Suffering With Joy

Praying the Psalms – Psalm 20

May 29, 2010

Jenny at Just a Minute hosts a meme called “Praying the Psalms” on Saturdays.  Since Colleen is taking a break from hosting “Sabbath Moments” today, and since this is Memorial Day weekend when we remember our fallen soldiers, I joined Jenny to consider Psalm 20.

1.  The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!  The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

7.  Some boast of chariots, and some of horses; but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

8.  They will collapse and fall; but we shall rise and stand upright.

9.  Give victory to the king, O Lord;  answer us when we call.

Adoration of the Name of Jesus, 1578-79, El Greco (b. 1541, Candia, d. 1614, Toledo), Oil on canvas, Chapter House, Monasterio de San Lorenzo, El Escorial

This psalm was sung as part of the Israelite ritual before battle, vocalizing the spiritual unity of king and people bonded to God in the Old Covenant.  It is a prayer of worship and warfare all in one.

The enemies of Israel had more modern weapons than she, but Israel had the greatest weapon of all, the Name of the Lord. How many times Israel was miraculously victorious over much stronger forces as God prepared His people for the coming of the Messiah!

Today earthly war in all its  forms is still the age-old war for our souls. We battle in the public place both literally and figuratively – the battle of the Church Militant – and our most powerful weapon is the holy name of Jesus, before Whom every knee shall bend.  We will always triumph over temptation and fulfill our earthly duties well with the name of Jesus on our lips, and if we ask God for the grace to always remember to call upon His name when we are afflicted, He will grant it.

This psalm is eschatological, too.  By asking God for victory for the King, Who first obtained victory by rising from the dead, we are also asking for the victory of His Second Coming. The great Adversary will “collapse and fall” while those who in humility know that victory is impossible without God will “rise and stand upright” on the last day.

This weekend is a good time to ask God to protect our living troops, grant them victory amidst the evil they combat, and gather the fallen who are in purgatory to His heart… In the Name of Jesus.  Amen.

Tags: trust in God

3 Comments to Praying the Psalms – Psalm 20

1. 

   I was just reading the article on praying through the Psalms and clicked on your link. Thanks for the reminder that today’s earthly war is still an age old war. Sometimes it is easy to lose prospective.
Doug on May 29th, 2010
2. 

   Hello and welcome! Thank you for joining us in praying our way through the Psalms. Blessings
Jenny on May 29th, 2010
3. 

   great post. God bless
Colleen on May 30th, 2010

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