Psalm 20 - Preparing For Great Challenges

The author of Psalm 20 is David.  If you read in 2 Samuel, you may find that those events portrayed prompted this prayer.  It's a prayer for victory in battle.  Such a prayer can help us prepare for any great challenge.  David knew that trust should be placed in the Lord more than in human power.

"Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.  They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm"  ~ Psalm 20:6-8

As long as there have been armies and weapons,  nations have boasted of their power, but such power does not last.  Throughout history, empires and kingdoms have risen to great power only to vanish in the dust.  David, however, knew that the true might of his nation was not in weaponry but in worship; not in firepower, but in God's power.  Because God alone can preserve a nation or an individual, be sure your confidence is in God, who gives eternal victory. Whom do you trust?

"Even the greatest of men may be much in trouble. Neither the crown on the king's head, nor the grace in his heart, would make them free from trouble. Even the greatest of men must be much in prayer. Let none expect benefit by the prayers of the church, or their friends, who are capable of praying for themselves, yet neglect it. Pray that God would protect and preserve any of those we call great in this nation.  That God would enable them to go on in their undertakings for the public good"

"Our first step to victory in spiritual warfare is to trust only in the mercy and grace of God; all who trust in themselves will soon be cast down. Believers triumph in God, and his revelation of himself to them, by which they distinguish themselves from those that live without God in the world. Those who make God and his name their praise, may make God and his name their trust. This is the case in every conflict with our spiritual enemies, when we engage them in the name, the spirit, and the power of Christ; and this will be the case at the last day, when the world, shall be brought down and fall; but believers, risen-from the dead, through the resurrection of the Lord, shall stand, and sing his praises in heaven"

"In Christ's salvation let us rejoice; and set up our banners in the name of the Lord our God, assured that by the saving strength of his right hand we shall be conquerors over every enemy"

(Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary)