Psalms 20 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 20

Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

20:1   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.

Commentary

A prayer of intercession, trusting in God. It may be that the people are praying for the army and their king prior to a battle, see 1 Chr 20.21.

v1-5: A series of nine prayers;

may the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you;
may He send you help from the sanctuary;
may He grant you support from Zion;
may He remember all your sacrifices;
may He accept your burnt offerings;
may He give you the desire of your heart;
may He make all your plans succeed; and
may the Lord grant all your requests.

These prayers are born in a confidence in God, not some desperation because things have gone wrong. We go forth in His name, with a shout of joy, with banners lifted up, confident in God to deliver us.

There is reference to our heart's desire, as in Ps 37.4; 73.25; our desire must increasingly match God's heart.

v6: God saves His anointed; David's own words within the prayer of his people; he was confident that God would act on behalf of His people.

v7-8: Others may have alternative deliverers, but they do not work, e.g: 2 Sam 10.15-18. In the battle those who remember the name of the Lord will rise and stand upright.

v9: God is the king of Israel; Ps 10.16; 95.3; 98.6; He is the One who fights on behalf of His people.