1May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! 2May He send you help from the sanctuary and support you from Zion!
Many of the psalms seem relatively obscure, simple collections of spiritual thoughts that don’t necessarily have a cohesive theme. However, finding the correct overlay makes sense of the lyrical content.
Let me illustrate what I mean in this way. A scientist examines the evidence of what he is studying and uses the scientific method to devise a hypothesis to explain the evidence. He then goes back and tests the evidence against the hypothesis, and if it explains or makes sense of the evidence, it is then generally accepted. So also, in biblical interpretation. When we read a passage like Psalm 20, an overlay or an interpretative “theory” can help us see what the writer is telling us. In this case, an overlay depicting David facing battle becomes evident. Verses 1-5 comprise a prayer of the people (“we” vs. 5) asking God to help David “in the day of trouble” (vs. 1)
In verses 6-9, the speaker changes from the “we” to “I.” This person is the Lord’s anointed, namely the king of Israel. He expresses confidence in “the name of the Lord, our God,” using God’s name to reference God Himself. David’s trust is not in his war machinery.
Individual verses in this psalm can be used powerfully in the believer’s life, for example, vs. 7: “Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.” Seeing this verse in the context of spiritual battles gives the passage more grit, more traction in our daily application. Our victories in life come when we confidently trust in the Lord, for that is what we are doing when we boast about Him. He is able. And therefore, we can, with great confidence, ask Him for help in our daily battles. And we can sing even before the outcome is made known, “We will sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners” (vs. 5). And if God can save David when the battle is going against him, He can save us from the conflicts that overwhelm us:
Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. (Ps 20:6)
If the Lord who is mighty in power comes to save us, how can any earthly power have victory over us?
Lord, in the face of my conflicts, I will trust in the name of the Lord, my God, for You are greater than any defense I devise of my own.
0 Comments