What are you thankful for during this Thanksgiving season? What sorts of good things would you wish for others? In verses 1-4, David focuses on the sorts of military blessings that soldiers like him would most desire: protection, help and support in the midst of battle. He wants his allies’ plans to go well, so that they would achieve the victory that is their hearts’ desire.

But if we stop there, with a focus on the things we want or the things we already have, we have missed the whole point of Thanksgiving – which is, after all, to give thanks and praise to Someone for all of these things. David understands this, which is why in verses 5 and 6 he says will shout with joy, not when he himself receives blessings, but when someone else does. When anyone’s prayers are answered, he will raise up his own banner in the name of the lord. When others have reason to give thanks, David is made more sure that God answers prayer.

In other words, it doesn’t really matter who receives the blessings – all answered prayers should be fuel for our faith. Every evidence of God’s power and mercy should help us turn away from putting our trust in chariots and horses, or in any modern weapon of war, or in money or power or fame or popularity or competence or anything else on which we might be tempted to rely.

For we have already seen the greatest assurance of God’s power and grace, displayed after the death of the Lord Jesus. By raising Him from the dead, God not only answered David’s prayers to save His Anointed King. He also gives us the greatest assurance that our risen Lord will answer our prayers from His throne in Heaven, saving us from the worst of our enemies, from sin and death. For His saving might is indeed in His right hand, which was pierced on the cross that we might be forgiven and freed. May He be our hearts’ desire during this Thanksgiving season.

Psalm 20 (ESV)

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May 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 salvation, 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 saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.
9 O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call.