The 20 th Psalm is a prayer for the king going forth to the conflict, a prayer for David; better still, a prayer for great David's greater Son. The 21 st Psalm is a song of victory for the returning conqueror, it is a Te Deum, as the king has triumphed, and has returned from the conflict to enjoy the congratulations of his loyal subjects.
Psalms 20:1. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
This is a prayer for David, a prayer for Jesus, and a prayer for every child of God: «Jehovah hear thee in the day of trouble.» What dost thou want? Remember that the Lord gives thee this promise, «Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.» «The name of the God of Jacob defend thee.» The God that took care of Jacob when he slept with a stone for his pillow; the God that guarded him when he was a stranger in a strange land, and brought him home again; the God that wrestled with him at Jabbok, the God that made all things work for him, instead of against him, as he feared, «the name» the character, the attributes, the glory «of the God of Jacob defend thee;»
Psalms 20:2. Send thee help from the sanctuary,
«Help from the holy place, help from the sprinkled blood, help from the mercy-seat, help from the golden pot that had the manna, help from Aaron's rod that budded, help from him that shone between the cherubim, send thee help from the Holy of Holies,»
Psalms 20:2. And strengthen thee out of Zion;
That is to say, with his own power, his own glory, which he manifests in the midst of his people.
Psalms 20:3. Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
This God did to his dear Son, and this he is prepared to do to all his people. Whenever we give anything to the cause of God, we ought to do it with all that solemnity and all that willingness which was seen in God's own people in the olden time; remembering that it is to him we bring it; and the chief point for our consideration is, «Will he accept it?»
Psalms 20:4. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel.
We cannot pray this for everybody. We do pray it for Christ, and we pray it for the Lord's sanctified people, that he may grant them the desire of their heart, and fulfill their counsel.
Psalms 20:5. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions.
What a wonderful prayer this is! May it be granted to each of you! «The Lord fulfill all thy petitions.»
Psalms 20:6-9. 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. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD:
Or, «Hosanna.»
Psalms 20:9. Let the king hear us when we call.
Now turn to the Psalm of victory. It corresponds very beautifully with the litany which we have just been reading.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 20:1. and 21.