Using his imagination, Blaiklock moves from Psalm 20 to 21 as follows:
Psalm 20 – “The king is about to go to battle…the people invoke God’s blessing…The royal leader has drawn strength from the loyalty and loving regard of those who have prayed for him…The people round off…in a loud cry of affirmation. An anthem closes the prayer, ‘God save the king’…
The place of worship empties, and…the army marches out of Jerusalem. Will the weary repetitions of man’s history never cease? Darkness fell and the long wait began. In small homes hearts were heavy, women lonely and children large-eyed with apprehension.”
Psalm 21 – “Was it weeks, was it months, before the army marched back? It seemed years to some, but they came back, those who came back, with victory, and those who still could sing were gathered to render thanks for vast deliverance…the king [has] returned in triumph, the nation [is] saved [from the enemy], prayer [has been] answered [and] the outcome is ascribed to God.” (see references # 37)
They knew it in their minds, they proclaimed it with their mouths, that Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God, but now it is confirmed again in their hearts! Their faith was not displaced, it was not just ‘wishful optimism but realistic faith’. It was real because God is real and powerful and faithful to his people, as promised in His Word.
Note the connection again between these two psalms:
May he [God] give you [king] the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed. (Psalm 20:4)
You [God] have granted him [king] his heart’s desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips. (Psalm 21:2)
And so, the follow up psalm is composed and recited with great joy:
Psalm 21
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!
2 You have granted him his heart’s desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips.
3 You came to greet him with rich blessings
and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
length of days, for ever and ever.
5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
you have bestowed on him splendour and majesty.
6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings
and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord;
through the unfailing love of the Most High
he will not be shaken.
What a delight it is to work under leadership that has some of the qualities of this king described here. Listen again to the description given:
- The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give! (verse 1)
- [you] made him glad with the joy of your presence (verse 6)
- the king trusts in the Lord, through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken. (verse 7)
What a difference it would make to our churches, ministries, countries to first of all just pray regularly for our leaders and then to pray for these qualities (and more) in our leaders – our pastors, ministry leaders, politicians and others.
So, Father, I pray right now for pastors that they will rejoice in the strength that you give them and find joy in the good things that you accomplish through them. Make them glad with the joy of your presence day by day. May they continue to put their trust in you, no matter what comes their way, being aware daily of your unfailing love towards them, enabling them to stand firm. And, knowing their love for you, grant them the desires of their hearts as they seek to glorify you and serve others with the good news of Jesus. Amen
Tehilim (Psalms) - "songs of praise". 