Psalms 20:1 - Meaning and Application

This prayer for David is called a psalm of David. It was no mistake for one who was inspired by God to give the congregation a set prayer to use for himself and for those in authority under him. It is also fitting for people who want the prayers of their friends to tell them exactly what they would like God to do for them. Even good and important people, who know very well how to pray for themselves, should not look down on the prayers of others. They should earnestly want those prayers, even when the people praying are lower in rank than they are. Paul often asked his friends to pray for him.

Leaders and people in authority should value and encourage praying people. They should count such people as a real strength (Zec 12:5, Zec 12:10). They should do what they can for them, so that they may have a share in their prayers and do nothing to lose that. Here we should notice what they are taught to ask God for on the king’s behalf.

They ask that God would answer David’s prayers. “The Lord hear you in the day of trouble” (Psa 20:1), and “the Lord fulfill all your requests” (Psa 20:5). Even the greatest people can face deep trouble. David often had days of trouble, when he met disappointment, distress, pressure, and confusion. Neither his crown nor the grace in his heart kept him from trouble. Even the greatest people must also be people of prayer. David was busy and he was a man of war, yet he was steady in devotion. He had prophets, priests, and many good people among his subjects who prayed for him, but he did not think that excused him from praying for himself. No one should expect help from the prayers of the church, ministers, or friends if they can pray for themselves but neglect it. The prayers of others should support our own prayers, not replace them. Happy is the people that have praying rulers, to whom they can truly say, Amen.

They also ask that God would protect David’s person and preserve his life in the dangers of war. “The name of the God of Jacob defend you,” that is, put you beyond the reach of your enemies. Let God, by his providence, keep you safe, the same God who preserved Jacob in his trouble. David had strong men as guards, but he and his people commit him to the care of the almighty God. Let God, by his grace, keep him calm and free from fear. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower” (Pro 18:10). The righteous run into it by faith and are safe. May David be helped to shelter himself there, as he has done many times before.

They ask that God would help him in his public work. In the day of battle, may God send him help from the sanctuary and strength from Zion. This is not help from ordinary providence alone, but help tied to the ark of the covenant and to God’s special favor for his chosen people Israel. They ask God to help him in keeping his promises and answering the prayers offered in the sanctuary. Mercies from the sanctuary are the sweetest mercies, because they are signs of God’s special love, the blessing of God, even our own God. Strength from Zion means spiritual strength, strength in the soul, strength in the inner person. That is what we should most want for ourselves and others, both in service and in suffering.

They ask that God would show his gracious approval of the sacrifices David offered with his prayers, according to the law of that time, before he went out on a dangerous mission. “The Lord remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifices” (Psa 20:3). In other words, may the Lord give you the victory and success you asked for with prayer and sacrifice, and so give proof that he accepted the sacrifice as clearly as if he had kindled it with fire from heaven. In this way we now know that God accepts our spiritual sacrifices when his Spirit kindles a holy fire of devotion and love in our hearts, and makes our hearts burn within us.

They also ask that God would crown all David’s plans and good designs for the public good with the success he desired (Psa 20:4). “The Lord grant you according to your own heart.” They could pray this in faith, because they knew David was a man after God’s own heart and would aim at nothing except what pleased God. Those who make it their work to honor God may expect that God will, in one way or another, satisfy them. Those who walk in his counsel may trust that he will fulfill their plans. You may make a plan, and it will be established for you.

Then comes the confidence that these prayers would receive a peaceful answer (Psa 20:5). “We will rejoice in your salvation.” That may mean, “We who are subjects will rejoice in the safety and success of our king.” Or it may mean, “We will rejoice in your salvation, O God, in your power and promise to save. That is what we now rely on, and that is what we will greatly rejoice in when we see the outcome.” Those who keep their eyes on the salvation of the Lord will have hearts filled with the joy of that salvation.

“In the name of our God we will set up our banners.” This means, “We will go to war in his name. We will make sure our cause is right and that his glory is our goal in every campaign. We will ask for his guidance, take him with us, follow his direction, seek his help, depend on it, and leave the outcome to him.” David went against Goliath in the name of the Lord of hosts (1Sa 17:45). It also means, “We will celebrate our victories in his name.” When we raise banners in triumph and set up trophies, it should be in the name of our God. He must receive all the glory for our success, and no human instrument should take the honor that belongs to him.

When we sing this, we should offer God our sincere good wishes for the government under which we live, and for its success. But we may also look farther. These prayers for David point forward to Christ, the Son of David, and in him they were fully answered. He took up the work of our redemption and made war against the powers of darkness. In the day of trouble, when his soul was deeply sorrowful, the Lord heard him, and heard him because he feared (Heb 5:7). He sent him help from the sanctuary and sent an angel from heaven to strengthen him. God also took notice of his offering when he made his soul an offering for sin, and accepted his burnt sacrifice, turning it to ashes. The fire that should have fallen on the sinner fell on the sacrifice, and God was pleased with it.

God granted him according to his own heart. He showed him the result of his sufferings, to his full satisfaction. He prospered the work he had chosen to do. He fulfilled all his petitions for himself and for us. The Father always hears him, and his intercession always succeeds.