Psalm 20 (Part 1)

The Story Behind the Psalm 

This Psalm corresponds to Psalm 15.It directly deals with the period of time when the Jewish people were about the work of bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. At the same time there was a raging war with going on between the Jews and the Syrians. Before going to war, David writes this Psalm. We see this mentioned in verse 1 when he speaks of the Lord hearing him in the day of trouble. Then in verse 2 he seeks help from the sanctuary and from Zion. He reminds God in verse 6 that He saves His anointed, and then in that amazing verse 7, David speaks of the foolishness of trusting in chariots and horses (which were used in battle) and in the wisdom of trusting in the name of our Lord for battle. 

Charles Spurgeon points out that this is not only a Psalm of David, written by him, but a Psalm for David, written for him as King over a nation preparing to go to battle. Spurgeon breaks it down into these 4 helpful sections.

• Verses 1-4 are a prayer for the success of the king.
• Verses 5-7 express unwavering confidence in God and his Anointed.
• Verse 8 declares the defeat of the foe.
• Verse 9 is a concluding appeal to YHWH.

vs.1 - the God of Jacob

In this verse, David draws our attention to the LORD, identifying him as the God of Jacob.David says, “I’m in need of protection so I will turn to and think on the same God who protected Jacob. Now... this is an unique detail.How did God protect Jacob?  

• He certainly did not protect him from the need to flee from his brother Esau.
• He didn't prevent Jacob from being married to the wrong woman. 
• He didn't keep Laban from cheating Jacob by changing his wages ten times. 
• He didn't keep Jacob's wife, Rachel, from dying in childbirth. 
• He didn't keep Jacob’s son Joseph from being sold into slavery, his other sons from lying about it, and his son Simeon from being thrown into prison. 

What kind of protector is this God of Jacob?

Why would David have us look to Jacob as the example of Divine protection here?

• He is a sufficient protector -- this is the very lesson God was teaching Jacob when He wrenched his hip out of its socket at the same time that Esau was coming after him with 400 men. God didn't leave Jacob any power to flee or to fight, because God didn't need Jacob's help. 
• He is a just protector --  When God saw how Jacob was being cheated by Laban, He simply changed the laws of genetics so that Laban couldn't get away with his injustice. 
• He is a big picture protector -- Jacob didn't see any reason for being wed to Leah, or any reason for the loss of Joseph. But God had reasons, and those reasons came back to protect and provide for Jacob in the end. 

Application:

Here’s the point... God has a plan for your protection -- and for mine.Just like Jacob, we have a sufficient protector.Just like Jacob, we have a just protector.Just like Jacob, we have a big picture protector.God is our protector and defender... whom or what do we have to fear.