Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 21:2
Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
2. This verse refers chiefly, but not exclusively, to the prayers for the success of the expedition referred to in Psa 20:3-5.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thou hast given him his hearts desire – See the notes at Psa 20:4. This had been the prayer of the people that God would grant him according to his own heart, and fulfil all his counsel, and this desire had now been granted. All that had been wished; all that had been prayed for by himself or by the people, had been granted.
And hast not withholden – Hast not denied or refused.
The request of his lips – The request, or the desire which his lips had uttered. The meaning is, that his petitions had been filly granted.
Selah – See the notes at Psa 3:2.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 21:2
Thou hast given him his hearts desire.
The desire granted
In this Psalm the joy bells of praise and thanksgiving are rung, and Te Deum laudamus sung, as after a great victory. It follows close on Psa 20:1-9, celebrating the fulfilment of the petitions there offered.
1. We are reminded of the connection between desire and prayer. Desire is the mainspring of life. Could the infinite multitude of desires be annihilated, hope and effort would die, and the busy drama of life come to a standstill. Desire is therefore the test of character. Not what a man does or says, but what he desires, marks him for what he is, and makes him what he is. Desire, therefore, is the soul of prayer. We see here, perhaps, the deepest reason why God has ordained prayer, namely, that what is deepest, most dominant in mans nature, should be consecrated to God, and supremely refer to Him.
2. The whole invisible world of human desires (never the same two moments) lies open to Gods eye. God can, if He sees fit, give us our hearts desire. No lawful desire but He has created the means of its satisfaction; and if He disappoints it, this is but for the sake of some nobler end, some richer blessing. Unlawful desires are forbidden, not because He grudges our joy, but because their fulfilment would be our injury and ruin.
3. We have a practical test suggested both of our desires and of our prayers.
(1) Of our desires. Are they such as we can put into prayer? Are they pure–such as God can approve; reasonable–such as we need not be ashamed to put into prayer; unselfish–such as consist with the great law of love; unpresumptuous–within the scope of Gods promises?
(2) Of our prayers. Do they indeed express the desires of our heart? Prayer without desire is a dead form; a featherless, pointless arrow that will reach no mark. (E. R. Conder, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 2. Thou hast given him his heart’s desire] This seems to refer to the prayers offered in the preceding Psalm; see especially Ps 21:1-4.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
2. The sentiment affirmed in thefirst clause is reaffirmed by the negation of its opposite in thesecond.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thou hast given him his heart’s desire,…. Which the church had prayed for in Ps 20:4; whatever Christ’s heart desired, or his lips requested, has been given him;
and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Whatever he asked in the council and covenant of peace was granted; he asked for all the elect, as his spouse and bride; these were the desire of his heart and eyes, and they were given him; he asked for all the blessings of grace for them, and all grace was given to them in him; he asked for glory, for eternal life, and it was promised him; and not only the promise of it was put into his hand, but the thing itself; see Ps 2:8 1Jo 5:11; and Ps 20:4; whatever he requested of his Father, when here on earth, was granted; he always heard him; that memorable prayer of his in Joh 17:1 is heard and answered, both in what respects himself, his own glorification, and the conversion, sanctification, union, preservation, and glorification of his people; whatever he now desires and requests in heaven, as the advocate and intercessor for his saints, is ever fulfilled; which is an instance of the great regard Jehovah has unto him, and may be considered as a reason of his joy in him.
Selah; on this word, [See comments on Ps 3:2].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) Request.The Hebrew word occurs nowhere else, but is connected with a root, to be poor, and, therefore, in want. The not is emphatic: And the request of his lips thou hast by no means withheld. The mention in Psa. 21:4 of a prayer for long life, or perhaps, rather, continuance of life, suggests that this request was uttered in sickness. On the other hand the general tone of the psalm connects it with a victory.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. His heart’s desire Comp. Psa 20:4. The cause of this answer is given in Psa 21:7. As applied to Messiah, see Joh 11:41-42: “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Reader, look here again, and be abundantly comforted in the view. The heart’s desire of Jesus was and is for the redemption of his people. And depend upon one certain truth: Never did any poor burthened sin-sick soul long or desire so earnestly for his salvation by Jesus, as Jesus hath for the salvation of that sinner. Sweetly the Church echoed to this desire of Jesus, her husband, when she said, I am my beloved’s, and his desire is towards me. Son 7:10 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 21:2 Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
Ver. 2. Thou hast given him his heart’s desire] Good men are sure to have out their prayers either in money or in money’s worth, as they say; in that very thing they desire, or a better. If God cross them, it is in faithfulness to their souls when the wicked boasteth of their heart’s desire Psa 10:3 , which yet he hath for a mischief Deus saepe dat iratus, quod negat propitius. See Trapp on “ Psa 20:4 “
And hast not withholden, &c. Selah
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
heart’s desire. Compare Psa 20:4; Psa 37:4.
Selah. See App-66. Here connecting the reason (Psa 21:3) of the answer (Psa 21:2) with the prayer of Psa 20:4; which, by the Selah of Psa 20:3, had been connected with the reason given there: i.e. atonement.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 2:8, Psa 2:9, Psa 20:4, Psa 20:5, Psa 92:11, Isa 49:6-12, Heb 7:25
Reciprocal: Psa 37:4 – and Psa 95:4 – In Psa 124:2 – when men Pro 10:24 – the desire Pro 13:19 – The desire Pro 30:7 – deny me them not
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 21:2. Thou hast given him his hearts desire Thou hast granted all that he desired in his heart, as well as that which he openly requested with his lips. The desire of Christs heart was his own resurrection and exaltation, for the benefit of his church; and now he ever liveth to make request with his lips, for the conversion and salvation of sinners. Such desires will be granted, and such requests will never be withholden. Let us be careful to frame ours after that all-perfect model of divine love. Horne.