mh_parser/vol_split/19 - Psalms/Chapter 20.xml

<div2 id="Ps.xxi" n="xxi" next="Ps.xxii" prev="Ps.xx" progress="27.86%" title="Chapter XX">
<h2 id="Ps.xxi-p0.1">P S A L M S</h2>
<h3 id="Ps.xxi-p0.2">PSALM XX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ps.xxi-p1">It is the will of God that prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings, should be made, in special manner, for kings and
all in authority. This psalm is a prayer, and the next a
thanksgiving, for the king. David was a martial prince, much in
war. Either this psalm was penned upon occasion of some particular
expedition of his, or, in general, as a form to be used in the
daily service of the church for him. In this psalm we may observe,
I. What it is they beg of God for the king, <scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.1-Ps.20.4" parsed="|Ps|20|1|20|4" passage="Ps 20:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. II. With what assurance they beg
it. The people triumph (<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.5" parsed="|Ps|20|5|0|0" passage="Ps 20:5">ver.
5</scripRef>), the prince (<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.6" parsed="|Ps|20|6|0|0" passage="Ps 20:6">ver.
6</scripRef>), both together (<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.7-Ps.20.8" parsed="|Ps|20|7|20|8" passage="Ps 20:7,8">ver. 7,
8</scripRef>), and so he concludes with a prayer to God for
audience, <scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.9" parsed="|Ps|20|9|0|0" passage="Ps 20:9">ver. 9</scripRef>. In this,
David may well be looked upon as a type of Christ, to whose kingdom
and its interests among men the church was, in every age, a hearty
well-wisher.</p>
<scripCom id="Ps.xxi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20" parsed="|Ps|20|0|0|0" passage="Ps 20" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ps.xxi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.1-Ps.20.5" parsed="|Ps|20|1|20|5" passage="Ps 20:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.20.1-Ps.20.5">
<h4 id="Ps.xxi-p1.8">Petitions against Sin.</h4>
<div class="Center" id="Ps.xxi-p1.9">
<p id="Ps.xxi-p2">To the chief musician. A psalm of David.</p>
</div>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xxi-p3">1 The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxi-p3.1">Lord</span> hear
thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend
thee;   2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen
thee out of Zion;   3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept
thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.   4 Grant thee according to thine
own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.   5 We will rejoice in
thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up <i>our</i>
banners: the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxi-p3.2">Lord</span> fulfil all thy
petitions.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p4">This prayer for David is entitled <i>a
psalm of David;</i> nor was it any absurdity at all for him who was
divinely inspired to draw up a directory, or form of prayer, to be
used in the congregation for himself and those in authority under
him; nay it is very proper for those who desire the prayers of
their friends to tell them particularly what they would have to be
asked of God for them. Note, Even great and good men, and those
that know ever so well how to pray for themselves, must not
despise, but earnestly desire, the prayers of others for them, even
those that are their inferiors in all respects. Paul often begged
of his friends to pray for him. Magistrates and those in power
ought to esteem and encourage praying people, to reckon them their
strength (<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.12.5 Bible:Zech.12.10" parsed="|Zech|12|5|0|0;|Zech|12|10|0|0" passage="Zec 12:5,10">Zech. xii. 5,
10</scripRef>), and to do what they can for them, that they may
have an interest in their prayers and may do nothing to forfeit it.
Now observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p5">I. What it is that they are taught to ask
of God for the king.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p6">1. That God would answer his prayers:
<i>The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.1" parsed="|Ps|20|1|0|0" passage="Ps 20:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), and <i>the Lord fulfil all thy
petitions,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.5" parsed="|Ps|20|5|0|0" passage="Ps 20:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>.
Note, (1.) Even the greatest of men may be much in trouble. It was
often a day of trouble with David himself, of disappointment and
distress, of treading down and of perplexity. Neither the crown on
his head nor the grace in his heart would exempt him from the
trouble. (2.) Even the greatest of men must be much in prayer.
