Psalm 21 (20):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He sought life from You. He requested resurrection when he proclaimed, ‘Father, glorify your Son. You bestowed upon him everlasting life for all ages.' This signifies the enduring life of the present age, which the Church possesses, along with the promise of eternal life forever and ever.

He prayed for life, and You granted him eternal days; in other words, he obtained what he sought and was given the life he longed for. The phrase "for the ages of ages" additionally refers to the eternal existence that is characterized by its unchanging nature.

The Lord declares that Hezekiah has been granted not only triumph but also health and vitality, ensuring he would neither succumb to his adversaries nor perish from his illness. This dual blessing is significant. The Lord affirms He has bestowed upon Hezekiah not just life, but a life that endures through the ages. When David writes "in the age of ages," he alludes to a future everlasting existence, though at times he reflects on the vastness of the current era or the steadfastness and constancy of the subject at hand. This is articulated as: You have granted him life, a long life, and days of steadfastness. However, if one comprehends this as also referring to a life to come, this interpretation is close to the truth.

He also speaks of humanity's redemption: He sought life from You, and You granted him everlasting existence, demonstrating that the Father of all creation bestows upon those who are redeemed the gift of eternal dwelling. For life does not originate from ourselves or from our own nature but is bestowed by the grace of God. Therefore, anyone who upholds this precious gift of life and expresses gratitude to the One who granted it will be granted prolonged days for all eternity. Conversely, anyone who rejects this gift and manifests ingratitude toward the Creator for their very existence, failing to acknowledge the Source, will forfeit their place in the ages to come.

The everlasting Source of Life inquired of the individual who was aware of the situation. For, in the state of death, he recognized the essence of life and a duration of existence that transcended mere old age, enduring eternally.

This verse strongly affirms our earlier statement that this psalm is not solely about David. Although David lived to a ripe old age and departed this world having experienced a full life, the duration of his existence does not extend to the infinite time frame suggested here. Additionally, if we consider the period from the beginning of David's reign to the Babylonian exile, we find no such longevity among his descendants. Thus, it is evident that David is referring to the eternal King, whom he envisioned in his heart. There is a profound juxtaposition here between the lowly and troubled origins of David's reign and the astonishing glory that followed, which God elevated to a status almost beyond the heavens.

God the Father granted life to Christ by resurrecting Him from the grave to a life free from death. This eternal existence endures without limit.