Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 20

The Formula For Victory

Psalm 20 is a prayer before the battle and it is wonderful example of how we should pray for our leaders. If more Christians prayed for our president instead of belittling him, our country would find itself in a much better position. But we should pray for the leaders in our lives at every level, especially in the church. There are three basic elements of a successful battle for God’s people and this psalm presents them.

First, as alluded to above, we must be a praying people. Notice the things prayed for in this psalm. It is a prayer of blessings to come to the one being prayed for.

Psalm 20:1-5

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!  May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!  May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!

Next the psalmist is praising God and showing where his faith is. It is in God not in the physical weapons of the king.

Psalm 20:6-8
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.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.  They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.

The third and final element of success to God’s people is our King, Jesus.

Psalm 20:9
O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call.

We must become a people of prayer. We must become a people of faith, faith in God, not man. We must become a people of Christ. This is the formula for success against our enemies. Paul reminds us of the power of God’s mighty hand of protection.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?