Toni’s Title
Wise The Rule of God Through His King
ESV Title
The King Rejoices in the LORD’s Strength
Literary Type
This is a royal psalm and a psalm of thanksgiving.
Royal Psalms
These are psalms in which the Davidic king is the central figure. The king’s authority comes from God, and his task is to rule as God’s representative in the kingdom on earth. Since he is God’s representative on earth, the enemies of God oppose him. These psalms find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ when “He will come again to judge the living and the dead.” (The Apostles’ Creed, BCP, p. 96)
Examples: Psalms 2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 101, 110, 144
Psalms of Thanksgiving
These psalms/songs praise God in response to an event of deliverance already experienced. They are songs sung by people who, after a time of waiting, have experienced the goodness of God in the everyday world. These songs come from ordinary individuals, the king (royal), or the believing community.
Examples: Psalms 30, 32, 34, 65, 67, 92, 107, 116, 124, 138 and others
NT Prayer Guide
Phil. 2:5-11
Superscription
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.