The Deliverer (Psalm 20)

Introduction

I have been working through a book to help me pray better called the practice of prayer by Robby and Khandi Gallaty. It is a very good book. It helps you to examine scripture and pray scripture examine your heart and your relationship with God through Christ. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their prayer practices. And possibly help improve their relationship with their Lord.

Point One: Cry Out for Help

Psalm 20:1-3

Psalm 20:1 “May the Lord answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob’s God protect you.”

Apparently when this Psalm was written there was some turmoil taking place in the kingdom. But while we assume this is David crying out some commentators say it could be David recounting the country crying out for him. Willem Vangeremen says,

But now that the “distress” is here, they invoke the “name of the God of Jacob” to protect the king. “The God of Jacob” is a reference to the Redeemer who delivered Jacob (= Israel) from Egypt (Exod 19:3–4) and who has promised to deal justly with his people (cf. Ps 146:5–10). The “name of the God of Jacob” is Yahweh, as he revealed it to Moses (Exod 3:14–15; 6:2–3). He is the God who promised to bring about all the promises made to the patriarchs, and one of these is the protection of his people: “I will surely bless you.… Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies” (Gen 22:17).

VanGemeren, Willem A. 1991. “Psalms.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, 5:188. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

So these first several verse as I have come to understand have been said by the people on the kings behalf. Pastor James Montgomery Boice said,

It would seem, therefore, that the first stanza (vv. 1–5) was to be uttered by the people on the king’s behalf; the second stanza (vv. 6–8) was to be spoken by an individual, probably a priest, assuring the people that their prayers are answered; and the final verse or stanza (v. 9) again was to be spoken by the entire people as a summary and farewell petition, probably as the king marched off to battle.

Boice, James Montgomery. 2005. Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

So how has the Lord answered you in your day of trouble and how has the God of Jacob protected you? He is a great and mighty God who has done many a wonderful things and kept me in so many ways I am not sure I have to the time to speak on it all. From my shameful adolescence to a wild early young adulthood.

Psalm 20:2 “May he send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion.”

This is the second of Six “may’s” asking for a blessing upon not only the king but possibly the nation as well. This verse tells us of the help that will come from the Lord. It speaks powerfully into the lives of those who would pay attention. It says MAY HE (being the Lord God of Israel) send you help from the sanctuary. It is almost like the Psalmist is repeating himself. By speaking about the sanctuary and Zion. Zion was God’s holy hill. The Lord himself will be the sustainer of David as he goes into battle. Just as the days of old God will make a way for the Israelites to get by.

Psalm 20:3 “May he remember all your offerings and accept your burnt offering. Selah”

I like the way one version say it. It says “May he remember every gift you have given him and celebrate every sacrifice of love you have shown him. Pause in his presence” There is just something about the way it is said in that translation that makes me pause and think just a little bit more.

May he remember every gift you have given him and celebrate every sacrifice of love you have shown him. Let that sink in for a bit. A God who has no memory loss is said to remember every gift you have given him. What have you given him? Do you give anything? Your time? TALENTS? POSSESSIONS? FINANCES? Am I stepping on a few toes I would love to apologize but the Lord doesn’t. He steps on toes unashamedly. Simmons, Brian, trans. 2017. The Passion Translation. BroadStreet Publishing.

Now The Burnt offering was a sacrifice made with a pure heart and the Lord knew whether or not the person making the sacrifice was in the right condition to make the offering or not. So how do you approach the Lord? Is it with a contrite heart or one puffed up with pride and arrogance?

Point Two: Confidence in God's Power

Psalm 20:4-6

Psalm 20:4 “May he give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose.”

Our hearts desires need be that of the Lord Himself. To do what he would have us do. And be satisfied with nothing less. We know that this promise may be granted to us as long as we line our hearts up with his and do his will as he does the will of the Father who sent him. James Montgemery Boice says of this verse and verse 5 that “

Psalms, Volume 1: (Psalms 1–41): An Expositional Commentary Prayer for the King

As I say, these words are directed to the king more than to God. Yet they really are prayers in spite of their form, since the people clearly want God to deliver, protect, and bless their monarch and are obviously echoing his prayers for these things.

