They were an acknowledgment of guilt, and they were offered with a view to secure the pardon of sin, and, in connection with that, the favor of God. It is a liturgical hymn used ceremonially upon the occasion of a king's coronation, or upon the occasion of his going into battle. The prayer in Psalm 20:1-5breathes self-distrust and confidence in Jehovah, the temper which brings victory, not only to Israel, but to all fighters for God. The Hebrew word - דשׁן dâshên - means properly to make fat, or marrowy, Proverbs 15:30; to pronounce or regard as fat; to be fat or satiated, or abundantly satisfied, Proverbs 13:4. "This means that the psalm is pre-exilic."[7]. "Commentary on Psalms 20:4". 1-4. With the possible exception of Absalom's rebellion, this was perhaps the most terrible trouble David ever faced. The desire of the blessing goes forth in the form of prayer, for God only can grant the objects of our desire. This is put in strong contrast with others, who relied, some on their chariots, and some on their horses, while “they” relied alone on God. Psalms 20 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides notes on all 66 books of the Bible, and contain more than 7,000 pages of material Verse 9 3. It is called the Book of Psalms; so it is quoted by St. Peter, Acts 1:20. Confident as they are of success and triumph, yet they do not forget their dependence on God; they do not forget that victory must come from his hand. This psalm purports to be “A Psalm of David,” nor is there any reason to doubt that he wrote it. 1983-1999. 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. Out of Zion - The place where God was worshipped; the place where the tabernacle was reared. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; 3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. And some in horses - Some in cavalry, commonly a very material reliance in war. (b) the king, Psalm 20:5, first part. As such he is invoked here; and the prayer is, that the Great Protector of the Hebrew people would now defend the king in the dangers which beset him, and in the enterprise which he had undertaken. As Baigent accurately noted, these banners, "Are a reference to tribal standards displayed when camping or marching."[10]. This, according to the view given in the introduction, is the response of the king. But we will remember the name of the Lord our God - That is, we will remember God - the name, as before remarked, often being used to denote the person. He is here invoked as the supreme monarch. Some trust in chariots - This (see the introduction to the psalm) seems to be a “general chorus” of the king and the people, expressing the fullest confidence in God, and showing the true ground of their reliance. Commentaries on Psalms A list of the best commentaries on Psalms ranked by scholars, journal reviews, and site users. As far as we can understand the passage, it really makes no difference which it means. The meaning of the word “hear” in this passage is, that he will “favorably hear,” or regard; that is, that he will “answer” the petition, or grant the request. In the beginning Psalm 20:1-4 there is an earnest “desire” that God would hear the suppliant in the day of trouble; in the close there is an earnest “prayer” to him from all the people that he “would” thus bear. As many have pointed out, this psalm is a companion with Psalms 21, their relation being that of a prayer for victory in Psalms 20 and a thanksgiving for victory in Psalms 21. The meaning is, We will not forget that our reliance is not on armies, but on God, the living God. They pray that the Lord would defend the king in the day of trouble; that the name of the God of Jacob would defend him; that he would send him help from the sanctuary, and strengthen him out of Zion; that he would remember his offerings and accept his burnt sacrifice; that he would grant him according to his own heart, and fulfill all his counsel. Hossfeld, Frank-Lothar Even the greatest of … It seems that he was going forth to war to deliver his country from trouble, having offered sacrifices and prayers Psalm 20:3 for the purpose of securing the divine favor on the expedition. It was not in their own strength, nor was it to promote the purposes of conquest and the ends of ambition; it was that God might be honored, and it was with confidence of success derived from his anticipated aid. You can read through all of Psalms 20 below.Click the verse number to read commentary, definitions, meanings, and notesfor that particular Psalms 20 verse. The word means an offering of any kind or anything that is presented to God, except a bloody sacrifice - anything offered as an expression of thankfulness, or with a view to obtain his favor. The idea is, such help as he needed; such as would make him safe. Even the greatest of men must be much in prayer. Prayer is not inconsistent with the most confident anticipation of success in any undertaking; and confidence of success can only spring from prayer. