Psalm 20 underscores the belief that God is the ultimate source of help and strength, not human armies or earthly power. The psalm calls for reliance on God’s sanctuary and support from Zion, symbolizing God’s presence and power.
Psalm 20 expresses a prayer for God’s blessing and support for a king (often understood as King David) in the face of adversity and battle. It’s a psalm of confidence in God’s ability to deliver his anointed one.
“1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. 3 May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. 4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
Verses 1-4: The people of Israel pray for God to hear their king in trouble, to protect him, and to send help and support from the sanctuary. They also ask for God to remember and accept their offerings, and to grant the king’s heart’s desire and fulfill his plans.
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 Lordour God.
8 They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
Verses 5-8: The people express their joy and confidence in God’s salvation, setting up banners in the name of God. They declare that they trust in God’s power and will stand upright, while the enemy will fall.
9 O Lord, save the king!
May he answer us when we call.
Verse 9: The psalm concludes with a final prayer to God to save the king and to hear their prayers in the day of trouble.
