Psalm 20

A song of blessings for others (vs. 1-9)—Most of the verses in the psalm consist of blessings for the readers. The New King James Version simplifies the song by putting “may” before each desire. There are several of these. “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble” (v. 1). May He defend you (v. 1), send help from His sanctuary and strengthen us (v. 2), remember and accept our worship (v. 3), grant us our heart’s desires, and fulfill our purposes and petitions (vs. 4-5). Spliced into verses 4 and 5 are a statement of rejoicing and praise. Before a final “may” in verse 9, David expresses his unshakeable faith in the Almighty. I know Jehovah “saves His anointed,” and “will answer him from His holy heaven” (v. 6). Many men trust in the power of this world—“some trust in chariots and some in horses” (v. 7), but God’s people “remember the name of the Lord our God.” Verse 8 is a contrast. Those who indeed trust in their own strength “have bowed down and fallen;” those who trust the Lord “have risen and stand upright” (v. 8). A final plea: “Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call” (v. 9). David includes himself in that last verse. The word “may” could imply an element of doubt (the KJV and ASV use “let”), but David has already expressed his confidence that God will hear us when we pray. Always remember that these psalms are poems, songs put to music. They have certain Hebrew structures they must follow and thus very often express general truisms rather than absolutes. It is why building doctrinal positions from a verse in a poem is very dangerous (Calvinists do this with Psalm 51:5). The Lord will do every “may” in this psalm if we are faithful and devoted to Him, and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 40:1). But again, be careful of thinking in terms of absoluteness. The Lord is not going to grant us all of our “heart’s desire” (v. 4). But He will certainly bless us with what we need and answer our prayers according to His will. And the closer our will is to His, the more our “heart’s desire” will be granted.