David, though a man of business, a man of war, was constant to his
devotions; though he had prophets, and priests, and many good
people among his subjects, to pray for him, he did not think that
excused him from praying for himself. Let none expect benefit by
the prayers of the church, or of their ministers or friends for
them, who are capable of praying for themselves, and yet neglect
it. The prayers of others for us must be desired, not to supersede,
but to second, our own for ourselves. Happy the people that have
praying princes, to whose prayers they may thus say,
<i>Amen.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p7">2. That God would protect his person, and
preserve his life, in the perils of war: "<i>The name of the God of
Jacob defend thee,</i> and set thee out of the reach of thy
enemies." (1.) "Let God by his providence keep thee safe, even the
God who preserved Jacob in the days of his trouble." David had
mighty men for his guards, but he commits himself, and his people
commit him, to the care of the almighty God. (2.) "Let God by his
grace keep thee easy from the fear of evil.—<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.10" parsed="|Prov|18|10|0|0" passage="Pr 18:10">Prov. xviii. 10</scripRef>, <i>The name of the Lord is a
strong tower, into which the righteous run</i> by faith, <i>and are
safe;</i> let David be enabled to shelter himself in that strong
tower, as he has done many a time."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p8">3. That God would enable him to go on in
his undertakings for the public good—that, in the day of battle,
he would <i>send him help out of the sanctuary, and strength out of
Zion,</i> not from common providence, but from the ark of the
covenant and the peculiar favour God bears to his chosen people
Israel. That he would help him, in performance of the promises and
in answer to the prayers made in the sanctuary. Mercies out of the
sanctuary are the sweetest mercies, such as are the tokens of God's
peculiar love, the blessing of God, even our own God. Strength out
of Zion is spiritual strength, strength in the soul, in the inward
man, and that is what we should most desire both for ourselves and
others in services and sufferings.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p9">4. That God would testify his gracious
acceptance of the sacrifices he offered with his prayers, according
to the law of that time, before he went out on a dangerous
expedition: <i>The Lord remember all thy offerings and accept thy
burnt-sacrifices</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.3" parsed="|Ps|20|3|0|0" passage="Ps 20:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>), or <i>turn them to ashes;</i> that is, "The Lord
give thee the victory and success which thou didst by prayer with
sacrifices ask of him, and thereby give as full proof of his
acceptance of the sacrifice as ever he did by kindling it with fire
from heaven." By this we may now know that God accepts our
spiritual sacrifices, if by his Spirit he kindles in our souls a
holy fire of pious and divine affection and with that makes our
hearts burn within us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p10">5. That God would crown all his enterprises
and noble designs for the public welfare with the desired success
(<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.4" parsed="|Ps|20|4|0|0" passage="Ps 20:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>): <i>The Lord
grant thee according to thy own heart.</i> This they might in faith
pray for, because they knew David was a man after God's own heart,
and would design nothing but what was pleasing to him. Those who
make it their business to glorify God may expect that God will, in
one way or other, gratify them: and those who walk in his counsel
may promise themselves that he will fulfil theirs. <i>Thou shalt
devise a thing and it shall be established unto thee.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p11">II. What confidence they had of an answer
of peace to these petitions for themselves and their good king
(<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.5" parsed="|Ps|20|5|0|0" passage="Ps 20:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>): "<i>We will
rejoice in thy salvation.</i> We that are subjects will rejoice in
the preservation and prosperity of our prince;" or, rather, "In thy
salvation, O God! in thy power and promise to save, will we
rejoice; that is it which we depend upon now, and which, in the
issue, we shall have occasion greatly to rejoice in." Those that
have their eye still upon the salvation of the Lord shall have
their hearts filled with the joy of that salvation: <i>In the name
of our God will we set up our banners.</i> 1. "We will wage war in
his name; we will see that our cause be good and make his glory our
end in every expedition; we will ask counsel at his mouth, and take
him along with us; we will follow his direction, implore his aid
and depend upon it, and refer the issue to him." David went against
Goliath in the name of the Lord of hosts, <scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.45" parsed="|1Sam|17|45|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:45">1 Sam. xvii. 45</scripRef>. (2.) "We will celebrate our
victories in his name. When we lift up our banners in triumph, and
set up our trophies, it shall be in the name of our God; he shall
have all the glory of our success, and no instrument shall have any
part of the honour that is due to him."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p12">In singing this we ought to offer up to God
our hearty good wishes to the good government we are under and to
the prosperity of it. But we may look further; these prayers for
David are prophecies concerning Christ the Son of David, and in him
they were abundantly answered; he undertook the work of our
redemption, and made war upon the powers of darkness. In the day of
trouble, when his soul was exceedingly sorrowful, the Lord heard
him, heard him in that he feared (<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.5.7" parsed="|Heb|5|7|0|0" passage="Heb 5:7">Heb.
v. 7</scripRef>), <i>sent him help out of the sanctuary,</i> sent
an angel from heaven to strengthen him, took cognizance of his
offering when he made his soul an offering for sin, and accepted
his burnt-sacrifice, turned it to ashes, the fire that should have
fastened upon the sinner fastening upon the sacrifice, with which
God was well pleased. And he granted him according to his own
heart, made him to see of the travail of his soul, to his
satisfaction, prospered his good pleasure in his hand, fulfilled
all his petitions for himself and us; for him the Father heareth
always and his intercession is ever prevailing.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ps.xxi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.6-Ps.20.9" parsed="|Ps|20|6|20|9" passage="Ps 20:6-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.20.6-Ps.20.9">
<h4 id="Ps.xxi-p12.3">The Subject's Prayer for the
Sovereign.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xxi-p13">6 Now know I that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxi-p13.1">Lord</span> saveth his anointed; he will hear him from
his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.  
