Psalms Chapter 20 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high,
2 send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion,
3 remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah.
4 May he grant you your heart's desire, and fulfil all your counsel.
5 We will triumph in your salvation. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners. May the LORD grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength 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 are bowed down and fallen, but we rise up, and stand upright.
9 Save, LORD! Let the King answer us when we call!
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Psalms Chapter 20 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Guide
This and the next psalms are certainly closely connected. The first is the prayer of the people on behalf of the king as he goes forth to battle. The first five verses were sung in chorus and express the consciousness of the supreme need in this day of trouble. The foes are gathered, the battle must be fought. Help must come from the sanctuary and strength from Zion. In the name of God the banners must be set up. The next verse is a solo. The voice of the king is heard announcing his confidence in Jehovah. Immediately the chorus takes up the music and contrasts the confidence of the foe in chariots and horses with the confidence of those who follow the king in the name of Jehovah, who is their God.
Following the contrast of confidence is that of issue: They are bowed down and fallen; But we are risen, and stand upright.
The whole ends with a prayer in such form as recognizes the kingship of Jehovah. Today, the weapons of our warfare are no longer carnal, but we have a conflict to wage and the secrets of strength for us are revealed as clearly here as for those of olden times.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Psalms Chapter 20 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- This psalm is a prayer for the kings of Israel, but with relation to Christ.
Even the greatest of men may be much in trouble. Neither the crown on the king's head, nor the grace in his heart, would make him free from trouble. Even the greatest of men must be much in prayer. Let none expect benefit by the prayers of the church, or their friends, who are capable of praying for themselves, yet neglect it. Pray that God would protect his person, and preserve his life. That God would enable him to go on in his undertakings for the public good. We may know that God accepts our spiritual sacrifices, if by his Spirit he kindles in our souls a holy fire of piety and love to God. Also, that the Lord would crown his enterprises with success. Our first step to victory in spiritual warfare is to trust only in the mercy and grace of God; all who trust in themselves will soon be cast down. Believers triumph in God, and his revelation of himself to them, by which they distinguish themselves from those that live without God in the world. Those who make God and his name their praise, may make God and his name their trust. This was the case when the pride and power of Jewish unbelief, and pagan idolatry, fell before the sermons and lives of the humble believers in Jesus. This is the case in every conflict with our spiritual enemies, when we engage them in the name, the spirit, and the power of Christ; and this will be the case at the last day, when the world, with the prince of it, shall be brought down and fall; but believers, risen-from the dead, through the resurrection of the Lord, shall stand, and sing his praises in heaven. In Christ's salvation let us rejoice; and set up our banners in the name of the Lord our God, assured that by the saving strength of his right hand we shall be conquerors over every enemy.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.