LESSON 1, INTRODUCTION:

The Chapter is interesting, as are all the Psalms. It is a "benediction," pronouncing blessings upon someone. And it is also a prayer, crying out to the Lord God Himself!

So here's our Text for the next few Lessons, King James Version:

"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. 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: let the king hear us when we call."

Psalm 20, all 9 verses.

Now, let me show you how we're going to approach the Psalm. It is written, according to its own "superscript," by David, David son of Jesse. (The Psalm's "superscript" is recorded just "above" verse one. "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David," it says.)

Now get this.

It is written "by" David ... yet "for David!"

A "prayer" for the King ... written by the King!

Maybe I should say a "suggested" prayer for the King!

This is sort of like Paul's "Brethren pray for me" burden!

It's a prayer for "protection."

Also it's a prayer that God would "prosper, ordain with success" the King's Reign, his Administration.

That God would "answer" his prayers, the King's petitions.

It even calls the King God's "anointed!"

Wow!

We shall investigate this more fully, the Lord willing.

Then let me say one more thing. I believe the Psalm can be read, interpreted, viewed as talking not only about King David ... but King Jesus as well!

Yes, there may be "Messianic" undertones here!

Tomorrow we begin the journey.

Verse by verse.

As we do may God, "Open our eyes, that we may behold wondrous things out of His Word." Psalm 119:18

Amen.

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, VERSE 1:

The first verse of Psalm 20 "sets" the mood for the entire chapter. It may take us two days to discuss it. It's that lovely!

Two little, short prayers "rolled" into a single sentence. "The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee."

Wow!

It's a prayer, a wish, a benediction!

It is here, in context, being "offered" for someone in authority. Someone later called God's "anointed." It is also "asked" in the Psalm's last verse that the "king" hear the petitions of this little poem!

Therefore many teachers have concluded that this is a prayer for the King of Israel! For David himself, being written in his day.

But really the "anointed" of God, when the word is marked "Anointed" ... with a Capital Letter ... the Lord Jesus Christ is meant! The Messiah Himself, the noun "Messiah" in Hebrew literally meaning "anointed, covered with oil!"

So we have a "double" target for these prayed blessings,

One, praying for our national leader!

Two, praying for our Saviour! (Remember what Jesus taught in Matthew chapter 25. That if we pray for Believers anywhere, members of the Body of Christ, we are praying for Jesus as well! "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40)

And I plan to apply the Psalm, in the spirit of the Passage I believe, to praying for one's Pastor as well!

The voiced "desire" again, King James Version: "The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee."

The verb "hear" (in Hebrew "anah") is also translated "answer" 242 times in the Old Testament! May God not only hear these prayers ... but also answer them!

"Trouble" is the word "tzsrah," meaning "tight, cramping, squeezing in," expressing the idea of "pressure" and "affliction, distress."

And God is asked "to defend" this person too. "Sagab" means "to lift up on high!" To exalt them, to make them safe! The word is even translated "excellent" once in Scripture!

What a prayer!

Use it today.

Voice it heavenward for someone you respect.

Someone in authority in your life!

For the very Cause of Christ!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, VERSE 1:

There is an expression in Psalm 20:1 that has "caught" my eye, or my heart! I will capitalize the phrase for you. "The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee."

David did not here just pray that "God" would "defend" his loved one. But that "the Name of the God of Jacob" might do the defending!

This is the only time in Scripture where this precise string of words occurs! "THE NAME OF THE GOD OF JACOB!" I have found 20 occasions where the "God of Jacob" is referenced. The first being Exodus 3:6 where the Lord introduces Himself to Moses! "I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."

But "the Name of the God of Jacob?"

Not once, but here in our Text.

We said yesterday that the verb "defend" as used here means "to exalt, to make high," even  "to make excellent!"

Apparently a wish that God would "snatch away" His child here, removing him or her from the clutches of some enemy.

For some reason, it seems David loved this particular Name or Title for God. "Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel." Second Samuel 23:1

But I must discuss the "heart" of today's Lesson. What is involved in "the Name of the God of Jacob," that very Expression?

The Hebrew noun "name" is "shem." It does mean "name," of course, but more than that! It has the idea of a person's "reputation, fame, glory" in view as well. Once in the Bible "shem" is even translated "report."

Study God's "character" when you pray!

His "mighty acts!"

His sterling "reputation" with those He loves!

And appeal to His Essence, in that sense!

Jacob did!

He (Jacob who became Israel) was in danger and sought God's protection!

He was deficient of character and sought God's changing power!

He was needing a blessing and sought God's touch!

He was alone and sought God's companionship!

Yes, "the Name of the God of  Jacob" served that man well, really the God behind the name!

Here's an idea.

Study God's Names!

To better know Him, of course.

But also, to better be able to plead His Person as you intercede for others!

God literally has dozens of Names and Titles in Scripture!

One God ... many revelations!

So Vast, so Eternal ... "ineffable" the old-timers used to say, indescribable in His greatness!

In fact, I suspect a thorough knowledge of God's Names may be one of the very best ways to KNOW Him intimately!

Friends, pray verse 1 of Psalm 20 for someone you love today!

"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee."

What a God we serve!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, VERSE 2:

The prayer continues!

In the form of poetic Hebrew parallelism, Psalm 20:2. Here's the King James Version. "Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion." Two similar requests!

The prayer is not a "direct" petition, directed to the Almighty. It is a statement of prayer, a prayer "request," told to the person for whom the prayer is being offered.

As in: "May God send you help ...." and ... "May the Lord strengthen you as well." Both these urgings are "prayable" for someone we love, too.

"Send thee help from the sanctuary."

"Strengthen thee out of Zion."

I have printed the two halves of our verse in "parallel" fashion.

The "sanctuary" (in Hebrew "qodesh," a "Holy Place") is then a Place of "help" for the Believer in Christ. Probably the Temple is in David's mind here.

And "send" means to lavishly "scatter" handfuls of "encouragement" upon the needy soul! "Help" is "ezer" in Hebrew, "succour." It etymologically means "to run to a person's side in order to aid him or her!" 

This was to be prayed for the King of Israel, for David himself!

We might even pray it for our David, the Lord Jesus Christ, especially regarding His future Second Coming!

And I'm absolutely sure we can pray it for the man who is our "Pastor!"

To "strengthen" (in Hebrew "saad") means "to support, to hold up, to refresh to establish!" And "Zion" (in Hebrew "parched place") usually refers to the City of Jerusalem. Though it can mean the whole Country.

Prayer for God's Hand of Might to be upon the person, upon those people, who comprise your prayer list.

They they be not weak!

That they may not quit!

That they might be "strengthened" to this point of assurance, agreeing with Paul the Apostle. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

Amen!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell