Psalm 20

A warrior's psalm of premeditated victory

I. The Abilities of the Lord (vs 1-4)

     A. The LORD hears in the day of trouble(vs 1)
          trouble - (Psalm 77:2) 120:1 – distress

     B. The LORD defends (vs 1) – The Lord of Hosts
          defend – set up inaccessibly high see Ps 6 9:29/ 91:14

     C. The LORD sends help out of the sanctuary (vs 2)

     D. The LORD strengthens out of Zion (vs 2)
          Psalm 18:35 – holden me up Is 9:7 establish

     E. The LORD remembers (vs 3) – Acceptable sacrifice
          Kings would sacrifice to God before going to battle

     F. The LORD grants the desire of the righteous (vs 4)
          The importance of our will being God's (1Jn 5:14)
          grant – bestow, permit, entrust, give, dedicate

II. The Acknowledgements of the Believers (vs 5-8)

     A. We will rejoice His salvation (vs 5)

     B. We will set up our banners in His name (vs 5)
          Banners = flags / standards - Identification
          Numbers 2 / SoS 6:4,10 / Sos 2:4
     C. We will realize answered prayer (vs 5)

     D. We will know that God does A-C by his power (vs 6)

     E. We will not be like the world (vs 7-8)
          Ex 14

     F. We will remember His name - LORD our God (vs 7)


III. The Action of the Believers (vs 9) - Prayer

Ps 25:20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Keys to answered prayer

1) Faith (Mt 21:18-21)(Mk 11:24)(James 1:5-7)(5:15)

2) Faithfulness (Luke 11:1-8) (John 15:7)

3) Fasting (Mt 17:21)(1Cor 7:5)

4) Forgiveness (Mk 11:25-26)

5) Forsaking Sin (Ps 66:18)(Pro 15:29)(1Jn 3:22)

6) Found in God's will (1Jn 5:14)