PSALM 20
The Battle Song of the Ages
This psalm is a prayer for a King about to go into battle. Although it was originally prayed for King David, God’s anointed, it is believed to be prophetic, pointing to Christ, God’s promised King and Messiah, which means "Anointed One," who would ultimately come, fight, and win the battle of the ages, as well as secure, by doing so, the salvation of the world.
PSLAM 20:1a
BIBLE TEXT: “The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble…” (Psalm 20:1b KJV)
BIBLE TWEET: Neither the drumbeat of the approaching day of trouble nor the drumroll on the actual day of trouble can drown out our prayers to our Lord.
BIBLE TAKEAWAY: Neither his crown from God nor consecration to God kept David from days of trouble in his turbulent time.
PSALM 20:1b
BIBLE TEXT: “…the name of the God of Jacob defend thee.” (Psalm 20:1b KJV)
BIBLE TWEET: The people of God, unlike the Athenians on Mars Hill (Acts 17:22-23), do not depend upon a false and unknown god for their deliverance, but upon the one and only true God, who they personally know by name.
BIBLE TAKEAWAY: It’s good to know that you need to call upon the name of God for deliverance, but even better when you know the name of the one and only true God upon whom you call.
PSALM 20:2-3
BIBLE TEXT: “Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.” (Psalm 20:2-3 KJV)
BIBLE TWEET: It is those who have offered themselves as a living sacrifice at God’s earthly sanctuary who may be sure of help and strength from God’s heavenly sanctuary. (Romans 12:1)
BIBLE TAKEAWAY: We cannot be sure of God’s helping hand in our life until we’ve handed over our life to God.
PSALM 20:4
BIBLE TEXT: “Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.” (Psalm 20:4 KJV)
BIBLE TWEET: Prerequisites to answered prayer are to pray for God to have His heart’s desire, not for you to have yours, and to pray according to God’s counsel, not according to your own.
BIBLE TAKEAWAY: Prayer is not bringing God over to your side—persuading Him to do what you want and what you think—but you going over to God’s side—partnering with Him in what He wants and in what He thinks.
PSALM 20:5-6
BIBLE TEXT: “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.” (Psalm 20:5-6 KJV)
BIBLE TWEET: We know we shall prevail before the battle begins and that our prayers shall be answered before we bow our heads.
BIBLE TAKEAWAY: In faith and without fear, the army of God not only unfurls its banners in the name of God, but also in the face of its foes.
PSALM 20:7
BIBLE TEXT: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7 KJV)
BIBLE TWEET: Sinners trust in their numbered legions, such as a political movement or a parading military, but the saints trust in the name of their Lord.
BIBLE TAKEAWAY: The most impressive assembly or intimidating army is no match for the invisible Almighty.
PSLAM 20:8
BIBLE TEXT: “They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” (Psalm 20:8 KJV)
BIBLE TWEET: The fighting forces of this world will one day be forever vanquished, but those who fight for the faith will one day be forever victorious. (Jude 1:3)
BIBLE TAKEAWAY: “The first thing I have to say is this: True Christianity is a fight.” (J. C. Ryle)
PSALM 20:9
BIBLE TEXT: “Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.” (Psalm 20:9 KJV)
BIBLE TWEET: This psalm, like the British national anthem, is a song for God to save the King. Though sung by Israel for King David, it will be sung forever by the New Israel of God for the King of Kings. (Galatians 6:16; Revelation 17:14)
BIBLE TAKEAWAY: During the coronation service of the King or Queen of England, when the crown is placed on the sovereign’s head, the Archbishop of Canterbury stipulates that it is his or hers to wear until He, to whom it rightfully and eternally belongs, comes back to claim it.