Psalms 21:4
He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
Original Language Analysis
חַיִּ֤ים׀
life
H2416
חַיִּ֤ים׀
life
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
1 of 9
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
שָׁאַ֣ל
He asked
H7592
שָׁאַ֣ל
He asked
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
2 of 9
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
מִ֭מְּךָ
H4480
מִ֭מְּךָ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
נָתַ֣תָּה
of thee and thou gavest
H5414
נָתַ֣תָּה
of thee and thou gavest
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 9
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יָ֝מִ֗ים
of days
H3117
יָ֝מִ֗ים
of days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 9
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Cross References
Revelation 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.Psalms 91:16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.Psalms 119:77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.Psalms 133:3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.Psalms 119:175Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.Psalms 72:17His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.Psalms 13:3Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;Psalms 89:29His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
Historical Context
Kings in the ancient Near East sought long reigns as signs of divine favor. However, this verse's language of 'forever and ever' exceeds any mortal king's lifespan, pointing prophetically to the Messiah's eternal kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise of eternal life transform your earthly priorities?
- In what ways has God answered your prayers beyond what you asked or imagined?
Analysis & Commentary
The request for 'life' receives an answer of eternal life—'length of days for ever and ever.' While the earthly king sought temporal life, God's answer transcends time. This Messianic overtone points to Christ, who asked for life (Heb. 5:7) and received resurrection and eternal dominion. The Reformed understanding sees God's answers exceeding our petitions according to His sovereign purposes—we ask temporally, God answers eternally.