Psalms 20
Tap any word to open its Greek or Hebrew word and Strong’s lexicon entry right here, and any name to open its Bible Dictionary entry. Read this chapter with JFB commentary · Search the Bible
THY WORD IS TRUTH
The Law
History
Poetry & Wisdom
The Prophets
The Gospels & Acts
The Letters
Prophecy
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150
Psalms 20
The LORD Hear Thee in the Day of Trouble
1The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 20
Psa 20:1-9. David probably composed this Psalm to express the prayers of the pious for his success as at once the head of the Church and nation. Like other compositions of which David in such relations is the subject, its sentiments have a permanent value--the prosperity of Christ's kingdom being involved, as well as typified, in that of Israel and its king.
1. hear thee--graciously (Psa 4:1).
name of--or manifested perfections, as power, wisdom, &c.
defend thee--set thee on high from danger (Psa 9:9; 18:3).
PSALM 20
Psa 20:1-9. David probably composed this Psalm to express the prayers of the pious for his success as at once the head of the Church and nation. Like other compositions of which David in such relations is the subject, its sentiments have a permanent value--the prosperity of Christ's kingdom being involved, as well as typified, in that of Israel and its king.
1. hear thee--graciously (Psa 4:1).
name of--or manifested perfections, as power, wisdom, &c.
defend thee--set thee on high from danger (Psa 9:9; 18:3).
The Pulpit Commentary
The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble. The people intercede for their king in a "clay of trouble" or "distress," when danger impends, and he is about to affront it. They are made to ask, first of all, that God will hear the king's prayers, which are no doubt being silently offered while they pray aloud. The Name of the God of Jacob defend thee. (On the force of the expression, "the Name of God," see the comment upon Psa_7:17.) "Jacob's God"—a favourite expression with David—is the God who made him the promise, "I will be with thee, and I will keep thee in all places whither thou goest" (Gen_28:15). "Defend thee" is scarcely a correct rendering. Translate, exalt thee.'
The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble. The people intercede for their king in a "clay of trouble" or "distress," when danger impends, and he is about to affront it. They are made to ask, first of all, that God will hear the king's prayers, which are no doubt being silently offered while they pray aloud. The Name of the God of Jacob defend thee. (On the force of the expression, "the Name of God," see the comment upon Psa_7:17.) "Jacob's God"—a favourite expression with David—is the God who made him the promise, "I will be with thee, and I will keep thee in all places whither thou goest" (Gen_28:15). "Defend thee" is scarcely a correct rendering. Translate, exalt thee.'
2Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. strengthen thee--sustain in conflict; even physical benefits may be included, as courage for war, &c., as such may proceed from a sense of divine favor, secured in the use of spiritual privileges.
2. strengthen thee--sustain in conflict; even physical benefits may be included, as courage for war, &c., as such may proceed from a sense of divine favor, secured in the use of spiritual privileges.
The Pulpit Commentary
Send thee help from the sanctuary. "The sanctuary" here is undoubtedly the holy place which David had established on Mount Zion, and in which he had placed the ark of the covenant. God's help was always regarded as coming especially from the place where he had "set his Name." In the original it is, "Send thy help"—the help thou needest and prayest for. And strengthen thee out of Zion; rather, support thee.
Send thee help from the sanctuary. "The sanctuary" here is undoubtedly the holy place which David had established on Mount Zion, and in which he had placed the ark of the covenant. God's help was always regarded as coming especially from the place where he had "set his Name." In the original it is, "Send thy help"—the help thou needest and prayest for. And strengthen thee out of Zion; rather, support thee.
3Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. all thy offerings--or gifts, vegetable offerings.
accept--literally, "turn to ashes" (compare 1Ki 18:38).
Selah--(See on Psa 3:2).
3. all thy offerings--or gifts, vegetable offerings.
accept--literally, "turn to ashes" (compare 1Ki 18:38).
Selah--(See on Psa 3:2).