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/psalms-20.html. The phrase implies that God would interpose to save them; it expresses alike their confidence in that, and the fact that such a deliverance would fill their hearts with joy and rejoicing. 1870. The prophecy was true, all right, and victory did come; but the people did not neglect to continue their crying out to God in supplication and prayers. Sanctuary— From the tabernacle in Zion, where the ark then was; toward which the Israelites directed their prayers. Psalms 109:20 - Let this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord , And of those who speak evil against my soul. [3] However, the use of the word "king" refutes such a supposition, because Simon Maccabaeus was never, in any sense, a king. Alas, it is the destiny of every child of God to confront the day of trouble. The general meaning is, that their entire trust was in God. While Furthermore, "The reference to the army of Israel as unequipped with cavalry and chariots (Psalms 20:7) favors the early date. It is a collection of psalms, of all the psalms that were divinely inspired, which, though composed at several times and upon several occasions, are here put The word rendered chariots - רכב rekeb - means properly riding, and then a vehicle for “riding,” a wagon, a chariot. "Commentary on Psalms 20:4". And accept - Margin, turn to ashes, or make fat. "[15] However, we prefer the ASV, especially when the word "King" is capitalized, thus recognizing the Lord as the true King of Israel. Whatever instrumentality we may employ, we will remember always that our hope is in God, and that he only can give success to our arms. The blessing of God upon the king or ruler is automatically a blessing upon all of his subjects; and the people vocalizing this petition here acknowledge this principle. The whole psalm, therefore, is an expression of a strong confidence in God; of a sense of the most complete dependence on him; and of that assurance of success which often comes into the soul, in an important and difficult undertaking, when we have committed the whole cause to God. From the sanctuary - From the tabernacle, or the holy place where God was worshipped, and where he was supposed to reside, Exodus 28:43; Exodus 29:30; Exodus 35:19; Exodus 39:1. The point or the moment of the psalm is when those sacrifices had been offered, and when he was about to embark on his enterprise. In Psalm 20:3the answer is expected out of Zion, in the present instance it is looked for from God's holy heavens; for the God who sits enthroned in Zion is enthroned for ever in the heavens. "Some trust in chariots, etc." According to this idea, and as seems to me to be manifest on the face of the psalm, it is composed of alternate parts as if to be used by the people, and by the king and his followers, in alternate responses, closing with a chorus to be used by all. The idea is, that he would grant his upholding hand in the day of peril. The word salvation here means deliverance; to wit, from the anticipated danger. Gerald H. Wilson, NIV Application Commentary (NIVAC), Zondervan, 2002, 1,024 pp. "We will set up our banners" (Psalms 20:5). Compare 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Nehemiah 9:27-28; Psalm 14:2; Psalm 102:19. heaven is represented as the dwelling-place of God, and it is there that he hears and answers our prayers. It would seem that the victory prayed for and Literally, “with the strengths of salvation.” The answer to the prayer will be manifest in the strength or power put forth by him to save. You can find the best commentary on Psalms for you using the tools on the right side. - Even the greatest of men may be much in trouble. "Save, Jehovah: Let the King answer us when we call." It would seem, however, from the psalm, that it was composed on some occasion when the king was about going to war, and that it was designed to be used by the people of the nation, and by the king and his hosts mustered for war, as expressing mutually their wishes in regard to the result, and their confidence in each other and in God. It is the eternal assignment for every Christian that he, "Must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). On the meaning of the phrase in the title, “To the chief Musician,” see the note at the title to Psalm 4:1-8. This psalm is a prayer, and the next a thanksgiving, for the king. Remember all thy offerings - On the meaning of the word here used, see the note at Isaiah 1:13, where it is rendered oblations. “Some,” is the language of this chorus, “trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God,” Psalm 20:7. All other rights reserved. The second strophe, Psalm 20:5 (latter part), and Psalm 20:6. Jacob was the one of the patriarchs from whom, after his other name, the Hebrew people derived their name Israel, and the word seems here to be used with reference to the people rather than to the ancestor. Matthew Henry :: Commentary on Psalms 20 ← Back to Matthew Henry's Bio & Resources Psalm 20 It is the will of God that prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings, should be made, in special manner, for kings and all in ). "We will triumph in thy salvation" (Psalms 20:5). "In the Bible, assurance never breeds complacency, but rather offers grounds for urgent prayer and calling upon God to save. Military standards, however, were early used (compare Numbers 1:52; Numbers 2:2-3, Numbers 2:10, Numbers 2:18, Numbers 2:25; Numbers 10:14, Numbers 10:25), and indeed were necessary whenever armies were mustered for war, For the forms of ancient standards, see the article in Kitto‘s Cyclopaedia of the Bible, “Standards.”