How can we reconcile the description of Prophet David (peace be upon him) as "the most devout of people" with the preference of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) over all creation, and that he was the most devout and most fearful of Allah among them?

The Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the most devout and the best of all people, absolutely, and scholars have unanimously agreed upon this. Describing David (peace be upon him) as the most devout of people means that he was the most devout person of his time, or that he was among the most devout people, and this does not contradict the superiority of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).