Royal Devotions. Psalm 20:1-9. Dr. Clyde M. Miller

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1 1 Commentary by Clyde M. Miller Questions by John C. Sewell Royal Devotions Psalm 20:1-9 Dr. Clyde M. Miller

2 2 Text: Psalm 20:1-9, Royal Devotions 1. May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. 3. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah 4. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. 6. Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. 7. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. 9. O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call! (NIV) Introduction: I. In the title, the phrase for the director of Music (NIV) is the best rendering of the intensive Hebrew participle lamnatseach, which can refer to any kind of leader. A. This phrase appears in the title to numerous psalms (cf. Psalms 19, 20, 21).

3 3 II. For the varied meanings of the phrase of David in the title, see the introduction to Psalm 19. III. To whom was Psalm so directed? A. For the most part, Psalm 20 is directed to the king, as the second person indicates. B. Psalm 21 is directed to God and the king is spoken of in the third person. IV. Psalms 20 and 21 are companion psalms. A. Psalm 20 prays for the success of the king as he prepares to go into battle, and Psalm 21 thanks God for answering that prayer and giving the king victory. B. Psalms 20 and 21 are categorized as royal psalm since they have to do with Davidic kingship. C. Scholars are not completely agreed on the number of royal psalms, but most agree that Psalms 2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132 and 144 belong in this category. D. Some, but not all, the royal psalms are also treated in the New Testament as messianic psalms, a sub-group of royal psalms. 1. Neither Psalm 20 nor 21 is so treated. 2. The correspondences between the Old Testament type and the New Testament antitype (fulfillment) will be noted in the introduction to Psalm 22. V. These psalms emphasize six important points with regard to the king.

4 4 A. He is inducted into office and anointed by the Lord (Psalm 2:2, 6). 1. Psalm 2:2, 6, The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." (NIV) B. He is adopted as God s son (Psalm 2:6-7; 89:26-27). 1. Psalm 2:6, 7, "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. (NIV) 2. Psalm 89:26, 27, He will call out to me, 'You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.' I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. (NIV) C. He is given the promise of the continuance of His kingdom for long duration (Psalm 89:1-4, 28-37; 132:11-12). 1. Psalm 89:1-4, 28-37, I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself. You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.' " Selah I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail. I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail. I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure.

5 5 "If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging; but I will not take my love from him, for will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness and I will not lie to Davidthat his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." Selah (NIV) 2. Psalm 132:11, 12, The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: "One of your own descendants I will place on your throne - if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever." (NIV) D. The king is to be endowed with God s righteousness and justice and to utilize these qualities as he governs His people (Psalm 45:6-7; 72:1-2; 89:14-15). 1. Psalm 45:6, 7, Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. (NIV) 2. Psalm 72:1, 2, Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. (NIV) 3. Psalm 89:14, 15, Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before

6 6 you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. (NIV) E. He has limited priestly functions (Psalm 110:4) 1. Psalm 110:4, The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (NIV) F. He is conditionally promised victory over his enemies (Psalm 2:8-0; 20:6-8; 21:8-12; 45:4-5; 132:18, cf. Jeremiah 18:7-11). 1. Psalm 2:8, 9, Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." (NIV) 2. Psalm 20:6-8, 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. (NIV) 3. Psalm 21:8-12, Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed; for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow. (NIV)

7 Psalm 45:4, 5, In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. (NIV) 5. Psalm 132:18, I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on his head will be resplendent." (NIV) 6. Jeremiah 18:7-11, If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it. "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.' (NIV) VI. Analyzing the structure of Psalm 20 is difficult, but it probably can be structured best in two paragraphs. A. Blessings are first invoked for the king (vv.1-5), and then the king s trust is extolled (vv.6-9). Commentary: Blessings Invoked Psalm 20:1-5, May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you