. The ancient superscription carries the notation, "A Psalm of David." This was his seat; his throne; where he abode among the people. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. Hear us when we call - As we now call on him; its we shall call on him in the day of battle. He is certain of success and triumph. These offerings were designed especially for the expiation of sin, and for thus securing the divine favor. They had manifested such zeal in the cause, and they had offered so earnest petitions, that he could not doubt that God would smile favorably on the undertaking, and would grant success. Psalms 8:6 - "Thou hast put all things under his feet" (Hebrews 2:6-10) Psalms 41:9 - "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Bibliography InformationBarnes, Albert. (a) the people, Psalm 20:5, latter clause; expressing a desire for his success and triumph, “The Lord fulfil all thy petitions.”, (b) the king, Psalm 20:6; expressing confidence of success from the observed zeal and cooperation of the people: “Now know I that the Lord sayeth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.”. See the note at Psalm 2:6. A king going forth to war implores the protection of a greater king than himself - the King of all nations; and who, therefore, had the disposal of the whole result of the conflict in which he was about to engage. One name is … Thy burnt sacrifice - The word used here denotes bloody offerings; see the note at Isaiah 1:11. With the saving strength - That is, he will interpose with that saving strength. May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zi… "This means, `Make all thy plans to prosper.'"[9]. "[4] After the times of Solomon, Israel possessed many chariots and horses. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Psalm 21 – The Joyful King The title of this psalm is the same as several others: To the Chief Musician.A Psalm of David. Thus the close of the psalm corresponds with the beginning. Copyright StatementThese files are public domain. Here, too, it would seem that he had been worshipped, and his aid implored, in view of this expedition; here the royal psalmist had sought to secure the divine favor by the presentation of appropriate sacrifices and offerings Psalm 20:3. The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high; And in the name of our God we will set up our banners; The first person plural pronoun in Psalms 20:5 shows that it is the voice of the people who are vocalizing this petition in the sanctuary itself upon behalf of their king. If it means that David wrote the Psalm, there is the suggestion of a problem in the usage of the words of other people in a prayer for himself, which to modern ears sounds unnatural; but David may have composed this prayer to be prayed by the people upon behalf, not merely of himself, but on behalf of kings who would arise after him. Send thee help - Margin, thy help. Many an army equipped with the most advanced weapons of the day has fallen before far inferior forces, because it was the will of God. ", Commentary Critical and Explanatory - Unabridged, Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures. The prayer here is, that God would accept those offerings, and hear those supplications, and would now send the desired help from the sanctuary where he resided; that is, that he would grant his protection and aid. general chorus of all, Psalm 20:7-9. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalms 20:2 Context 1 (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) If it was intended to be employed in public service, it was doubtless to be sung by alternate choirs, representing the people and the king. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/psalms-20.html. The word” trouble” here used would seem to imply that he was beset with difficulties and dangers; perhaps, that he was surrounded by foes. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! “They “are” brought down.” He sees them in anticipation prostrate and subdued; he goes forth to war with the certainty on his mind that this would occur. Psalms 20 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the Bible. Finding the new version too difficult to understand? "[13] The evident reference to that event, implicit in these words, also strongly favors the Davidic authorship of the psalm, concerning which Rawlinson said, "There is no reason to doubt the Davidic authorship, asserted in the title and admitted by most critics."