Psalm 20 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

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!

Christians are in the habit of praying for one another. The petitions we lay before our heavenly Father are heard by Him for Jesus’ sake. And we know that He will answer in the way that is best for us.

Psalm 20 is a prayer. It appears to be a prayer for the nation of Israel before going to battle. However, this prayer is not just for those who are in the military. It is appropriate for people no matter the “battle” they are facing in their lives.

Notice the tone of this prayer. It is wishing well for others. Isn’t that what most of our prayers are doing?

• Lord, grant healing
• Lord, grant relief
• Lord, grant protection
• Lord, grant your blessing

Those are the kinds of pleas we should present to our gracious and loving Father.

Something that always catches my attention in this Psalm is what it says in verse 7:

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

The world places their confidence in their own might, in their possessions or their position. Those things are the strength of this world. But we trust in the name of the Lord our God. The name of God, which we are told to keep holy, is powerful. It is by His name that we are saved!

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Jesus, which means Savior, is the one who did what was needed for us to be rescued, redeemed, restored, forgiven, made holy, and saved.  His life was lived for us. His death was died for us. His resurrection was for us. And our faith in Him receives the benefit of all He has done. Why would we trust in anything other than His name?

Philippians 2:9–11 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.

As you pray for others, remember to pray that they would trust in the name of the Lord our God.