Psalm 20
(NKJV)
The Assurance of God’s Saving Work
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob [a]defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your [b]purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the Lord saves His [c]anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.
Poetry by Isaac Watts based on Psalm 20
Prayer and hope of victory.
For a day of prayer in time of war.
Now may the God of power and grace
Attend his people’s humble cry!
Jehovah hears when Isr’el prays,
And brings deliverance from on high.
The name of Jacob’s God defends
Better than shields or brazen walls;
He from his sanctuary sends
Succor and strength, when Zion calls.
Well he remembers all our sighs,
His love exceeds our best deserts;
His love accepts the sacrifice
Of humble groans and broken hearts.
In his salvation is our hope,
And, in the name of Isr’el’s God,
Our troops shall lift their banners up,
Our navies spread their flags abroad.
Some trust in horses trained for war,
And some of chariots make their boasts:
Our surest expectations are
From thee, the Lord of heav’nly hosts.
[O may the memory of thy name
Inspire our armies for the fight!
Our foes shall fall and die with shame,
Or quit the field with shameful flight.]
Now save us, Lord, from slavish fear,
Now let our hopes be firm and strong,
Till the salvation shall appear,
And joy and triumph raise the song.
Reflection
This is the perfect prayer/blessing for someone who is entering a new phase in their life especially someone who is leaving their hometown or home country. Remember to pray especially for folks who are far away from family and friends.
