3908.) Psalm 20

Psalm 20   (NRSV)

Prayer for Victory

The picture is that of King David before battle, at the tabernacle of God, offering prayers and sacrifices. 

With the eye of faith, we see that this also speaks to the great battle fought by one greater than King David — by Jesus, the Son of David and the King of Kings. We can see this prayer being offered prophetically for Jesus as He pointed Himself toward the cross, where He would fight the greatest battle against sin, death, and Satan’s power.

–David Guzik

¹The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

²May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion.

³May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. Selah

⁴May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans.

Isaiah 26:8 (NLT)

Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws;
our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.

When our desires are in accord with the plan and will of God for us, we can pray this same prayer with confidence. We can also look for God to bring our desires more and more into conformity with His, in the course of Christian growth.

⁵May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Here the raising of the banners signifies God’s victory over the enemies.

⁶Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand.

⁷Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:  but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”  — Psalm 20:7 (King James Version)

Proverbs 18:10  ESV

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
    the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

⁸They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright.

⁹Give victory to the king, O Lord; answer us when we call.

“This is the language of faith, not after the battle, but before it.”

–J. Campbell Morgan

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Music:

HERE  is “My Heart’s Desire” by the Newsboys.

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The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Images courtesy of:

verse 4 with a rock.   https://dailyverses.net/psalms/20/4

verse 4 with clouds.   https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f6/f2/79/f6f279c33e2fc6f0261312238f9e5523.jpg

Roman chariot.  https://www.ancientsculpturegallery.com/roman-chariot-marble-sculpture-1639357794.html/