7 Some <i>trust</i> in chariots, and some in horses: but we will
remember the name of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxi-p13.2">Lord</span> our
God.   8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen,
and stand upright.   9 Save, <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xxi-p13.3">Lord</span>: let the king hear us when we call.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p14">Here is, I. Holy David himself triumphing
in the interest he had in the prayers of good people (<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.6" parsed="|Ps|20|6|0|0" passage="Ps 20:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>): "<i>Now know I</i> (I
that pen the psalm know it) <i>that the Lord saveth his
anointed,</i> because he hath stirred up the hearts of the seed of
Jacob to pray for him." Note, It bodes well to any prince and
people, and may justly be taken as a happy presage, when God pours
upon them a spirit of prayer. If he see us seeking him, he will be
found of us; if he cause us to hope in his word, he will establish
his word to us. Now that so many who have an interest in heaven are
praying for him he doubts not but that God will hear him, and grant
him an answer of peace, which will, 1. Take its rise from above:
<i>He will hear him from his holy heaven,</i> of which the
sanctuary was a type (<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.23" parsed="|Heb|9|23|0|0" passage="Heb 9:23">Heb. ix.
23</scripRef>), from the throne he hath prepared in heaven, of
which the mercy-seat was a type. 2. It shall take its effect here
below: He will hear him <i>with the saving strength of his right
hand;</i> he will give a real answer to his prayers, and the
prayers of his friends for him, not by letter, nor by word of
mouth, but, which is much better, by his right hand, by the saving
strength of his right hand. He will make it to appear that he hears
him by what he does for him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p15">II. His people triumphing in God and their
relation to him, and his revelation of himself to them, by which
they distinguish themselves from those that live without God in the
world. 1. See the difference between worldly people and godly
people, in their confidences, <scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.7" parsed="|Ps|20|7|0|0" passage="Ps 20:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. The children of this world trust in second causes,
and think all is well if those do but smile upon them; they trust
<i>in chariots and in horses,</i> and the more of them they can
bring into the field the more sure they are of success in their
wars; probably David has here an eye to the Syrians, whose forces
consisted much of chariots and horsemen, as we find in the history
of David's victories over them, <scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.4 Bible:2Sam.10.18" parsed="|2Sam|8|4|0|0;|2Sam|10|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:4,10:18">2
Sam. viii. 4; x. 18</scripRef>. "But," say the Israelites, "we
neither have chariots and horses to trust to nor do we want them,
nor, if we had them, would we build our hopes of success upon that;
<i>but we will remember,</i> and rely upon, <i>the name of the Lord
our God,</i> upon the relation we stand in to him as the Lord our
God and the knowledge we have of him by his name," that is, all
that whereby he makes himself known; this we will remember and upon
every remembrance of it will be encouraged. Note, those who make
God and his name their praise may make God and his name their
trust. 2. See the difference in the issue of their confidences and
by that we are to judge of the wisdom of the choice; things are as
they prove; see who will be ashamed of their confidence and who
not, <scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.8" parsed="|Ps|20|8|0|0" passage="Ps 20:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. "Those
that trusted in their chariots and horses are brought down and
fallen, and their chariots and horses were so far from saving them
that they helped to sink them, and made them the easier and the
richer prey to the conqueror, <scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.4" parsed="|2Sam|8|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:4">2 Sam.
viii. 4</scripRef>. But we that trust in the name of the Lord our
God not only stand upright, and keep our ground, but have risen,
and have got ground against the enemy, and have triumphed over
them." Note, A believing obedient trust in God and his name is the
surest way both to preferment and to establishment, to rise and to
stand upright, and this will stand us in stead when
creature-confidences fail those that depend upon them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p16">III. They conclude their prayer for the
king with a <i>Hosanna, "Save, now, we beseech thee,</i> O Lord!"
<scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.9" parsed="|Ps|20|9|0|0" passage="Ps 20:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. As we read this
verse, it may be taken as a prayer that God would not only bless
the king, "Save, Lord, give him success," but that he would make
him a blessing to them, "<i>Let the king hear us</i> when we call
to him for justice and mercy." Those that would have good of their
magistrates must thus pray for them, for they, as all other
creatures, are that to us (and no more) which God makes them to be.
Or it may refer to the Messiah, that King, that King of kings; let
him hear us when we call; let him come to us according to the
promise, in the time appointed; let him, as the great Master of
requests, receive all our petitions and present them to the Father.
But many interpreters give another reading of this verse, by
altering the pause, <i>Lord, save the king, and hear us when we
call;</i> and so it is a summary of the whole psalm and is taken
into our English Liturgy; <i>O Lord! save the king, and mercifully
hear us when we call upon thee.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xxi-p17">In singing <scripRef id="Ps.xxi-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.6-Ps.20.9" parsed="|Ps|20|6|20|9" passage="Ps 20:6-9">these verses</scripRef> we should encourage ourselves
to trust in God, and stir up ourselves to pray earnestly, as we are
in duty bound, for those in authority over us, that under them we
may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and
honesty.</p>
</div></div2>