The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.
Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.
Psalms 20 offers a powerful glimpse into the heart of a nation preparing for war, intertwining the prayers of the people with the king's unwavering trust in God. It’s a psalm that resonates across time, speaking to our own battles and the source of true victory. This psalm serves as a prayer before battle, while Psalms 21 celebrates victory after battle.
Context: On the Eve of Battle
David likely composed this psalm as he entered the tabernacle to pray before engaging in battle. The atmosphere is weighty with anticipation, a stark contrast to the jubilant tone of Psalms 21. We can imagine the scene: King David, surrounded by his people, seeking divine intervention before facing the enemy. In some ways, it mirrors Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-44), where He wrestled with the immense burden before Him, praying for deliverance.
A Nation United in Prayer (Psalms 20:1-5)
The psalm opens with the assembled people offering a fervent prayer for their king, David, during the "day of trouble" (Psalms 20:1). They implore God to answer him, to provide support both "from the sanctuary" (spiritual strength) and "from Zion" (military aid, Jerusalem as a stronghold). This demonstrates a holistic understanding of God's provision, encompassing both the spiritual and the practical.
Their prayer is specific and heartfelt: that God would remember all David's offerings and accept his burnt sacrifices (Psalms 20:3). This highlights the importance of atonement and seeking God's favor before embarking on any endeavor. The people's desire is that God would grant David his heart's desire and fulfill all his plans (Psalms 20:4). This reflects their trust in David's leadership and their belief that his plans align with God's will.
Anticipating victory, the people declare their intention to rejoice in God's triumph and raise their banners in His name (Psalms 20:5). They understand that David's victory would be a testament to God's power and faithfulness.
David's Confidence in God (Psalms 20:6-8)
Shifting from the people's prayer, David expresses his profound confidence in God. He proclaims, "Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand" (Psalms 20:6). David is assured that God has heard their prayers and will grant victory to His chosen king. The phrase "the saving might of his right hand" signifies God's immense power and strength in action.
David contrasts his reliance on God with the misplaced trust of other nations: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" (Psalms 20:7). Horses and chariots represent military might, the conventional symbols of power. However, David and his people place their faith in something far more potent and reliable: the very character, reputation, and sovereignty of God.
The outcome of these contrasting trusts is clear: "They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm" (Psalms 20:8). Those who rely on worldly power will crumble, while those who trust in God will be strengthened and stand victorious.
A Final Plea for Victory (Psalms 20:9)
The psalm concludes as it began, with the people's earnest prayer: "LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call!" (Psalms 20:9). This reinforces the collective dependence on God and their unwavering hope for deliverance.
Relevance for Today
Psalms 20 offers timeless lessons for believers facing challenges today. It reminds us:
- The importance of prayer: Like the Israelites, we should bring our concerns and requests to God, both individually and corporately.
- The source of true strength: We should not rely on our own abilities or worldly resources, but rather place our trust in God's power and faithfulness.
- The assurance of God's presence: Even in the midst of difficult times, we can be confident that God hears our prayers and will answer us according to His will.
Just as the people of Israel prayed for David's victory, we can pray for those in leadership positions and for God's kingdom to advance in our world. Ultimately, this psalm points us to the "Son of David," Jesus Christ, the ultimate King who has already secured victory over sin and death. We can follow Him by faith, trusting that He will reign in our lives and defeat all opposition. As we face the conflicts of life, we can be certain that our God is big enough to deal with them. The greater our focus on God, the greater our confidence in God.
The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.
Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.
Psalms 20 offers a powerful glimpse into the heart of a nation preparing for war, intertwining the prayers of the people with the king's unwavering trust in God. It’s a psalm that resonates across time, speaking to our own battles and the source of true victory. This psalm serves as a prayer before battle, while Psalms 21 celebrates victory after battle.
Context: On the Eve of Battle
David likely composed this psalm as he entered the tabernacle to pray before engaging in battle. The atmosphere is weighty with anticipation, a stark contrast to the jubilant tone of Psalms 21. We can imagine the scene: King David, surrounded by his people, seeking divine intervention before facing the enemy. In some ways, it mirrors Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-44), where He wrestled with the immense burden before Him, praying for deliverance.
A Nation United in Prayer (Psalms 20:1-5)
The psalm opens with the assembled people offering a fervent prayer for their king, David, during the "day of trouble" (Psalms 20:1). They implore God to answer him, to provide support both "from the sanctuary" (spiritual strength) and "from Zion" (military aid, Jerusalem as a stronghold). This demonstrates a holistic understanding of God's provision, encompassing both the spiritual and the practical.
Their prayer is specific and heartfelt: that God would remember all David's offerings and accept his burnt sacrifices (Psalms 20:3). This highlights the importance of atonement and seeking God's favor before embarking on any endeavor. The people's desire is that God would grant David his heart's desire and fulfill all his plans (Psalms 20:4). This reflects their trust in David's leadership and their belief that his plans align with God's will.
Anticipating victory, the people declare their intention to rejoice in God's triumph and raise their banners in His name (Psalms 20:5). They understand that David's victory would be a testament to God's power and faithfulness.
David's Confidence in God (Psalms 20:6-8)
Shifting from the people's prayer, David expresses his profound confidence in God. He proclaims, "Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand" (Psalms 20:6). David is assured that God has heard their prayers and will grant victory to His chosen king. The phrase "the saving might of his right hand" signifies God's immense power and strength in action.
David contrasts his reliance on God with the misplaced trust of other nations: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" (Psalms 20:7). Horses and chariots represent military might, the conventional symbols of power. However, David and his people place their faith in something far more potent and reliable: the very character, reputation, and sovereignty of God.
The outcome of these contrasting trusts is clear: "They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm" (Psalms 20:8). Those who rely on worldly power will crumble, while those who trust in God will be strengthened and stand victorious.
A Final Plea for Victory (Psalms 20:9)
The psalm concludes as it began, with the people's earnest prayer: "LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call!" (Psalms 20:9). This reinforces the collective dependence on God and their unwavering hope for deliverance.
Relevance for Today
Psalms 20 offers timeless lessons for believers facing challenges today. It reminds us:
- The importance of prayer: Like the Israelites, we should bring our concerns and requests to God, both individually and corporately.
- The source of true strength: We should not rely on our own abilities or worldly resources, but rather place our trust in God's power and faithfulness.
- The assurance of God's presence: Even in the midst of difficult times, we can be confident that God hears our prayers and will answer us according to His will.
Just as the people of Israel prayed for David's victory, we can pray for those in leadership positions and for God's kingdom to advance in our world. Ultimately, this psalm points us to the "Son of David," Jesus Christ, the ultimate King who has already secured victory over sin and death. We can follow Him by faith, trusting that He will reign in our lives and defeat all opposition. As we face the conflicts of life, we can be certain that our God is big enough to deal with them. The greater our focus on God, the greater our confidence in God.