Praying Psalm 20

What is the title of Psalm 20? To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

Read Psalm 20:1-3

1 Let/May YHWH answer you in the day of trouble! Let/May the name of the God of Jacob set you on high (protect)!
² May he send you help (one who helps) from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
³ May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor (find fat) your burnt sacrifices! Selah

To whom is the psalmist speaking? King, anointed one

What is he asking? He is asking for things to be done. Answer, protection, help, support, remember offerings – he does these things on behalf of the people.

Read Psalm 20:4-5
⁴ May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans/counsel!
⁵ May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May YHWH  fulfill all your petitions!

What does he continue to ask?
Let God give the King: hearts desire, plans & counsels. AND When the king is leading well, people are happy.

**BUT – is every "heart's desire" equal?? What about a king with a selfish "heart's desire"? READ Bonhoeffer,  Psalms: The Prayerbook of the Bible, "Teach us to pray".

Read 20:6-8

⁶ 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.
⁷ Some in chariots and some in horses, but we cause to remember in the name of YHWH our God.
⁸ They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright/ are restored.

What is SURE to the Psalmist?

NOW I KNOW (v.6) – there is a tone change from the beginning of the psalm. He knows that YHWH delivers.
We know the history of our God – we know about deliverance and salvation for his special people.
We see the difference in trusting in “vain” things (chariots and horses) vs. trusting in YHWH.
This leads to a right confession of faith.

Read 20:9
⁹ O Lord, save the king! May he answer us when(in the day) we call.

What is the prayer?
Save the king – This is a prayer for God’s appointed leader.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?

What is the purpose of this Psalm/prayer?

Prayer for king/leader.
Confession of salvation – trust in YHWH

How does Christ fulfill this psalm?

Our leaders may or may not follow God's Word. We still pray they will. Even more important - WE KNOW – YHWH delivers. We saw this in God's history, climaxing in Christ's resurrection - the ultimate deliverance from death for all people.

How can we pray this?

Because he lives – we don’t trust in horses/chariots/ strong things of this world…

Because he lives – we will rise up and will be restored.

Because he lives - we pray YHWH continues to advance his kingdom by preaching word and giving his gifts!!

WE PRAY:
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

How is this done? When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good will.