May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!… May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!
– Psalm 20:4-5
Before we assume these verses apply to us, we must look at the broader context of this psalm. Psalm 20 is a Royal Psalm, written to the king, and this is evidenced clearly by verse 9, which says: “O Lord, save the king!” So when we read verses 4 and 5, we cannot insert ourselves into the “yous” and “yours.” No, the psalmist is speaking about the king, asking God to grant all of the king’s desires, petitions, and plans. Of course, this does not prohibit us from asking God for our heart’s desires (see Ps 37:4): only that this psalm specifically is written for the king.
My heart is so anxious to show you how these verses point not to ourselves—but to Jesus. All Scripture finds fulfillment in Him (Lk 24:27). What the psalmist addressed to an earthly king, the Holy Spirit spoke of our eternal King—Jesus, the Son of David, come into the flesh, as one of us. When we see Jesus as the true Messianic ruler promised to the line of David, these verses become wonderfully full. Through the Holy Spirit, the author of this psalm asks God the Father to grant these requests to God the Son. Let us see how Christ fulfills each of these:
- Jesus, may God your Father grant you your heart’s desire!
What was the heart of Jesus? Compassion for sinners: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36).
What was the desire of this beating heart? For us to come to Him: “Come to me…and I will give you rest…for I am gentle and lowly in heart…” (Mt 11:28–29).
What does He do when we come to Him? He heals us: “and with his wounds we are healed” (Isa 53:5).
- Jesus, may God your Father fulfill all your plans!
What were the plans of Jesus? To do the Father’s will: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (Jn 6:38).
What was the Father’s will? To save us: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45)
How did He save us? By giving His life freely: “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (Jn 10:18).
- Jesus, may God your Father fulfill all your petitions!
How did Jesus pray while He was on the earth? With fervent tears: “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears” (Heb 5:7).
Who did our High Priest pray for with loud cries and tears? You and me: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word” (Jn 17:20)
What did He pray for in His most trying hour? Our eternal salvation: “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (Jn 17:24).
How does Jesus intercede for us now? As our Mediator in heaven: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
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How wonderful the truths our Savior has fulfilled! Do you see how this psalm is made complete in Him? Lord Jesus, may we see your glory as you now reign as the King of kings and Lord of lords. May your name be glorified in us. May the desires of your heart to seek and save the lost be accomplished among us with great glory and power. We praise you for being our Great High Priest who always lives to intercede for us. Long live the King! Amen.