Psalms 20 – Rely on God for victory in life

Psalms 20 and 21 complement each other. Psalm 20 is a song of prayer that was probably sung before Israel went into battle against their enemies. Psalm 21, on the other hand, is a song of praise sung after victory had been secured in the battle. The superscript tells us that David had written both the Psalms to the choir director. And both Psalms are Messianic in orientation. When exactly did David write Psalm 20 cannot be determined, but it could well be composed when the Israelites were engaged in warfare with their enemies. A quick scan of the structure will tell us that the people was expressing their desire for victory over their enemies. This psalm is an expression of the confidence David had in God.

Verses 1-5 contain the prayer of the people for David. Apparently, the king here was offering a sacrifice to God as he was preparing himself to lead the people into the battle against their enemies. These first five verses detail the entreaty the people had for him. Their desire was for God to bless their king and grant success to him. They asked God to hear their prayers, defend their king, and from His sanctuary would strengthen him for the battle. They asked that God remember the king’s sacrifice and accept his offering by granting him his desire for victory. Their wish was also for God to help the king to realize his plan and answer the king’s own request for help.  

Even as the people expressed their prayer to God, the king would make his response by expressing his confidence in God. He was sure that God would help him and from His holy heaven, would hear his prayer. Not only that, God would also accompany him into battle with the might of His right hand. He was assured that the enemy would fall while God would enable His own people to stand upright. That’s because they trusted in God while the enemies trusted in their weapons. The Psalmist concluded by expressing the call of the people to God to save them, and answer their call for help.

We must be assured that as God had helped His people, He will also help us in our daily conflict. As we offer ourselves as living sacrifices acceptable to Him, we can face our encounters confidently. By faith let us appropriate the victory He will grant to us. Take the counsel of Proverbs 3:5-6 to heart: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”