The Pulpit Commentary
Remember all thy offerings. (On David's offerings, see 2Sa_6:13, 2Sa_6:17; 2Sa_24:25; 1Ch_15:26; 1Ch_16:1; 1Ch_21:28; 1Ch_29:21.) It is not to be supposed, however, that David ever sacrificed victims with his own hand, or without the intervention of a priest. And accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. It is a reasonable conjecture that the "Selah" here marks a "pause," during which special sacrifices were offered, with a view of entreating God's favour and protection in the coming war (Hengstenberg).
Remember all thy offerings. (On David's offerings, see 2Sa_6:13, 2Sa_6:17; 2Sa_24:25; 1Ch_15:26; 1Ch_16:1; 1Ch_21:28; 1Ch_29:21.) It is not to be supposed, however, that David ever sacrificed victims with his own hand, or without the intervention of a priest. And accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. It is a reasonable conjecture that the "Selah" here marks a "pause," during which special sacrifices were offered, with a view of entreating God's favour and protection in the coming war (Hengstenberg).
4Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. thy counsel--or plan.
4. thy counsel--or plan.
The Pulpit Commentary
Grant thee according to thine own heart; i.e. whatever thy heart desireth "in connection with this expedition, all that thou hopest from it, all that thou wouldst have it accomplish." And fulfil all thy counsel; i.e. make all thy plans to prosper.
Grant thee according to thine own heart; i.e. whatever thy heart desireth "in connection with this expedition, all that thou hopest from it, all that thou wouldst have it accomplish." And fulfil all thy counsel; i.e. make all thy plans to prosper.
5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. salvation--that wrought and experienced by him.
set up our banners--(Nu 2:3, 10). In usual sense, or, as some render, "may we be made great."
5. salvation--that wrought and experienced by him.
set up our banners--(Nu 2:3, 10). In usual sense, or, as some render, "may we be made great."
The Pulpit Commentary
We will rejoice in thy salvation. David's" salvation" is here his triumph over his enemies, which the people confidently anticipate, and promise themselves the satisfaction of speedily celebrating with joy and rejoicing. And in the Name of our God we will set up our banners. Plant them, i.e; on the enemy's forts and strongholds. The Lord fulfil all thy petitions. A comprehensive prayer, re-echoing the first clause of Psa_20:1 and the whole of Psa_20:4, but reaching out further to all that the monarch may at any future time request of God, The first part of the psalm here ends, and the people pause for a while.
We will rejoice in thy salvation. David's" salvation" is here his triumph over his enemies, which the people confidently anticipate, and promise themselves the satisfaction of speedily celebrating with joy and rejoicing. And in the Name of our God we will set up our banners. Plant them, i.e; on the enemy's forts and strongholds. The Lord fulfil all thy petitions. A comprehensive prayer, re-echoing the first clause of Psa_20:1 and the whole of Psa_20:4, but reaching out further to all that the monarch may at any future time request of God, The first part of the psalm here ends, and the people pause for a while.
6Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. He speaks as if suddenly assured of a hearing.
his anointed--not only David personally, but as the specially appointed head of His Church.
his holy heaven--or, literally, "the heavens of His holiness," where He resides (Psa 2:6; 11:4).
saving ... hand--His power which brings salvation.
6. He speaks as if suddenly assured of a hearing.
his anointed--not only David personally, but as the specially appointed head of His Church.
his holy heaven--or, literally, "the heavens of His holiness," where He resides (Psa 2:6; 11:4).
saving ... hand--His power which brings salvation.
The Pulpit Commentary
Now know I. The employment of the first person singular marks a change in the speaker, and is best explained by supposing that either the high priest or the king himself takes the word. The offering of the solemn prayer (Psa_20:1-5) and of the sacrifices (see the comment on Psa_20:3) has been followed by a full conviction that the prayer is granted, and the triumph of David assured. What was previously hoped for is "now known." That the Lord saveth (or, hath saved) his anointed (comp. Psa_18:50). He will hear him from his holy heaven; literally, from the heaven of his holiness. With the saving strength of his right hand. God will hear him, i.e; and, having heard him, will help and defend him "with the saving strength of his right hand."
