Psalm 20

David

1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfills all thy counsel.

5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfills all thy petitions.

6 Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call. (KJV)

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 reads from the NIV “may he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” 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?

David is composing these words as a man after God’s own heart. Our desires in life should follow Paul’s instructions from Philippians 4:8,9 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; and if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you.” (KJV) As a believer the words that Paul pinned to the Philippians should be a guide for our heart’s desire. When we make the things in Philippians 4:8,9 as the desire of our hearts then we will have the peace of heart that the God of peace will give to all who seek Him with a whole heart.