The Gift of Psalm 20:1-5

Today I decided to follow up on a blessing and send a thank you email to the teacher/professor of my ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship, aka Sunday School Class) and let him know how much his sharing touched my heart on Sunday. He sent back the kindest email and when he closed it he included “Psalm 20:1-5” with his signature.

Now I don’t believe things like that happen by chance, luck, or coincidence. So, on a day when I have decided to begin a blog focused on scripture I have a scripture to consider. Here it is in several versions:
Psalm 20:1-5
From the Message: 1-4 GOD answer you on the day you crash, The name God-of-Jacob put you out of harm's reach,
Send reinforcements from Holy Hill,
Dispatch from Zion fresh supplies,
Exclaim over your offerings,
Celebrate your sacrifices,
Give you what your heart desires,
Accomplish your plans.

5 When you win, we plan to raise the roof
and lead the parade with our banners.
May all your wishes come true!

From NLT: 1 In times of trouble, may the LORD answer your cry.
May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
2 May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you from Jerusalem.[a]
3 May he remember all your gifts
and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
Interlude
4 May he grant your heart’s desires
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory
and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the LORD answer all your prayers.

From the Amplified Version: 1MAY THE Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high [and defend you];
2Send you help from the sanctuary and support, refresh, and strengthen you from Zion;
3Remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah [pause, and think of that]!
4May He grant you according to your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans.
5We will [shout in] triumph at your salvation and victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

The things that jump out at me.
1. I love Peterson’s interpretation of verse 1 and specifically his reference to God answering on the day you crash. The moment I read this my eyes welled with tears. When I have told my story I have referred to my crash. The truth is that God heard my cry then and has been listening all the way.
I realized this in a fresh way the other day when I was struggling with a negative thought pattern. I didn’t want to dwell on the negative so prayed that God would remove the negative thought and fill the void with praise. As the day went on, more and more things came to mind to thank God for. There’s no room for negativity in a heart full of thanks.

2. Why the name of the God-of-Jacob? I had to go looking on this one and I really liked what I found! And again, I could really relate. I love the fact that the Bible doesn’t overlook the goof-ups. Jacob. His very name indicated his personality: heel grabber. This kid wasn’t going to take things as they came, he was going to go after what he wanted—no matter what. He was a schemer. And yet God loved him and God’s great mercy met him at his lowest point and point of greatest need. I have been in that spot.

3. Selah. Interlude. Pause. I like the way the Amplified Version puts it: pause and think about that! Pause. I don’t know about you, but I’m a full speed ahead kind of person. I’ve always been “let’s get it done!” I’m way more like Martha than Mary. I look at a hammock and think about getting it for someone else. I need more pause and hammock time in my life…and in my heart!

4. May He grant your heart’s desire and make your plans succeed. Is God big enough to do that? “Man” won’t let me. How can God?

5. As the Old Timers used to say: It’s all done but the shouting. If God accomplishes #4 then there really will be a celebration.

Well, that’s just a first look at those verses. I’m going to live with them for a while. You do it too and see where we come out.