Job 20
Psalm 20 is a psalm of David, composed in the form of prayers that the community offers for their king (leader). Overall, it contains what is sought from God to help the king in times of war or difficult circumstances. Verses 1-5 are the part where the people pray to God for the king, verses 6-8 sing with confidence about the response, and in the final verse 9 it concludes again with a plea for deliverance.
1verseThen Zophar the Naamathite answered,
2verse“Therefore my thoughts answer me, even by reason of my haste that is in me.
3verseI have heard the reproof which puts me to shame. The spirit of my understanding answers me.
4verseDon’t you know this from old time, since man was placed on earth,
5versethat the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment?
6verseThough his height mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds,
7verseyet he will perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
8verseHe will fly away as a dream, and will not be found. Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.
9verseThe eye which saw him will see him no more, neither will his place see him any more.
10verseHis children will seek the favor of the poor. His hands will give back his wealth.
11verseHis bones are full of his youth, but youth will lie down with him in the dust.
12verse“Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue,
13versethough he spare it, and will not let it go, but keep it still within his mouth,
14verseyet his food in his bowels is turned. It is cobra venom within him.
15verseHe has swallowed down riches, and he will vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his belly.
16verseHe will suck cobra venom. The viper’s tongue will kill him.
17verseHe will not look at the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter.
18verseHe will restore that for which he labored, and will not swallow it down. He will not rejoice according to the substance that he has gotten.
19verseFor he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently taken away a house, and he will not build it up.
20verse“Because he knew no quietness within him, he will not save anything of that in which he delights.
21verseThere was nothing left that he didn’t devour, therefore his prosperity will not endure.
22verseIn the fullness of his sufficiency, distress will overtake him. The hand of everyone who is in misery will come on him.
23verseWhen he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating.
24verseHe will flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow will strike him through.
25verseHe draws it out, and it comes out of his body. Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver. Terrors are on him.
26verseAll darkness is laid up for his treasures. An unfanned fire will devour him. It will consume that which is left in his tent.
27verseThe heavens will reveal his iniquity. The earth will rise up against him.
28verseThe increase of his house will depart. They will rush away in the day of his wrath.
29verseThis is the portion of a wicked man from God, the heritage appointed to him by God.”
Key Points and Meaning
- Verses 1–5: We ask that on days of suffering, God would help the king, accept every offering, and bring to completion all the plans he has. These entries show what a faithful community that relies on God looks like.
- Verses 6–8: The psalmist is confident that God will respond to the one he has anointed (the king). It emphasizes that, unlike relying on human strength (chariots, horses, etc.), true strength comes from relying on God’s name alone.
- Verse 9: Finally, we pray that both the king and his people may experience God’s deliverance. As a result, Psalm 20 reminds both individuals and the community that they must rely on God.
Reflection Point
- During times of trials and hardship, what should our hearts be like when we rely on God?
- Or when either we or our community faces difficulties, we reflect on whether there is a way of seeking God without depending on other things (ability, circumstances, people, etc.).
- We take another moment to remember the power of intercessory prayer offered to God and the importance of praying for one another within the community.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In difficult and anxious situations, check what you look for first and who you lean on.
- You can practice a life of prayer where you become an intercessor for others and the community in the home, faith community, and society you belong to.
- Today, entrust all your plans and worries to God and carry faith that trusts in His guidance.
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