8 8 help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. (NIV) I. All the verbs in verses 1-5 are best treated as Hebrew jussives expressing wishes. A. The petitions are on behalf of the king (cf. v. 9a). 1. Psalm 20:9a, O LORD, save the king! (NIV) B. It is assumed that the king will pray for divine help before going into battle (cf. 2 Chronicles 20:1-12), and that he has been devout in offering sacrifices and offerings Chronicles 20:1-12, After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard and said: "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give

9 9 it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.' "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (NIV) 2. Sacrifices are probably sin offerings (cf. Judges 20:26; 21:4; 1 Samuel 7:9), when penitence seems to have been the main note (cf. Judges 2:1-5), and offerings are likely thank offerings in anticipation of God s answering favorably (cf. Psalms 66:13-18). a. Judges 20:26, Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD. (NIV) b. Judges 21:4, Early the next day the people built an altar and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. (NIV) c. 1 Samuel 7:9, Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the

10 10 LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the LORD answered him. (NIV) d. Judges 2:1-5, The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, "I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your forefathers. I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.' Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you." When the angel of the LORD had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, and they called that place Bokim. There they offered sacrifices to the LORD. (NIV) e. Psalms 66:13-18, I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you - vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble. I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. Selah. Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; (NIV) II. Sanctuary (v.2a) is parallel to Zion (v. 2b), thus indicating the Jerusalem temple. A. Psalm 20:2, May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. (NIV)

11 11 B. Although the earthly sanctuary symbolized God s presence (Exodus 29:43, 43; 30:6, 36), his true abode is in his holy heaven (v. 6b). 1. Exodus 29:42, 43, For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD. There I will meet you and speak to you; there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory. (NIV) 2. Exodus 30:6, 36, Put the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony where I will meet with you. Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. (NIV) 3. Psalm 20:6b, he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. (NIV) C. The blessings are invoked by the congregation or a priest speaking on their behalf, as the plural pronouns in verse 5 indicate. 1. Psalm 20:5, We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. (NIV) D. Sin offerings and burnt offerings of consecration were customarily offered before Israel went into battle (1 Samuel 7:9-10; 10:8; 13:8-12) Samuel 7:9, 10, Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the

12 12 LORD answered him. While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. (NIV) 2. 1 Samuel 10:8, "Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do." (NIV) 3. 1 Samuel 13:8-12, He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter. So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings." And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering." (NIV) E. Victory was promised to faithful kings (1 Samuel 12:14-15) Samuel 12:14, 15, If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God-good! But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers. (NIV)

13 13 III. Banners (v. 5b) translates degel, which refers to a military standard and signifies that which is to be seen or that which is lifted up. A. Psalm 20:5b, May the LORD grant all your requests. (NIV) 1. In military conflict, it would be raised to indicate victory. 2. God is the one to be glorified for the victory won. Trust Expressed Psalm 20:6-9, 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. O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call! (NIV) I. Anointed (v. 6a) renders mashiach, messiah. A. Psalm 20:6a, Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; (NIV) B. Anointing was an act of consecration, subordination, and appointment for service. C. It was used of objects (Exodus 29:36; 30-26; Leviticus 8:10) and of people. 1. Exodus 29:36, Sacrifice a bull each day as a sin offering to make atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. (NIV) 2. Exodus 30:26, Then use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, (NIV)

14 Leviticus 8:10, Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it, and so consecrated them. (NIV) D. Prophets, priests, and kings were subject to the act (1 Kings. 19:16; 1 Chronicles 16:22; Exodus 28:41, Numbers 3:3; 1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3; 1 Kings 1:39) Kings 19:16, Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. (NIV) 2. 1 Chronicles 16:22, "Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm." (NIV) 3. Exodus 28:41, After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. (NIV) 4. Numbers 3:3, Those were the names of Aaron's sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests. (NIV) 5. 1 Samuel 10:1, Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance? (NIV) 6. 1 Samuel 16:3, Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." (NIV) 7. 1 Kings 1:39, Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded

15 15 the trumpet and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!" (NIV) E. The act was usually performed by a priest (1 Kings 1:39, etc.), but could be performed by a prophet (2 Kings 9:1-3) Kings 1:39, Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!" (NIV) 2. 2 Kings 9:1-3, The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, "Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, 'This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door and run; don't delay!" (NIV) F. Since God authorized the anointing, it could be said that the king is God s anointed (Psalm 2:2). 1. Psalm 2:2, The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. (NIV) II. The wishes (vv. 1-5) become reality in the priestly benediction (v. 6). A. Psalm 20:1-6, May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept

16 16 your burnt offerings. Selah. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. (NIV) B. This confidence is based on the trust placed in God by the people and the king (v.7). 1. Psalm 20:7, Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (NIV) C. The anticipated consequences are thus clear (v. 8). 1. Psalm 20:8, They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. (NIV) D. Note the casual relationship between trust and success (vv. 7-8). 1. Psalm 20:7, 8, 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. (NIV) E. The antithetic parallelism of verses 8 and 9 points out in bold relief the contrast between the failure of God s enemies and the success of His faithful covenant keepers. 1. Psalm 20:8, 9, They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call! (NIV) II. The final summary petition (v. 9) climactically stresses the prayerful trust of the king and the people.

17 17 A. Psalm 20:9, O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call! (NIV) B. It is expected that a faithful king will heed the admonition of the Pentateuch to adhere to the Law (Deuteronomy 17:16-20). 1. Deuteronomy 17:16-20, "Cursed is the man who dishonors his father or his mother." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!" "Cursed is the man who moves his neighbor's boundary stone." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!" "Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!" "Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!" "Cursed is the man who sleeps with his father's wife, for he dishonors his father's bed." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!" (NIV) C. The change from the consideration of the king s victory (v. 9a) to the nation (v. 9b) employs the literary feature of community solidarity in which the fortunes of the king are intertwined with those of his subjects. Application: 1. Psalm 20:9a, O LORD, save the king! (NIV) I. Leaders and those led must abide in God s laws in order truly to anticipate divine blessings in times of anxiety and danger (cf. Phil. 2:1-11). A. Philippians 2:1-11, If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

18 18 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NIV)

19 19 Questions Psalm 10:1-9 (Questions based on NIV text.) 1. What is the significance of the phrase for the director of music in the title to this psalm? 2. In what other psalm titles is this phrase found? 3. To whom was Psalm 20 directed? 4. In what ways can it be said Psalms 20 and 21 are companion psalms? How are they characterized?

20 Which other psalms are clearly identified as royal psalms? 6. Which ones of the royal psalms are treated in the New Testament as messianic psalms? 7. List six important points the royal psalms emphasize in regard to the king. 8. How can Psalm 20 be structured? 9. What are Hebrew jussive verbs?

21 Petitions were to be made on behalf of the. The was to for before unto. He was also to have been in and. 11. are probably when seems to have been the main note and are likely in anticipation of God s answering. 12. Define sanctuary and give the significance of this word. 13. What was customarily done before Israel went into battle? To whom was victory promised? 14. Define degel and specify how it was used?

22 Messiah means. was an act of,, and for. 16. What things and people were subject to anointing? 17. Who performed the anointing ceremonies? How could it be said that the king was God s anointed? 18. What bold contrast is emphasized in verses 8 and 9? 19. What is the relationship between trust and success as indicated in verses 7 and 8?

23 indicates the of the are with those of his. 21. and those must in s in order truly to anticipate in of and. 22. May the answer you when you are in ; may the of the of you. 23. May he you, you, your and your, you the of your and all your. 24. We will for when you are and will when you are and will up our in the of our. 25. The his ; he him from his with the of his. 26. Some in and some in, but we in the of the our. 27. They are brought to their and, but we and.

24 O Lord, the. us when we. 29. Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Describe the attitude of Christ. See Philippians 2: What lessons does Psalm 20 teach you? 31. According to Jeremiah 18:7-11, how does the moral and ethical conduct of a nation determine its fortunes?