A Righteous King

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-28-2024

Psalm 21

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 21 is Davidic and gives a description of his reign.  I fully understand the recorded failures of this great king but the last chapter of his life was written by God in the inspired words,

 

“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” (Acts 13:22)

 

B.  In 2 Samuel, chapter 23 (the last chapter of the book and the last chapter of King David’s life), we find the “last words” of Israel’s greatest king! 

 

1.  I have often read about the last words recorded of famous men and women. I do not want to give their quotes but do want to look at David’s. 

 

2.  Last words often speak of the way one lived and often the condition in which they died.

 

3.  Last words are important in the Bible as they express a legacy from which others may find both strength and purpose.

 

C.  King David’s last recorded words were given by inspiration of God!  Therefore, they were right words; they were righteous words.

 

D. In the introduction of David’s last words, we find the requirements of righteousness for those who rule.  It is God that puts men in office, and it is God that takes these same men out of office.  Government is of God!

 

Daniel 2:20-21  Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:  (21)  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

 

Acts 13:21-22  And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.  (22)  And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

 

E.  I want to use a three of verses out of the Book of 2 Samuel to introduce this message as they give the Biblical definition of a righteous King.

 

2 Samuel 23:1-3  Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,  (2)  The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.  (3)  The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

 

F.  With this in mind, let us look at Psalm 21.

 

1.  In verse 1, we find the Joy of a Righteous King.

 

a.  The Joy of God’s Strength.  The promise of God given to the man on the throne who is just and fears God.  His strength is ALWAYS sufficient for every task ahead.

 

b.  The Joy of God’s Salvation.  This is both spiritual and temporal.  Spiritual salvation through faith and physical salvation (deliverance) in battles and earthly strife.

 

2.  In verses 2-10.  The Blessings of a Righteous King.

 

a.  Verse 2, The Blessing of Answered Prayer.

 

b.  Verse 3, the Blessing of an Exalted Position.  A king in which the people can be proud.

 

c.  Verse 4, the Blessing of a Long Life.  A life that is not only long but full and blessed.

 

d.  Verse 5, The Blessing of  Glorious Life.  A life that radiates the glory of God.

 

e.  Verse 6, the Blessing of Gladness. A life that is full of joy and happiness.  Happiness is the Lord!

 

f.  Verse 7, the Blessing of Stability. A life that does not change through circumstances.  A life that is stable and consistent.

 

g.  Verse 8, the Blessing of Discernment.  The wisdom to know who is for you and who is against you and how to thwart their purposes.

 

h.  Verse 9-12, the Blessing of Protection and Victory.  No weapon formed against a righteous king will prosper.  God will both be with and guide in battle if the cause is just.

 

i.  Verse 13, the Blessing of Worship. A righteous king will both worship with his live and lips, giving all credit and glory to the One who is altogether worthy of praise.

 

Conclusion:  We live in days of unjust and unrighteous men who have no fear of God.

 

1.  A government that is perfectly good with killing God’s heritage, the fruit of the womb.

 

Psalms 127:3  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

 

2.  A government that is perfectly good with sodomy.

 

Romans 1:26-27  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  (27)  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

 

3.  A government that is perfectly good with the misuse of power and law.

 

1 Timothy 1:8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

 

4.  Can you imagine the blessings, protection, provision, power, and victory that America could experience today with justice and the fear of God in government!