Now know I. The employment of the first person singular marks a change in the speaker, and is best explained by supposing that either the high priest or the king himself takes the word. The offering of the solemn prayer (Psa_20:1-5) and of the sacrifices (see the comment on Psa_20:3) has been followed by a full conviction that the prayer is granted, and the triumph of David assured. What was previously hoped for is "now known." That the Lord saveth (or, hath saved) his anointed (comp. Psa_18:50). He will hear him from his holy heaven; literally, from the heaven of his holiness. With the saving strength of his right hand. God will hear him, i.e; and, having heard him, will help and defend him "with the saving strength of his right hand."
7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. remember--or cause to remember, mention thankfully (1Sa 17:45; Psa 33:16).
7. remember--or cause to remember, mention thankfully (1Sa 17:45; Psa 33:16).
The Pulpit Commentary
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses. The enemies of David towards the north—Syrians of Zobah, and Maachah, and Damascus, and Beth-Rehob—were especially formidable on account of their cavalry and their chariots. David on one occasion "took from Hadarezer, King of Zobah, a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen" (1Ch_18:4). On another he "slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots" (1Ch_19:18). His own troops appear to have consisted entirely of footmen. But we will remember the Name of the Lord our God. Our trust, i.e; shall be in the Lord, who has commanded our kings "not to multiply horses" (Deu_17:16).
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses. The enemies of David towards the north—Syrians of Zobah, and Maachah, and Damascus, and Beth-Rehob—were especially formidable on account of their cavalry and their chariots. David on one occasion "took from Hadarezer, King of Zobah, a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen" (1Ch_18:4). On another he "slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots" (1Ch_19:18). His own troops appear to have consisted entirely of footmen. But we will remember the Name of the Lord our God. Our trust, i.e; shall be in the Lord, who has commanded our kings "not to multiply horses" (Deu_17:16).
8They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. They--that is, who trust in horses, &c.
stand upright--literally, "we have straightened ourselves up from our distress and fears."
8. They--that is, who trust in horses, &c.
stand upright--literally, "we have straightened ourselves up from our distress and fears."
The Pulpit Commentary
They are brought down and fallen; but we are risen, and stand upright. Confident of the result, the speaker represents it as already achieved. He sees the enemy bowed down to the earth, and fallen; he sees the host of Israel erect and triumphant. All stands out clearly before his vision, as though he were an actual spectator of the fight.
They are brought down and fallen; but we are risen, and stand upright. Confident of the result, the speaker represents it as already achieved. He sees the enemy bowed down to the earth, and fallen; he sees the host of Israel erect and triumphant. All stands out clearly before his vision, as though he were an actual spectator of the fight.
9Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. let the king hear--as God's representative, delivered to deliver. Perhaps a better sense is, "Lord, save the king; hear us when we call," or pray.
9. let the king hear--as God's representative, delivered to deliver. Perhaps a better sense is, "Lord, save the king; hear us when we call," or pray.
The Pulpit Commentary
Save, Lord! This punctuation is adopted by Delitzsch, Kay, Professor Alexander, Hengstenberg, and our Revisers; but is opposed by Rosenmuller, Bishop Horsley, Ewald, Hupfeld, Cheyne, and the 'Speaker's Commentary.' It has the Hebrew Masoretie text in its favour, the Septuagint and Vulgate against it. Authorities are thus nearly equally balanced on the point; and we are at liberty to translate either, "Save, Lord: may the King hear us when we call!" or, "O Lord save the king: maybe hear us when we call (upon him)!" On the whole, perhaps, the former is preferable.
Save, Lord! This punctuation is adopted by Delitzsch, Kay, Professor Alexander, Hengstenberg, and our Revisers; but is opposed by Rosenmuller, Bishop Horsley, Ewald, Hupfeld, Cheyne, and the 'Speaker's Commentary.' It has the Hebrew Masoretie text in its favour, the Septuagint and Vulgate against it. Authorities are thus nearly equally balanced on the point; and we are at liberty to translate either, "Save, Lord: may the King hear us when we call!" or, "O Lord save the king: maybe hear us when we call (upon him)!" On the whole, perhaps, the former is preferable.
THE HOLY BIBLE
Psalms
Chapter 20
Translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
KING JAMES VERSION
HOLY
BIBLE
BIBLE
KING JAMES VERSION
TAP THE BIBLE TO OPEN IT
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — PSALM 119:105