PsalmsChapter 20

+ Secondary text Original text ← Previous Next →Contribute

For the choirmaster. A psalm of David.

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe.

May he send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion.

May he remember all your offerings and receive your burnt offering with favor. Selah

May he give you what your heart desires and bring all your plans to pass.

We will shout for joy at your victory and raise our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD fulfill every request you make.

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we call on the name of the LORD our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call.^f

Lookup

Summary2

Chapter 20

Main Theme: A prayer from the people for the king's victory, placing trust in God’s name rather than military strength.

Content: The psalm is a collective prayer in which the congregation asks that God answer the king on his day of distress and send help from His sanctuary and Zion. The people express confidence that the Lord saves His anointed one and answers him from His holy heaven. While some trust in chariots and horses, God’s people call upon the name of the Lord—and those who trust in Him will stand firm while their enemies fall.

Key Words/Images:

The Lord’s Anointed (משיח): The king as God’s chosen representative, with messianic overtones.
God’s Name: God’s character and power, which His people call upon and trust instead of relying on military means.
The Sanctuary and Zion: God’s dwelling place as the source of help and support for the king.
Chariots and Horses: Symbols of human military might, contrasted with trust in God.

Historical context

Events and Customs

Psalm 20 is a royal prayer of intercession, likely used in a cultic setting before the king went out to war. The structure suggests a temple liturgy where the people or priests pray for the king (vv. 2–6), followed by an expression of trust (vv. 7–9) and a concluding prayer (v. 10). The reference to "grain offering" (מִנְחֹת, minḥot) and "burnt offering" (עוֹלָה, olah) in verse 4 indicates that the psalm was sung in connection with sacrifices at the temple, where the king sought God’s blessing before a military campaign. The expression "make fat" (יְדַשְּׁנֶה, yedašneh) refers to God accepting the burnt offering—when the fat was consumed by fire, it was a sign of divine approval.

Places

"The sanctuary" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodeš) and "Zion" (צִיּוֹן, tsiyon) in verse 3 point to the temple in Jerusalem as the center of God’s presence and help. The parallelism emphasizes that God’s support comes from his dwelling on Mount Zion. "His holy heavens" (שְׁמֵי קָדְשׁוֹ, šemey qodšo) in verse 7 expands the perspective to the heavenly sanctuary, showing the connection between the earthly temple and God’s heavenly throne.

Key Terms

The word "משיח" (mashiaḥ, "his anointed") in verse 7 refers to the king who was anointed with oil at his installation. In Old Testament times, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed as a sign of divine selection and empowerment. The term later took on messianic significance. The contrast in verse 8 between "chariots and horses" versus "the name of the Lord" reflects a fundamental theological conviction: Israel’s security lay not in military strength but in trust in God. The verb "נַזְכִּיר" (nazkir, "call upon/mention") means to proclaim the name of the Lord as the source of strength.

Chapter-Specific Findings

Assyrian and Egyptian reliefs and texts thoroughly document military preparations in the ancient Near East, including religious rituals before war. Kings sought oracles and offered sacrifices to their gods before campaigns. Psalm 20 reflects a similar Israelite practice, but with the crucial difference that trust was placed not in military capacity such as chariots and horses—the weapons for which the great powers Egypt and Assyria were known—but in the name of the Lord alone.

People1

David1

See all people →

Key words7

Lord — A title used for God, referring to his authority and power over all things.
Prayer — A form of communication between people and God, where one asks for help, guidance, or gives thanks for what has been received.
Salvation — The term used to describe God's act of saving people from sin and its consequences, often linked to eternal life after death.
Name — In this context, it refers to God's character and nature, and is seen as a source of strength and protection for believers.
Offering — A gift or action given to God as a way to show devotion, gratitude, or to ask for forgiveness.
Heart — In a religious context, the heart often symbolizes the seat of emotions, will, and morality.
Victory — A triumph or success in a conflict or challenge, often linked to God's help and strength.