OUR CONTINUING STUDY OF PSALM OF PSALM 20 …
The Psalm is a Poem, for sure! Loaded with “parallelism,” perhaps the key mark of Hebrew poetry. David, King of Israel, is praying. Also he’s teaching his people how to pray, his subjects, the citizens of his Country. Instructing them as how to pray for the King! Psalm 20:3 asks the Lord to … “Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.” In other words: “Lord, remember all the King’s Offerings. And please accept his burnt sacrifice.” The parallel construction here is again clearly evident:
“Remember all thy offerings.”
“Accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.”
The lines virtually repeat each other. The verb “to remember” is “zakar,” used 233 times in the Old Testament. It means “to mention, to record, to think upon, to be mindful of,” as well as “not to forget.” The noun “offerings” is “minchah” and probably has the Jewish “meat offering” or “meal offering” in mind. A ritual that celebrates the perfect Life of the coming Son of God, of Jesus! “Lord, be aware that David worships Thee!”
“Remember all thy offerings.”
“Accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.”
Then the verb “accept” is “dashen,” used only 11 times in the Bible! (Big difference between 211 times and just 11 times!) Literally it means “to be fat, to grow fat.” Thus “to accept” the gifts of worship (often including fat meat) that a believer brings to the altar! And the expression “burnt sacrifice” is “olah,” used 289 times in the Scriptures. It’s the basic Hebrew “burnt offering.” Where all the little animal is offered, given to God. Sometimes called “the whole burnt offering.” These two acts of worship, the burnt offering and the meal offering were “basic” to approaching Almighty God in David’s day. And the Lord here in verse 3 has been implored to “smile upon” David’s attempt to worship. Not to turn David away from the altar. To “be pleased” with the King’s reverence. Today, for sure, we have noticed a spiritual prayer. Let’s for a second shift from the time of David … to our current day. How may we be sure God is receiving our worship? Because we come to Him in the name of Jesus! Through the shed Blood of … not a bleating little one year old lamb from a local flock … but of God’s Eternal Lamb, the Virgin-Born and Crucified and Buried and Risen Son of God … Jesus Christ our Lord! Yes, God “hears” us today! In Ephesians 2:18 Paul says of Jesus: “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Amen! Jesus is our “Offering!” He is our “Burnt Sacrifice!” He is our “access” to God! Guaranteed!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell