Psalm 20

David.
¹ May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
² May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
³ May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah
⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
⁵ We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.
⁶ Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
⁹ O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!

Webster defines prayer as: an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought, or an earnest request or wish. In this Psalm David makes seven requests for Israel:

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress.

May the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

Answer us when we call.

He is praying but he is also trusting in the Lord’s name.

Verse four “may he give you the desire of your heart” is a verse that is difficult to understand. Reflect upon these questions:

What are your heart’s desires?

Are my desires good for me?

Are my desires godly desires?

Does God pick and choose the desires I receive?