Praying for the Anointed: Psalm 20

Praying for the Anointed: Psalm 20, Christ Our King, and the Call to Intercede

Meditation on the Lord’s Anointed and Its Fulfillment in Jesus the Messiah — A Call to Intercessory Prayer for the Anointed People of God

By Joshua Thangaraj Gnanasekar 

Chief Editor - Pilgrim Echoes

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Introduction

Psalm 20 stands as a rich, royal psalm of intercession. Written by David, it is a prayer offered for the king—“the Lord’s anointed” (v. 6)—on the eve of battle or in the face of great need. Traditionally used in times of national crisis, this psalm is filled with petitions for divine protection, victory, and vindication. Yet like many Old Testament Scriptures, Psalm 20 finds its fullest meaning in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Anointed One. Through Christ, this royal psalm takes on a broader, more glorious application to the people of God, who are now anointed as a “kingdom of priests” (Rev. 1:6).

In this article, we will explore Psalm 20 verse by verse, unpack its theological richness, see how it mirrors the Messiah Jesus Christ, and draw practical lessons about praying for one another as God’s anointed ones.

Psalm 20 in Context: Structure and Themes

Psalm 20 is structured as a liturgical prayer. Scholars often divide it into three parts:

1. Verses 1–5: A community intercession for the king.

2. Verse 6: A declaration of assurance.

3. Verses 7–9: A communal expression of trust in the Lord.

David writes as both king and worshipper, representing the nation in leadership and standing before God as His anointed servant. The Hebrew term māšîaḥ (מָשִׁיחַ), meaning “anointed one,” is used in verse 6, and it is this term that becomes the foundation for the title “Messiah” in the New Testament.

Verses 1–5: Intercession for the Anointed King

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! May He send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! May He remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! May He grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! 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!” (Psalm 20:1–5)

This section is filled with intercessory blessings. The people are praying for their king—the Lord’s anointed—as he faces an uncertain future. Notice the verbs: answer, protect, send help, support, remember, regard, grant, fulfill. These are all petitions rooted in covenantal relationship.

Christ as the Fulfillment

Jesus, the ultimate Anointed One, faced His “day of trouble” not in a physical battle but in the agony of Gethsemane and the horror of the Cross. On the eve of His passion, He sought the Father’s face and submitted to the divine plan (Luke 22:42). In Him, the requests of Psalm 20 are paradoxically fulfilled: “May He fulfill all your petitions”. Christ’s greatest “petition” was for the will of God to be done—even if it meant suffering for our redemption.

The resurrection of Jesus is the answer to that prayer. The Father answered Him “in the day of trouble,” protected His purpose (though not His physical body), and granted Him the “desire” of Psalm 2:8—“the nations for Your inheritance.”

Verse 6: The Lord Saves His Anointed

“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.”

This is a confession of faith. It is no longer merely a prayer but a declaration: “Now I know.”

Theologically, this verse is rich with Messianic overtones. It draws us forward to the ultimate salvation of Christ in the resurrection. The early Church interpreted the “saving might of His right hand” as fulfilled in Jesus’ triumph over death and His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33; Phil. 2:9–11).

For the believer today, this verse is a strong anchor. All who are united with Christ by faith become part of God’s anointed people. The same saving power that raised Jesus is at work in us (Eph. 1:19–20).

Verses 7–9: Trusting in the Name of the Lord

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. O Lord, save the king! May he answer us when we call.”

The contrast is vivid: chariots and horses—the symbols of military power—are opposed to trust in the name of the Lord. In Hebrew thought, the “name” represents God’s character and presence. Trusting in His name means total dependence on His covenantal faithfulness.

Jesus and True Victory

In Jesus, the power structures of this world are turned upside down. He does not come riding a war-horse, but a donkey (Zech. 9:9). His weapon is the Word, His victory comes through sacrifice, and His banner is the Cross. He collapses and falls into death—so that we might rise and stand upright in resurrection life.

The Anointed Ones Today: All Believers as Kings and Priests

In the New Covenant, the term “anointed” no longer applies only to national kings or prophets, but to all believers. Peter writes:

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” (1 Peter 2:9)

“You have been anointed by the Holy One…” (1 John 2:20)

Every believer has been anointed with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21–22), not for worldly status but for mission, service, and holiness. We are co-heirs with Christ, seated with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). But this royal calling also places us in a spiritual battle. Like David, we too face days of trouble, and we too need the intercession and encouragement of the body of Christ.

A Call to Pray for One Another as the Anointed People of God

Psalm 20 becomes a template for intercession among believers today. Just as Israel prayed for their king, so must we pray for each other as fellow heirs of the kingdom:

• Pray for God’s help in times of trouble.

• Pray for our heart’s desires to align with His will.

• Pray for divine remembrance of our sacrifices and service.

• Pray that we may stand firm while others fall.

• Pray for salvation, healing, strength, and boldness in battle.

In a world filled with spiritual warfare, moral compromise, and confusion, the church must rise in unity to pray fervently for one another. As the Body of Christ, when one part suffers, all suffer; when one part is honored, all rejoice (1 Cor. 12:26). Praying for the “anointed ones” means praying for the fulfillment of God’s purpose in each believer.

Conclusion: Psalm 20 and the Banner of Christ

David’s psalm is no mere relic of ancient monarchy—it is a prophetic vision of the Messiah and a blueprint for the Church. Jesus is the Lord’s Anointed par excellence, and in Him, we are called to stand as anointed ones—priests, kings, and servants.

Let us wave the banner of His name (Psalm 20:5) in every arena of our lives. Let us reject the trust in “chariots and horses” and fix our eyes on the resurrected King. And let us pray with passion and purpose for one another—believing that the Lord still “answers from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand.”

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble…” (Psalm 20:1)

Let this be our prayer for every anointed brother and sister in Christ.

Reflection and Prayer

• Who in your life needs prayer as they walk through a “day of trouble”?

• Are you trusting in your own strength, or in the name of the Lord your God?

• Are you honoring others as God’s anointed ones, and lifting them up in prayer?

“Father, thank You for the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, who was victorious through the Cross. Help me to honor and pray for Your people, my fellow anointed ones. Teach me to trust in Your name and lift others up before Your throne. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”