Psalm 20 Confident Prayers By God's People Bring Blessing

This Psalm is a prayer of King David and as such, it is a prayer for all believers in Christ to pray.

When we pray to God what He says to us in His Word, then we can be assured that we will receive attention from our heavenly Father.

Psalm 20:1-3  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2  Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; 3  Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. 

This psalm beautifully expresses the Jewish people praying for their king.

Their hope is that whatever battle David is preparing to undertake, that Jehovah will hear him and will strengthen their king.

It is a beautiful prayer of the people of God in the Old Testament lifting up their king in prayer to the throne of God, appealing for divine assistance.

The word ”trouble” seems to indicate that David faced challenging difficulties or danger. 

He may well have been ready to go forth to battle in order to protect Israel from their enemies. 

All the people lifted up voices of encouragement and prayers that their sacrifices might be accepted, and that David would receive the help from God that he needed.  

When the name of God is invoked in this manner, it refers to God Himself. 

It expresses the spiritual reality that God Himself is with them and that He will never forsake His children.

Lifting up the name of God is extolling His character, power, majesty, lovingkindness and glory.

Psalm 5:11-12  But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12  For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. 

Previously, King David reminded all who trust in Jehovah for salvation, to shout for joy because He has provided it.

The redeemed people of God in any generation, can look all the way back to Adam and Eve and remember that God will deliver the repentant believers from their sins.

Thus, we pray because we know that when we ask for something in accord with God's will, He will answer us.

We know that God will spread His grace or favor around His children like a protective shield.

Psalm 9:9-10  The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10  And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Again, David reminds us that our LORD is indeed a shelter in times of life's storms, and a place of safety and refuge.

Those who know His name put full trust and confidence in the LORD.

This is the same kind of prayer that the people are making in Psalm 20, on behalf of King David.

It would be so reassuring to know that the people of God are praying for us when we have a time of need, or sorrow, or hardship.

Certainly their prayers encouraged David in this circumstance.

Psalm 20:4-5  Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. 5  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.  

Hear the faithful Jews of David's day raise their voices in prayer and supplication to the throne of grace, for they prayed to the One, True, Living God who created all things.

They besought the LORD with all their heart to grant to David all that the king desired and all that he requested of Him.

As for the people, which would include believers today, they rejoiced in God's salvation, knowing that He alone can deliver us from sin and He alone can save us from our enemies.

It is why the Jews embroidered the name of God upon banners bearing His name, so that the LORD was lifted up for all to see. 

His name remind us of our great God and His constant provision, protection and presence.

Faith is shown in that the people prayed for the LORD to grant all their petitions and requests on behalf of King David.

Psalm 20:6  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. 

The concluding section of the Psalm is David's prayer.

David was anointed king of Israel by the priest, prophet and judge name Samuel.

David knew how God graciously anointed him to be their king.

In addition, the LORD gave an expanded promise that He will keep with David.

After Nathan the prophet delivered this blessed message from God, David went into the house of the LORD and sat before Him.

2 Samuel 7:18-19  Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 19  And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? 

David was utterly overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy and he bowed his head in reverence, awe and worshiped his God.

I suggest you read all of 2 Samuel 7 as the narrative is stunning in its beautiful account of what God said and what David said to the LORD.

Thus, David knew he was anointed by Jehovah to be Israel's king and he knew it was a gracious blessing from God.

David knew that the LORD would hear him pray from His throne in heaven and that He would be favorable to the king's requests and needs.

Salvation through repentance for sin and faith in Christ is secure and eternally kept by the power of God.

Also, this phrase "the LORD saveth His anointed" is also applied to Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

1 Samuel 16:12-13  And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. 

This is the text that tells us about the first anointing of David as Israel's king.

Take note of what the inspired scripture says about David.

"The Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward." 

During of time of the judges, the Spirit of God came upon them to empower them to deliver Israel from bondage, and then He departed.

David received God's Spirit for the remainder of his life.

This is why David is called a man after God's own heart  and why he was the sweet Psalmist of Israel.

Psalm 20:7-8  Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8  They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. 9  Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call. 

King David was a model king and he never stooped to seek help by making an alliance with the Egyptians, or any other pagan nation.

Why? Because David knew that his hope was in the LORD. He consistently put his trust and hope in the LORD and did not waver.

Many other kings after David did actually seek help from other nations instead of relying upon the LORD and God sent His prophets to rebuke their lack of faith and trust.

Those who trust in military strength from ungodly nations are doomed to failure because the LORD will not bless His people if they do not trust Him in spiritual warfare or in hard times.

Deuteronomy 20:1-4  When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 2  And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, 3  And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; 4  For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. 

David's closing portion of this Psalm lines up perfectly with the instruction the LORD gave His people as they prepared to enter the promised land under Joshua's leadership.

May we learn to trust the LORD more each day from this Psalm.

May we resist following man's counsel in times of crisis and instead, seek the LORD with all our heart.

May we pray to the LORD with conviction, humility and joy, knowing that our Father in heaven is receptive to our prayers and that His grace is sufficient for all our needs.

Bob