The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Counsel” it comes from the Hebrew Word “etsah” which means “counsel, plan.”
The people offer a communal prayer for their king’s success before he goes to battle. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Psalm 20.
The psalm opens with the people’s collective prayer, “The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion,” asking that God would remember all his offerings, and accept his burnt sacrifice.
The people pray that God would grant him according to his heart’s desire, and fulfill all his “counsel,” “etsah” in Hebrew, declaring they will rejoice in his salvation, and in the name of their God set up their banners, praying that the Lord would fulfill all his petitions.
The psalm expresses confidence that the Lord saves His anointed, and will hear him from His holy heaven, with the saving strength of His right hand, contrasting those who trust in chariots and horses with those who remember the name of the Lord their God, declaring that others are brought down and fallen, but the faithful are risen and stand upright, closing with a final petition, “Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call,” a fitting communal prayer expressing collective confidence in God’s protection over their appointed leader.
This communal prayer’s central contrast, some trust in chariots and horses while others remember the name of the Lord, offers timeless wisdom about where genuine security ultimately comes from regardless of what resources or strategies a given moment seems to demand. The people’s collective investment in praying specifically for their leader’s success models a form of corporate intercession easily overlooked in more individualistic approaches to prayer.
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