[14]. "Fulfill all thy counsel" (Psalms 20:4). The first person plural pronoun in Psalms 20:5 shows that it is the voice of the people who are vocalizing this petition in the sanctuary itself upon behalf of their king. The psalm, too, is a model for us to imitate when we embark in any great and arduous enterprise. He says, as expressive of the feeling with which the expedition was undertaken, “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners.”. This Syrian war was the occasion of his adultery with Bathsheba and of his heartless murder of her husband Uriah. Never should we look for success unless our undertaking has been preceded by prayer; and when our best preparations have been made, our hope of success is not primarily and mainly in them, but only in God. May the Lord grant all your requests. The use of horses in war was early known in the world, for we find mention of them in the earliest periods of history. - Even the greatest of men may be much in trouble. This, according to the view suggested in the introduction, is the response of the people, expressing their desire that the king might be successful in what he had undertaken, and that the prayers which had been offered for success might be answered. The whole may be divided into three strophes or parts: (a) the people, Psalm 20:1-5. Biblical examples of this are the armies of Pharaoh in the Red Sea, and that of Sennacherib before the walls of Jerusalem, which "melted like snow in the glance of the Lord," as stated in Byron's immortal poem. Here it refers to the war-chariot, or the vehicle for carrying armed men into battle. Upon the axle stood a light frame, open behind, and floored for the warrior and his charioteer, who both stood within. The desire for success should be accompanied with earnest prayer and supplication on our part; and when our friends express the desire that we may be successful, there should have been on our part such acts of devotion - such manifest reliance on God - such religious trust - that they can simply pray for our success to be in accordance with our own prayer. Go to, To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use our convenient, The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble -, Grant thee according to thine own heart -, Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed -, But we will remember the name of the Lord our God -, Commentary Critical and Explanatory - Unabridged, Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures. Then they see their enemies fallen and subdued, while their armies stand upright and firm, Psalm 20:8. Copyright StatementJames Burton Coffman Commentaries reproduced by permission of Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. Psalm 20:7-9. A Psalm of David. Regarding the date of the Psalm. II. Finding the new version too difficult to understand? Though commonly read in isolation, the Psalms are best read as a collage that tells a story of God’s faithfulness to his people through his king. This might be a reference to the prayers and offerings of King David in days gone by; but as Ash wrote, "It more likely refers to the sacrifices being offered upon the occasion of the Psalm's use. At that moment the people lift up the voice of sympathy and of encouragement, and pray that those sacrifices might be accepted, and that he might find the deliverance which he had desired. Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710. This is the language of exultation and triumph in God; of joyful trust in him. Again, all the people take up the vocal declamation of this psalm in the last three verses. In similar circumstances we approach God, not by an offering which we make, whether bloody or bloodless, but through the one great sacrifice made by the Redeemer on the cross for the sins of the world. "[16] The great assurance of Psalms 20:8, indicated by the use of the prophetic perfect tense, suggests that the war is already over and that victory has been won; but that was not the case. It expresses the joy which they would have in the expected deliverance from danger, and their conviction that through his strength they would be able to obtain it. This proves, also, that a sacrifice had been made with a view to propitiate the divine favor in regard to the expedition which had been undertaken; that is, a solemn act of devotion, according to the manner of worship which then obtained, had been performed with a view to secure the divine favor and protection. Baigent pointed out that this Psalm is still used ceremonially in prayers for the Queen of England in Anglican services.[2]. Psalm 20 - For the director of music. Here is no boasting of former victories, nor of man’s bravery and strength, nor of a captain’s skill. It was also true of David. May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 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