Psalm 20:4 kjv
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
Psalm 20:4 nkjv
May He grant you according to your heart's desire, And fulfill all your purpose.
Psalm 20:4 niv
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Psalm 20:4 esv
May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!
Psalm 20:4 nlt
May he grant your heart's desires
and make all your plans succeed.
Psalm 20 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 37:4 | Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will grant you the desires of your heart. | God grants desires aligned with Him |
| Psa 145:19 | He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry... | God hears and fulfills righteous desires |
| Prov 10:24 | ...the desire of the righteous will be granted. | Righteous desires are granted |
| Psa 33:11 | The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all... | God's plans are eternal and unfailing |
| Isa 14:27 | For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? | God's purposes are sovereign |
| Prov 19:21 | Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. | God's ultimate sovereignty over human plans |
| Lam 3:37 | Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? | All things happen according to God's command |
| Rom 8:28 | ...all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called... | God works through circumstances for His purpose |
| Phil 2:13 | ...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. | God empowers desire and action for His will |
| Psa 21:2 | You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request... | God's favor granted to the king (fulfilling Psa 20:4) |
| Psa 72:1-7 | May he judge your people with righteousness... | Prayer for a king's righteous reign and prosperity |
| Prov 8:15 | By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just. | Kings rule through God's authority |
| Rom 13:1 | For there is no authority except from God... | All authority established by God |
| Psa 65:2 | O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. | God is the one who hears prayer |
| Mt 7:7 | Ask, and it will be given to you... | Promises regarding prayer and asking |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... | God grants wisdom freely upon asking |
| 1 Jn 5:14 | And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything... | Confidence in prayer according to God's will |
| Deut 20:4 | For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight... | God's presence and aid in battle |
| 2 Chr 20:15 | ...the battle is not yours but God's. | Victory comes from God, not human might |
| Psa 44:5 | Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those... | God gives victory in battle |
| Psa 144:1 | Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war... | God empowering for battle |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God... | God's assurance of help and presence |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart... he will make straight your paths. | Seeking God's guidance for all plans |
| Jer 29:11-13 | For I know the plans I have for you... to give you a future and a hope. | God's benevolent plans for His people |
| Heb 13:21 | equip you with everything good that you may do his will... | God enabling to do His will |
Psalm 20 verses
Psalm 20 4 Meaning
This verse is a heartfelt prayer or blessing, spoken on behalf of the king, entreating the Almighty to graciously grant him the deep-seated aspirations of his heart and to bring to fruition all his strategies and endeavors. It signifies a profound trust that God will validate and enable the righteous intentions and plans of His anointed leader, particularly in the context of the king's public duties, such as warfare or governance.
Psalm 20 4 Context
Psalm 20 is a psalm of supplication, functioning primarily as a communal prayer for the king of Israel as he prepares for or embarks upon battle. The surrounding verses depict a reliance on God for victory, in stark contrast to the common ancient Near Eastern trust in chariots or horses. The psalm is an act of faith and intercession for the reigning monarch, expressing the nation's hope in divine favor and intervention for their leader’s endeavors. Verse 4 specifically verbalizes a key petition for the king’s personal and strategic success, linking his "heart's desire" and "plans" directly to God's active blessing and fulfillment, implying that these desires and plans are in alignment with the divine will and purpose for Israel. This prayer, against the backdrop of an impending conflict, highlights the profound conviction that true victory and success come not from human strength or strategy alone, but from the Almighty.
Psalm 20 4 Word analysis
- May he grant you: The Hebrew term here is יִתֶּן (yitēn), derived from the root נָתַן (natan), meaning "to give" or "to place." It is presented in a jussive form, which expresses a strong wish, prayer, or command. This indicates a direct plea for God to actively bestow. The implied "He" is the Sovereign God.
- your heart's desire: "Your heart" is לְבָבֶךָ (lĕvāvekā). In Hebrew thought, the heart (לֵב/לֵבָב) is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's being, encompassing intellect, will, thoughts, and intentions. It is the center of purpose and understanding. "Desire" (מִשְׁאֲלַת - mish'alat) signifies a specific request, a petition, or a deep longing. This implies an earnest petition from the king's deepest being, understood to be for the welfare and purpose of his rule.
- and fulfill: This corresponds to the Hebrew verb יְמַלֵּא (yĕmalleʾ), which comes from the root מָלֵא (malē'), meaning "to fill," "to make full," or "to fulfill." Here, it signifies the act of bringing something to completion or realizing a goal. It is in the jussive form as well, parallel to "may he grant," expressing a prayer for God to complete the plans.
- all your plans: This is וְכָל־עֲצָתְךָ (vĕkhol-atsateḵā), from עֵצָה (etsah), meaning "counsel, advice, purpose, or strategy." It denotes deliberate and well-considered intentions or designs. Thus, the prayer is that God would not only assent to the king’s objectives but actively cause his thoughtful and purposeful strategies, especially those aimed at upholding justice and protecting the nation, to come to fruition.
- Word-group analysis:
- "May he grant you your heart's desire": This phrase emphasizes the divine source of fulfillment – God alone. It speaks to the intimate relationship between God and the one being prayed for, implying that genuine desires, those aligned with God’s will, are precisely what He wishes to bestow. It's a prayer for inner aspirations to become external realities through divine intervention.
- "and fulfill all your plans": This phrase complements the first, moving from the internal desire to the external execution and completion of one’s purposes. It underscores that even well-laid human strategies require divine enablement to succeed, particularly in significant undertakings like leading a nation or engaging in warfare. The success of any significant human endeavor, especially for a leader entrusted with God’s people, is ultimately contingent upon divine blessing and the alignment with God’s broader, sovereign design.
Psalm 20 4 Bonus section
- This verse stands as a testament to the theological understanding that while humanity makes plans, it is the Lord who establishes the steps (Prov 16:9). The king’s plans are not arbitrary; they are hoped to be aligned with divine purpose, hence the confidence in God's answering prayer.
- The phrase "heart's desire" should be interpreted through the lens of other biblical texts which encourage delighting in the Lord (Psa 37:4) or seeking His kingdom first (Mt 6:33). It's not a carte blanche for any selfish wish, but a divine endorsement for those aspirations that originate from a heart aligned with God's will.
- The communal utterance of this prayer for the king underscores the corporate identity and shared faith of Israel, where the welfare of the leader was seen as intertwined with the welfare of the nation, and both were dependent on God.
- In the New Testament, this sentiment resonates with believers being "made willing" by God for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13), implying that even our desires can be God-breathed.
Psalm 20 4 Commentary
Psalm 20:4 is a poignant and powerful prayer, collectively uttered for the king of Israel, petitioning God to grant him success in his royal undertakings. It serves as an acknowledgement that true leadership and victory do not solely stem from human foresight or military might, but from divine favor and enablement. The "heart's desire" and "plans" mentioned are implicitly understood to be righteous intentions and strategies that align with God's overarching purpose for His people. It is a prayer of trust, expecting that the God who hears will also act to bring these noble aspirations and well-laid plans to a prosperous completion. The verse teaches us that for any endeavor, especially those concerning God’s kingdom or the well-being of His people, it is through humble reliance on Him that desires find their true fulfillment and plans come to successful fruition.