Psalms 20

Psalms 20:1

Psalm 20: The Name of the God of JacobThe nation is on the brink of war. Before leading his troops off into battle, King David has come to offer sacrifices. A multitude of loyal subjects are there to wish him success. In verses 1-5 we hear them praying that the Lord will protect him and give him victory. Encouraged by his people’s prayers, the king expresses confidence that Jehovah will intervene on his behalf (v. 6). His confidence overflows to the people, and their prayers are now mixed with assurance of deliverance (vv. 7-9). The People’s Prayer (20:1-5)20:1 On the eve of battle the people look to the LORD to answer the king in the approaching battle by turning back the enemy in crushing defeat. When they chant “May the name of the God of Jacob defend you,” they remind us that the name of God stands for the Person Himself. Three times in this Psalm we find references to that wonderful name: May the name of the God of Jacob defend you (v. 1). In the name of our God we will set up our banners (v. 5). We will remember the name of the LORD our God (v. 7). Williams aptly alliterates these allusions as: The Defending Name. The Displayed Name. The Delivering Name. 20:2 The source of the desired aid is specified. The sanctuary in Zion was the dwelling place of God on earth, and so it was reasonable to expect help from the sanctuary and support out of Zion. 20:3 The king’s faithful obedience in bringing offerings and burnt sacrifice is presented as a special reason why the Lord should remember him with favor. 20:4, 5 The king’s desire was that the Lord should crown his plans and purpose with success. Here his loving people pray that this will indeed be the outcome of the battle. They are already thinking of a great victory celebration, with hilarious joy and excitement as the news is announced and with banners whipping and snapping in the breeze in tribute to the name of their God. There is a question whether the words “May the LORD fulfill all your petitions” are spoken by the people, the priest, or the king. In any case it is a worthy prayer. The King’s Response (20:6)Buoyed by the prayerful interest of his people, the king rejoices in the knowledge that the LORD will indeed send all needed help from His holy heaven and intervene with marvelous displays of His infinite strength. The People’s Confident Prayer (20:7-9)20:7, 8 Such confidence is contagious. The devoted people, inspired by the assurance of their leader, are no longer awed by the vaunted military might of the enemy. Let him boast of his invulnerable chariots and battle-tested horses; Israel will boast in the name of the LORD! It is better to trust in Him than in arsenals of stockpiled weapons. At the glance of the Lord even the mightiest armies will crumple to the ground! But those who are on the Lord’s side will still stand upright when the smoke of battle has cleared away. 20:9 With this peace of mind, the people once again ask the LORD to give victory to the King, thereby answering their prayers for deliverance. ApplicationThe historical application of the Psalm may be found in David’s defeat of the Ammonites and Syrians (2Sa_10:14-19). But the Psalm may also be applied to the Lord Jesus as a prayer for His Resurrection. His believing people pray that God will indicate His own complete satisfaction with Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary by raising Him from the dead. As Messiah engages in conflict with Satan and his armies, He is confident of the final outcome. Psalms 20 anticipates the exultation of the first Easter morning. The Psalm can also be applied to missionaries moving out into Satan’s territory, or to any Christian striving to gain new ground for the Lord.