PSALM 20----VICTORY OVER OUR ENEMIES

 PSALM 20

VICTORY OVER OUR ENEMIES

1) The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

2) Sent thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

3) Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

4) Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.

5) 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.

6) Now know I that the LORD saves His anointed; He will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.

7) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:  but we will remember the Name of the LORD our God.

8) They are brought down and fallen:  but we are risen, and stand upright.

9) Save, LORD:  let The King hear us when we call.     King James Version (KJV) Public Domain modified by me

COMMENTARY

   I am working with commentary from Matthew Henry, David Guzik, and Charles H. Spurgeon to study this Psalm.  I don't normally focus my prayers on myself but I see that Matthew Henry encourages us to, and to tell others what to ask God for when we ask others to pray for us.  I did do this recently.  I had an entire battalion of prayer warriors say they would pray for me.

1) King David was about to engage Israel into battle.  The citizens came to pray for his success.  This is actually putting it mildly, because the language in this Psalm is intense.  The people were earnestly praying for him, as we see God's Name repeated but in different forms:  the LORD, God With Us; the Name of the God of Jacob (which is Israel).

2) The people asked for help to be sent A) from the sanctuary (where the Ark of the Covenant is and where God sits and the center of Israel's worship); and B) strength out of Zion, referring to the hills of Jerusalem, which speaks of spiritual strength/to strengthen his soul.

3) The offering here is a "gratitude offering".  I am always saying thank you to my LORD but this is the first time I have seen mention of a "gratitude offering".  The burnt sacrifice is what King David would have offered before battle.   "Selah" is believed to be a "reflective pause" so we can reflect on the words just spoken.

4) When Christians are living in God's will, this is an easy prayer for them.  As we grow in faith, God's  will becomes our will.  He is to be on the throne of our lives and we are to serve His purpose.

5) We fly His banner in defiance of our enemies and in faith of His victory.  In God we trust; we have confidence in His victory.  

6) God will hear from on high the prayers of the people; and with His mighty right hand, will save him.

7) We live by faith and not by sight.  We don't put our trust in chariots and horses, but in the God Who created all things.  We are His children; and He takes care of us.  If we have not, it is because we ask not.

8) Our enemies fall but we are victorious in the LORD.

9) This is a declaration of victory, even before the battle has begun.

How do you feel about this Psalm?  Do you have a saving relationship with the God of Creation?  Click here for more information:   https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.

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