DEVOTIONAL ON PSALM 20:2

CEF International Headquarters, Warrenton, MO

"May He send you help from the sanctuary

And strengthen you from Zion."

Psalm 20:2, NKJV

What are my three favorite Psalms? Would you count me an infidel if the 23rd Psalm isn't that high? Believe it or not, it's 6th place? The top three consist of, in order, Psalms 84, 67, and 20. (For the curious, 4th and 5th, respectively, are 27 and 119.)

Today, I'm focusing on Psalm 20. Why do I place it so high? Is it verse 7, which says "Some trust in chariots and some in horses," and some paraphrase, "Some trust in Cadillacs and some in Porshes?" No, it's the first five verses.

Alex Darnall, worship leader at Northside Baptist Church in Indianapolis, was doing a devotional series on the Psalms and commented on the 20th that it's in context of the King addressing his army. I didn't think of that, and it sounds good. But I looked at it as a great Psalm to pray for others, particularly the first 5 verses.

When I looked at this Psalm a couple of days ago, I felt I needed the prayer from verse 2 for me personally.

PRAYER: Lord, I need Your help; please send me help from Your Sanctuary in heaven. I need Your strength; please strengthen me from Zion. And Lord, please let me know of any brothers and sisters in You that need encouragement and need me to pray this Psalm for them.

 

SUNDAY PSALMS PART 21 OF 48 (PENTECOST VERSION) - PSALM 67

Arlington Avenue Baptist Church, Indianapolis

 

1   God be merciful to us and bless us,
    And cause His face to shine upon us.
                                                    Selah
2  That Your way may be known on earth,
    Your salvation among all nations.
3  Let the peoples praise You, O God;
    Let all the peoples praise You.
4  Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
    For You shall judge the people righteously,
    And govern the nations on earth.
                                                    Selah
5  Let the peoples praise You, O God;
    Let all the peoples praise You.
6  Then the earth shall yield her increase;
    God, our own God, shall bless us.
7  God shall bless us,
    And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.
                                Psalm 67:1-7, New King James Version

 

This is my second favorite Psalm (we looked at my favorite a few weeks ago). One reason is this is a millennial Psalm, looking to the Kingdom when Christ reigns over all the earth from Jerusalem, Jew and non-Jew alike.

That theme makes it fitting for this Psalm to be looked at on Pentecost Sunday. Why? Because when the Spirit was poured out, the message started in Jerusalem and spread to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Revelation 7 mentions that every tribe and language will be represented before His throne. That is not true yet - there are thousands of languages and people groups (the Biblical equivalent of "nation", as opposed to our idea of nations).

Aren't you looking forward to that day?