Our study of Psalm 20 continues. Today we notice the seventh verse. The whole Poem is gathered around the theme of prayer. In fact, the Chapter IS a prayer.

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7

The thought is most appropriate for a man who “fights.” Who is a warrior. As was King David of Israel. A man who was unusually blessed of God with victory after victory.

The man who needed God’s hand of Protection, hence the wish (the prayer) back in verse 1: “The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee.”

Today we learn the REAL source of David’s success.

And it is not his army!

The Hebrew noun used for “chariots” (spelled “rekeb”) can mean “wagons” as well. Tools of war, transporting supplies and ammunition. Chariots were also (the “tanks” of their day) particularly helpful weapons, when manned by a sword wielding fighter.

And “horses” (“sus” in Hebrew) were fast and fearless and extremely effective in sudden attacks! Sort of terrorizing an enemy!

And King David owned plenty of both, chariots and horses.

But such were not the “keys” to victory!

The verb “trust” is noticeably italicized in the Verse. It has no Hebrew equivalent in the Text. But the “context” demands it! This is a good illustration of the skill and wisdom of the King James translators.

Some armies attributed their prowess to their hardware, or software these days. To their machinery. To their equipment. BUT NOT THIS PSALMIST!

“We will remember the name of the Lord our God!”

Not the tools of war, not ONLY the tools of battle anyway!

The verb “remember” is “zakar” in Hebrew. It means “to call to mind.” Almost, “to keep on one’s mind!” To think about a subject! Actually 21 times in the Old Testament “to mention” something or someone again and again!

And God’s “Name?”

Yes, “shem” in Hebrew not only includes what an individual is called, his nomenclature. But his “reputation,” his “character,” his “essence” as well!

We will remember Who God is!

And what God does!

And everything else about Him we can learn too!

In other words, we will “lean” on the Lord!

“Trust” in God!

HE will be the center of our faith!

Not human abilities.

Wow!

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7

Don’t trust your money.

Don’t trust your abilities.

Don’t trust the “law of averages.”

TRUST THE LORD!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

 

 

 

TODAY’S VERSE:

“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.” Psalm 20:6

The Verse begins … “Now I know!”

It sounds like David’s level of “assurance” is growing!

I am glad God can give perfect peace about what we believe. The Holy Spirit can “bear witness” with our human spirit that certain truths are rock solid. (For example, Romans 8:16 teaches us: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”)

Now who is God’s “anointed?”

This word, “mashiyach,” virtually the English word “messiah,” is usually (often) a reference to the “King” of Israel. The whole Psalm, all nine verses, may be a prayer for the King! The verb “save” can carry the idea of “deliverance, rescue, protection.”

Also this is the only place in all the Bible that the expression “holy heaven” is used! The adjective “holy” here means “set apart.” Consecrated, hallowed, unlike any other!

And what a description of God’s Power; “the saving strength of His right hand.” The noun “strength” implies the ability of a “giant, a champion, a hero, a mighty man of valor!”

And God’s “Right Hand” is the emblem of His Omnipotence. Usually one’s “right” side is his or her strongest. But with God I am sure He is ambidextrous! The term is here an anthropomorphism.

Overall verse 6 is a proclamation of victory!

To me it’s similar to New Testament verses like First John 4:4. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Or maybe Romans 8:31. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

“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.” Psalm 20:6

Now I’d like to even suggest that the “anointed” here could even be Jesus! The Father certainly “saved” Jesus, raising Him from the Grave! And the Father absolutely “hears” his Son praying, interceding on our behalf! And oh the Power God has placed at His Son’s disposal! Jesus Himself said it. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18

Oh, I love to “ponder” these verses each morning!

Gentle rotating it (the day’s verse) as a jeweler does his newest precious stone! Admiring the varying hues of light it reflects! And adoring its great Creator!

And this is good too … another verse tomorrow, Lord willing.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Today we study Psalm 20 once again.

Verse 5

“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.”

Speaking directly to God now, “We will rejoice in Thy salvation.” Do note that the “salvation” mentioned here belongs to Jesus. It is not mine, certainly not automatically, because I am “somebody!” I am a worm, a sinner deserving Hell! It is HIS SALVATION! He died to provide it. He “owns” it. He gives it to us repenting sinners!

To “rejoice” is “ranan” in Hebrew. It actually means “to sing.” No wonder so many Christian hymns delight in Calvary, the old rugged Cross, the Blood of Jesus, His Plan of Salvation!

The noun “banners,” as “in the Name of God we will set up our banners,” is “dagal” in Hebrew. It means a “flag, a standard,” and hints at battle. Warfare, with Jesus being the Leader, the Commander in Chief, and of course, the Victor! “Dagal” is only found in the Bible 4 times, total! And once it is translated “chiefest.” That’s Jesus, indeed!

Then the verse shifts from talking to God and about God … and begins to emphasize a singular petition, request. A wish or a desire … ”the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.”

This is intercession at its best. “Filfil,” same as yesterday, means “to accomplish, to replenish, to wholly grant!” Twice it even has the idea of “overflowing.”

And “petitions,” a noun, equals “mishalah” in Hebrew. It just means a “desire, request,” being derived from “shaal,” the main Old Testament verb for “asking,” or “what we ask.”

I think we can even pray this verse for JESUS’ Sake!

“Heavenly Father, help us today (being written on Sunday Morning) to rejoice and sing and delight in the Salvation Thy Son has given us so freely. Lord, help us overcome our enemies, those pesky little sins that so easily beset us. We lift up our banners, our battle flags, in Thy Name. We claim victory in Jesus. And Father, as Jesus daily (hourly, every minute, never missing a second) intercedes for us … grant to him all the desires of His Heart! All His petitions! Amen.”

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

This is a powerful Verse of Scripture!

It’s part of a prayer, all of Psalm 20 being the “unit,” the “set” of petitions directed to God.

Our Lesson today: “Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.” Again, this is Psalm 20:4.

These two desires are “spoken” to an individual, but will be “prayed” to God on behalf of that man or woman. Can you imagine anyone caring for you that much? “May God … grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.”

Let’s examine the two “halves” of the verse.

First … “Grant thee according to thine own heart.” The Hebrew verb “grant” is “nathan,” meaning “to give, but also “to set up, to establish.” To commit or entrust to a person certain things. The expression “thine own heart” means that person’s “innermost” desires! (I thus surmise that he or she is a very godly person, whose “desires” will be acceptable to God!) And yes, the Bible does make such blanket promises to certain people. For example, Psalm 37:4. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Wow!

Then the last clause … “Fulfill all thy counsel.” This is almost “make all your words come true!” The verb “fulfill” is “male” in Hebrew. It means “to wholly accomplish!” To fill something “to the brim!” Twice in the King James Version of the Bible this word is translated “overflow!” And it is even rendered “replenish” 7 times!

Powerful!

The noun “counsel” is “etzsah,” meaning “advice.” One’s very “purposes!” And once, but beautifully so, it is written as “advisements.” It is derived from a verb that means “to determine or devise.”

Jesus, in John 15:7, comes close to this idea. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Wow again!

To pray this for a national leader (which may be the case here in Psalm 20) is wise.

To pray it for one’s Pastor may be even more appropriate for the Christian today.

But to pray it for God’s ANOINTED (verse 6 coming up soon) … might mean praying it now for our Saviour, for the Lord Jesus Christ! And I will guarantee you this: the desires of His Heart and the purposes of His Counsel … will be given!

What a verse!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

The Lord willing, another Lesson tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

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