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Presented, November 13, 2005 am

PSALM 20

MAY THE LORD DEFEND YOU

Tonight we continue our study of the psalms.  We now come to a short psalm by David offered as a prayer on behalf of his army for the Lord’s protection as they engage their enemies.  During his life, David fought many enemies of Israel and God.  As you study his life you find that the Lord was with him.  Exactly which battle David was praying for we don’t know, though some believe it to be the battle engaged in against the Ammonites and Syrians as recorded in 2 Samuel 10, but it doesn’t matter.  One reason David was not permitted to build the temple himself was because he was a man of war (1 Chronicles 28:3).  This is a demonstration of his trust in the Lord not only for himself, but for Jehovah’s cause even in very threatening situations such as war.  I read that this psalm has been used for the coronation of kings, etc.  At times with concern, especially when dealing with an ungodly king or leader.

There are definitely lessons for us to glean from it in our lives including some important thoughts concerning proper prayer.  Let us first notice the text and then some other lessons we can apply.

I.                     May the Lord answer you… (1-3)

a.        Note that this is a prayer for one’s friends.  We need to be praying for one another.
We often have brethren come forward asking for our prayers on their behalf and even more often they solicit our prayers privately.  Do we really pray for them as we ought to? When we promise to pray for them – do we carry through?  1 Thessalonians 5:25, James 5:16.

b.       “In the day of trouble” – especially in the difficult times, we need to remember each other.  Whether sickness, personal struggles or some difficult decision or situation that one is facing – don’t neglect to turn to God.  BUT don’t reserve your prayers exclusively for those time – praying always (Eph. 6:18).

c.        May the God of Jacob defend you (or set you up securely).
Why Jacob?  He was the father of the 12 sons who would comprise the 12 tribes.  It is another way of saying his request if on behalf of the entire nation.
There are times when as we face the world it seems hopeless and that we are alone – but God is there.

d.       May He send you help from His sanctuary, Zion – from heaven.  This is SPIRITUAL help.  Paul wisely observed, “I can do all things through Christ” – Philippians 4:13.
Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

e.        May He remember your offerings & sacrifices.  David is praying for the righteous, those who were faithfully serving God.  There is a sense in which we are to pray for all – but it is the godly that deserve our special attention.
Those who are offering to God “spiritual sacrifices” (1 Peter 2:5)
Those worshipping Him properly – John 4:24, Hebrews 13:15-16, “With such sacrifices…”
1 John 5:16 – we are not expected to pray God’s blessings upon one who refuses to repent.

II.                   May He grant your desires (4-5)

a.        WE ought to desire that God’s goodness prevail with our friends.  We rejoice with those who rejoice – Romans 12:15. 
Eph 6:24, “Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen”

b.       May He fulfill all your petitions – that is “may your purpose thrive” – IF IT BE according to His will. See James 4:15; 1 John 5:14-15; Matthew 26:39 - even Jesus understood this.
Note that the one here described is one who has put his trust in God and is striving to serve Him.  He has worshipped God and thus whatever he asks will be noble.

III.                 Now I know (6-8)

a.        The prayer of faith – James 1:5-6, 1 Timothy 2:8 – pray everywhere, without wrath and doubting
One of David’s strengths was his confidence that God would answer his prayers.

b.       He will answer and give you strength  - (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13)
2 Peter 2:9 – He know how to deliver the godly out of temptation
Romans 8:28, 36-39 – all things work together for good – i.e. He is in control.

c.        Those of the world trust in physical deliverance – we trust in the living God
Jeremiah 17:5 says, “Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD.”

d.       They have fallen, but we have risen and stand upright – this is WHY you trust in God.

IV.                Save, Lord! (9)

a.        He concludes again acknowledging his trust.

b.       “May the King answer us when we call.”  From this we can conclude that David’s prayer is offered AFTER the promise to establish his throne forever (i.e. 2 Samuel 7). 

c.        That is also our confidence – cf. 2 Peter 3:13 – we look for a new heaven and new earth.

V.                  Some Modern Applications

a.        God’s influence in nations – to what degree God affects the outcome of nations today we have no definite way of knowing – but we know that He can and in times past, He has had great influence toward them.  We learn that from studying the prophets as well as the history of Israel.  What happened was well chronicled, and often in prophecy.  We know He had a hand in bringing down the last great empire – Rome – for some of these same reasons. 
ALSO, we can learn from history in general that tyranny and ungodly nations generally will only thrive for so long before they fall.  That is why in America we ought to be concerned as we continue to call good evil and evil good, cf. Isaiah 5:20.

b.       We also ought to be concerned about desiring God’s favor as we confront our enemies. If we are going to fight for what is right, it better be for a righteous cause.  Romans 12:19-20
Israel learned early on not to go to battle with out first beseeching the Lord’s protection.  Consider their fall at Ai in Joshua 7:1-8.

c.        We need to be praying for our leaders – 1 Timothy 2:1-2.  In this psalm David is praying for God’s guidance & protection for their nation.  Understand that Israel was a theocracy meaning it was a nation which received its laws from a divine being – that is they submitted to the 10 commandments, the Law of Moses and the Levitical priesthood.  While there are some nations like this today (many of them Muslim) and the Catholic church seeks for a new world order in which all nations submit to the Pope and their catechisms, but the fact remains that most nations, including ours, are NOT theocratic.  At this time we are blessed to be in a nation where we can worship God as we please – but SLOWLY these rights are fading away and we need to be concerned.  We need to pray to God for our leaders according to 1 Timothy 2:1-2 – that we may lead quiet and peaceful lives – that is that we can worship God free of persecutions. 
We need to be praying for our leaders, both righteous and unrighteous.  The righteous so that they will continue to seek God’s guidance or at least reverence Him in what they do.  But more difficult is praying for the ungodly – but they need it more, and WE need to pray for our peace and quiet lives.

d.       Keep the things we have mentioned in mind concerning our spiritual warfare as well as we pray for one another in dealing with the forces of Satan.  2 Corinthians 10:3-6 – our warfare is spiritual.  Ephesians 6:18 prayer offered always as a part of our spiritual armor.