Psalm 20

To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1   The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
    The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2   May he send you help from the sanctuary,
    and give you support from Zion.
3   May he remember all your offerings,
    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.  Selah
4   May he grant you your heart’s desire,
    and fulfill all your plans.
5   May we shout for joy over your victory,
    and in the name of our God set up our banners.
  May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
6   Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed;
    he will answer him from his holy heaven
    with mighty victories by his right hand.
7   Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
    but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God.
8   They will collapse and fall,
    but we shall rise and stand upright.
9   Give victory to the king, O LORD;
    answer us when we call.

Daily Prayer (based on Psalm 20:7)

In what do I take pride, Lord? Where do I place my ultimate confidence? What do I value most of all in life? When I'm facing daunting challenges, where do I look for help?

Postscript

The verb translated in the NRSV as "take pride" has a wide range of meanings, including: "trust" (NIV, ESV, KJV) or "boast" (NLT) or "invoke the name of" (NET). The Hebrew verb is based on the simple verb "to remember," and could be translated literally as "to cause to remember." The sense of this verb in Psalm 20:7 has to do with where we put our value, whether our trust or our pride. It's a question of fundamental reliance and confidence. This verse challenges us to consider how much we really value the Lord.

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Except for the Scripture text, all material of The Daily Psalm Copyright © 2006 by Mark D. Roberts

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The Scripture text used in The Daily Psalm is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved