MARCH 20, 2026 – PRAYER FOR THE KING

READ: Ps. 20:1–10: … May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble … May He send you help from the sanctuary … Remember all your offerings … May He grant you according to your heart’s desire … Save, LORD …

The king mentioned in this Psalm is a theocratic king who is dependent on the LORD for everything, and desires to obey, follow and honour Him. Thus his reign becomes a blessing for the people. This king is first David and then also Christ, the great Son of David (see also Ps. 21:7; Ps. 89; Ps. 132).

The occasion for composing this Psalm is war and hostility from opponents of God and His people—a situation that brings distress. The help and deliverance of the LORD are invoked. Now it is the people who pray to God that He would hear the prayer of the king.

In this connection the sanctuary of the LORD is specifically mentioned, where thank offerings and sin offerings are brought. These sacrifices point to the atoning work of Christ, which is the ground of God’s help and deliverance in the Old Testament.

On this basis the king and the people may have certainty of God’s victory over the enemy. The battle David fights is then the battle of the LORD. In this Psalm “the Name” of the LORD God is mentioned three times (vv.2,6,8; occurring ninety-seven times in the Psalms). This demonstrates how the LORD is known through His deeds of faithfulness, almightiness, and glory.

Verse 2: He is known as the God of Jacob—He remembers His covenant and carries it out in His faithfulness. For the poet it is therefore self-evident that the LORD will give deliverance and victory.

Verse 6 already says before the battle is fought: “We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners.” The hearing of the prayer for the king is certain: He will answer him (v.7), His anointed.

David is here the anointed of the LORD, acting in His commission. We also see this fulfilled in David’s Son, the Christ, the Anointed One. This is also indicated in the final verse: “May the King answer us.”

How well do we know the LORD?
Singing: Ps. 20:2,4