human might but as a direct outcome of God's saving acts. Furthermore, it develops the theme of **The King as God's Anointed**, whose very position and dignity are a testament to God's covenant faithfulness and empowering presence. Ultimately, the profound language used, particularly "glory" and "salvation," points beyond any earthly monarch, foreshadowing the **Ultimate King**, whose glory is inherently tied to the salvation He brings, a theme that resonates throughout the [prophetic books](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Coming Prince of Peace") and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kavod'_):** This word signifies weight, substance, honor, reputation, and splendor. While often used to describe the inherent glory of God, here it refers to the renown and magnificent standing of the king, which is presented as being "great *in* thy salvation." This implies that the king's glory is not self-generated but is a direct manifestation and consequence of God's saving actions on his behalf. It is a glory that reflects God's power and favor.
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yeshua'_):** A rich term encompassing deliverance, victory, rescue, and well-being. In this context, it refers to God's active intervention to deliver the king from his enemies or to secure his reign. The king's "glory" is not merely *through* salvation but is *in* it, meaning the very essence and greatness of his glory are intrinsically linked to and defined by God's saving acts.
* **Honour (Hebrew, _hod'_):** This word denotes splendor, majesty, vigor, and dignity. It is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe the majesty of God Himself, or the royal dignity of a king. Its placement alongside "majesty" emphasizes the profound and regal status bestowed upon the king.
* **Majesty (Hebrew, _hadar'_):** Similar to `hod`, `hadar` conveys adornment, glory, beauty, and splendor. The pairing of `hod` and `hadar` creates a powerful expression of the king's exalted status, underscoring that these attributes are not merely superficial but are deep, substantial marks of divine favor and appointment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His glory [is] great in thy salvation":** This clause establishes the source and nature of the king's renown. The king's "glory" (his splendor, reputation, and weight of presence) is not an independent attribute but is magnified and made "great" *through* God's "salvation" (His acts of deliverance and victory). It means that the king's success and honor are a direct outcome and testimony to God's saving power.
* **"honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him":** This second clause reinforces the divine origin of the king's elevated status. The verb "laid upon him" (תָּשִׁית, _tashit_) implies a deliberate, active, and sovereign act of God. God Himself is the one who bestows these regal attributes of "honour" and "majesty" upon the king, signifying divine approval, empowerment, and a sacred appointment. These are not earned by the king but are gifts from the divine King.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 21:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where "honour and majesty" are presented together to amplify the concept of regal dignity and divine bestowal. This pairing creates a sense of fullness and completeness regarding the blessings God has conferred upon the king. There is also an element of **Metonymy**, where "thy salvation" (God's saving act) stands in for the *result* or *effect* of that salvation, which is the king's great glory. The use of "great" (גָּדוֹל, _gadol_) in relation to "glory" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the divine favor. Finally, the entire verse functions as a declaration of **Divine Bestowal**, where the active verb "hast thou laid upon him" highlights God's direct agency in exalting the king, making the king's status a direct reflection of God's power and grace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical principle that all true authority, glory, and honor ultimately originate from God. It serves as a crucial reminder that human leaders, no matter how powerful or successful, derive their standing and effectiveness from the divine will and empowering grace. This concept counters any notion of inherent human sovereignty or self-made glory, placing God at the apex of all power and exaltation. For the people of Israel, it meant that their king's strength and success were not to be found in his own military might or political acumen, but in his humble dependence on Yahweh and Yahweh's willingness to act on his behalf. This theological truth extends beyond kingship to all forms of human achievement and blessing, affirming that every good and perfect gift comes from above.

* [1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1-samuel/2-7 "1 Samuel 2:7-8 - The Lord Makes Poor and Makes Rich")
* [Proverbs 22:4](/proverbs/22-4 "Proverbs 22:4 - Humility and the Fear of the Lord")
* [Daniel 2:37-38](/daniel/2-37 "Daniel 2:37-38 - God Gives Kingdoms to Whomever He Wills")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 21:5 offers a powerful lens through which to examine our own understanding of success, honor, and significance. It calls us to a posture of profound humility, recognizing that any "glory" or accomplishment we experience, whether in our personal lives, careers, or ministries, is ultimately a gift from God. Our true worth and standing are not derived from our own efforts, talents, or accolades, but are "great in thy salvation"—meaning they are rooted in God's redemptive work in our lives and His active grace. This verse encourages us to shift our focus from seeking self-glory to magnifying the One who bestows all honor. It challenges us to live in a way that directs praise back to God, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of every good thing, thereby fostering a spirit of gratitude and dependence rather than pride.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to seek or claim "glory" for yourself, rather than attributing it to God?**
* **How does understanding that "honour and majesty" are "laid upon" us by God change your perspective on your achievements or blessings?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more consistently acknowledge God as the source of your strength, success, and significance?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse only about an earthly king, or does it have a broader meaning?**

Answer: While Psalms 21:5 initially refers to an earthly king of Israel, its language and profound theological implications extend far beyond a mere historical account. The "glory," "salvation," "honor," and "majesty" described are so grand that they ultimately point to a greater, ultimate King. The Old Testament often uses the earthly king as a type or foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. Therefore, while it had immediate relevance for the Israelite monarchy, its fullest and most perfect fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, the King of kings, upon whom God has laid unparalleled glory and majesty, and whose very being is intrinsically tied to God's ultimate salvation for humanity.

**How does "salvation" relate to "glory" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "His glory [is] great in thy salvation" means that the king's renown, splendor, and exalted status are not due to his own inherent power or wisdom, but are a direct consequence and manifestation of God's saving power and deliverance on his behalf. It's a glory that *testifies* to God's saving work. For instance, if the king wins a battle, his glory isn't in his military genius but in God's act of delivering him and his people. His glory becomes a visible sign of God's active presence and saving intervention, making it a glory that redounds to God's praise. This concept is echoed in passages like [Isaiah 45:17](/isaiah/45-17 "Isaiah 45:17 - Israel Saved with an Everlasting Salvation"), where God's salvation brings lasting glory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 21:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King. While the earthly king's glory was derived and dependent on God's salvation, Christ's glory is inherently divine, yet it is also supremely magnified "in thy salvation" because He *is* the embodiment of God's saving work. The Father has indeed "laid upon Him" ultimate "honour and majesty," not merely as a gift, but as a recognition of His unique divine Sonship and His perfect obedience in accomplishing redemption. The [author of Hebrews](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory") declares Jesus to be "the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being," and that He was "crowned with glory and honor" through His suffering and resurrection ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Crowned with Glory and Honor")). It is through Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection that God's great salvation is fully realized, and in that salvation, the unparalleled glory of the Son is revealed. He is the one before whom "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Jesus' Exaltation and Lordship")). Thus, the royal imagery of Psalms 21:5 points forward to the majestic reign of Christ, whose glory is eternally intertwined with the salvation He secured for all humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 3:22

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Revelation 5:8

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Revelation 5:13

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

John 17:22

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Hebrews 8:1

¶ Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Ephesians 1:20

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],

Ephesians 1:22

And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,