I think I can see how he feels that way. Look really close at the verse are the people speaking to God or to the king? To the king right?

Psalm 20:5 “Let us shout for joy at your victory and lift the banner in the name of our God. May the Lord fulfill all your requests.”

Again, we see that the people are still talking to the king and not necessarily to the Lord himself. It is almost as though they are talking at God instead of to God. Do we ever do that. Tell God what he should do and how it should be done type of things.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Elijah experienced a profound moment with God. After fleeing to a cave, he found God's presence not in the wind, earthquake, or fire but in a gentle whisper. It was a powerful reminder that God desires a personal relationship, inviting us not to just recite prayers but to engage deeply and meaningfully, listening as much as we speak.

How much are we listening for the whisper of God to speak to us or are we especially me waiting for a LOUD booming voice from heaven to come and speak into my life? I like many people need to learn to sit and be quiet and listen for the still small voice that tells us the will of the Lord. He still speaks if we are willing to be quiet and listen. Many times we get in our own way of the Lord speaking to us. What has the Lord wanted to speak to you about lately and you have been just a little too busy to slow down and listen, or maybe he was speaking and you hardened your heart towards what he spoke. Let him mold and use a pliable heart. And then the Lord can fulfill all your requests because they should be in line with his will not just yours.

Psalm 20:6 “Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories from his right hand.”

“Now I know” can also be rendered “ I have come to the conclusion” that the Lord gives victory to his anointed. The author realizes that it is not in his strength or his power but it is only in the the Lord and the one he has selected for victory is the one who is going to win. He goes on to say “he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories form his right hand.” The King is certain that his help will come from heaven. Where God alone grants him victories with is right hand.

At work, you may encounter challenges with colleagues or overwhelming responsibilities. Remember that God, seated at His right hand, has authority over every situation. Use your lunch break to pray about a specific issue you're facing—whether it’s a difficult coworker, a workload that feels insurmountable, or a moral dilemma. Ask for His strength to help you respond with grace and wisdom, and see how that perspective change fuels your professional resilience.

Point Three: Trust in His Name

Psalm 20:7-9

Psalm 20:7 “Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God.”

Here we see the author showing that, while other nations take pride in chariots and horses which was forbidden in the book of Deut. Chapter 17 vs 16. Deuteronomy 17:16 “However, he must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire many horses, for the Lord has told you, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’” and Isaiah 31:1 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and who depend on horses! They trust in the abundance of chariots and in the large number of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel, and they do not seek the Lord.”

That however is not what was taking place with this author. He was saying how he trusted in the Lord and not in other things. How easy is it to put our trust in to the things of this life? For me it can be very easy to slip into trusting that if I work hard enough I will make ends meet. Which is not always easy let me tell you. However, I have come to learn this much in all my years of walking with Christ. Trust him and seek his will first. His kingdom and his ways. And things tend to go smoother usually.

Psalm 20:8 “They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm.”

Most of the time in military context when we hear of falling it means to death. So the Israelite opponents would collapse and fall to their demise. But for Isreal, they would rise and stand firm at the Occassion. What is a battle in your life that the Lord has defeated that allows you to rise and stand firm. If you are a Christian I know of One. The defeat of sin and death. You see none of us is perfect. In fact all of us are sinners born that way and choose that way Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;” and by being sinners there is price to pay Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Christ paid that cost on the cross of Calvary. Romans 5:8 “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” and what we must do is admit to ourselves and God that we need a savior Romans 10:9–10 “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:13 “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” That’s it ladies and gentlemen. If we don’t follow the True KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. We too will collapse and fall for eternity.

Psalm 20:9 “Lord, give victory to the king! May he answer us on the day that we call.”

Then the people cry out basically O Lord Save the King. It is like the people crying out God save King Jesus. So he may answer us on the day that we call. In the end Christ wins as do we he hears our call and he is not only saved but he saves us from the pit of muck and mire. No more sin no more shame. All Hail King Jesus the Victor. THE DELIVERER!