Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#21

21. The King Rejoices in Your Strength

Text Information

• First Line: The king rejoices in your strength
• Title: The King Rejoices in Your Strength
• Versifier: Marie J. Post (1985)
• Meter: CMD
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 21
• Topic: King, God/Christ as; Return of Christ; Easter; Judgment
• Copyright: Text © 1987, CRC Publications
• ONE LICENSE: 120895

Tune Information

• Name: ST. MATTHEW
• Meter: CMD
• Key: B♭ Major

Text Information:

A celebration of the prosperity and triumphs of God's anointed (Messiah).

Scripture References:
st. 1 = vv. 1-3
st. 2 = vv. 4-7
st. 3 =vv. 8-13

The people praise God for blessing the anointed king with wealth, long life, and victories (st. 1-2) and assure the king of future triumphs because he trusts in the faithful God of Israel (st. 3). Whereas Psalm 20 looks forward to an impending battle, this psalm celebrates blessings bestowed and victories won and what these promise for the future–a future Christians call the great Day of the Lord. Marie J. Post (PHH 5) versified this psalm in 1985 for the Psalter Hymnal.

Liturgical Use:
Celebrations of the triumphant march of Christ's kingdom; particularly appropriate for Easter and Ascension.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

ST. MATTHEW was published in the Supplement to the New Version of Psalms by Dr. Brady and Mr. Tate (1708), where it was set to Psalm 33 and noted as a new tune. The editor of the Supplement, William Croft (PHH 149), may be the composer of ST. MATTHEW. One of the longer British psalm tunes, it has a fine mix of larger and stepwise intervals. It bears forceful or even jubilant singing with one broad beat per measure. If taken at a brisk tempo (c. dotted half = 50), consider holding the last note of every long phrase an extra measure to provide a breathing space between sentences.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook