"Go right through for MSU, watch the score keep growing..."

"Hail to the victors, vailent; hail to the conquering heroes..."

"Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame, wake up the echoes cheering her name..."

Ever wonder when all these fight songs got started? They have to go way, way back, right?. But just how far?

There's at least one fight song that goes all the way back to the Psalms.

I seem to do a lot of reading in the Psalms. I find them refreshing - from the themes to the poetry to even some of the imagery. I also appreciate their realness and rawness. Often the writer is begging for help. Sometimes he's angry, sometimes he's discouraged, sometimes he's afraid. Sometimes he's even struggling with God - but it all gets laid out there for everyone to see.

A few weeks ago I read Psalm 20 and found some encouragement.
 

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 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.

Did you know this song is actually a fight song? David is on his way to war, but before going into battle, he stops by the sanctuary to pray (and sing), along with the choir and/or congregation.

The first four verses are actually the people's song, or prayer, for David - that God would protect him and be responsive to David's needs. Verse 5 serves as a rousing chorus of affirmation - surely God will answer and bless!

And then David sings a solo in verses 4-8. He declares his confidence in God. Verse 7 is especially triumphant, and, at the same time, challenging. "We trust in the name of the Lord our God."

It's God who gives victories. Too often we put our trust in other things (though not so much in horses or chariots). Sometimes we trust in our jobs, sometimes we trust in our friends, sometimes we trust in our own abilities, sometimes we trust in institutions - but when we do that, we're marginalizing God. It's not that we don't bear some responsibility. David had to go into battle, not just sit around and sing with the congregation, but as he went, God provided.

Maybe you are facing a battle today. My prayer for you is that the Lord answer you, send you help, give you support and success as you wade into battle.

Maybe you are aware of someone else facing a battle. Don't miss the significance of where David went for encouragement. To God, yes. But also to the people! They sang along with him.

So who is it that you know right now who is facing a battle?  Can you pray for them?  Pray with them?  Can you sing along?  They may need to hear your voice!