Psalms 20

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 20

1¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

2Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

3Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

4Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.

5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up [our] banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

6¶ Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

7Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

8They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

9Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 20 is a prayer for the king in a time of trouble, seeking divine help, strength, and acceptance of his offerings. The people express confidence that the Lord will hear and save His anointed. They declare their trust in the name of the Lord their God, contrasting it with reliance on worldly power, and anticipate victory.

Medium Summary

This psalm opens with a communal prayer for the king, asking the Lord to hear him in distress, defend him, and send help from the sanctuary in Zion. The petitions include God remembering his offerings, accepting his burnt sacrifice, and granting his heart's desires and counsel. The people then express their intent to rejoice in God's salvation and set up banners in His name, trusting that the Lord will fulfill all the king's requests. A declaration follows, affirming knowledge that the Lord saves His anointed king, hearing him from heaven with saving strength. The psalm concludes by contrasting trust in chariots and horses with remembering the name of the Lord, asserting that those who trust in the Lord will stand upright while others fall, and ends with a plea for the Lord to save and hear the king.

Long Summary

Psalm 20 begins as a fervent prayer offered by the congregation for their king, likely as he prepares for battle or faces a significant challenge. The opening verses invoke the Lord's intervention, asking that He hear the king in the day of trouble and that the name of the God of Jacob would provide defense. The prayer further requests that God send help from His sanctuary and strengthen the king out of Zion, the holy city. Specific petitions are made for God to remember all the king's offerings and accept his burnt sacrifice, signifying a plea for divine favor and approval. The prayer continues, asking God to grant the king according to his own heart's desire and to fulfill all his counsel, implying success in his endeavors. The people then voice their collective hope and commitment, stating that they will rejoice in the king's salvation and set up their banners in the name of their God, expressing confidence that the Lord will fulfill all the king's petitions. A pivotal declaration is made, asserting the knowledge that the Lord indeed saves His anointed king, promising that God will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. This confidence is sharply contrasted with worldly reliance, as the psalm notes that some trust in chariots and some in horses, but the people declare their unwavering remembrance of the name of the Lord their God. The expected outcome of these differing trusts is then stated: those who rely on worldly power are brought down and fallen, while those who trust in the Lord are risen and stand upright. The psalm concludes with a final, urgent plea: 'Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.'

Core Concepts

  • Divine Protection and HelpThe psalm opens with a prayer for the Lord to defend the king in trouble, sending help from the sanctuary and strengthening him out of Zion, emphasizing God's active intervention.
  • Acceptance of OfferingsA key petition is for God to remember and accept the king's offerings and burnt sacrifices, signifying the desire for divine favor and the efficacy of worship in times of need.
  • Fulfillment of PetitionsThe prayer seeks for God to grant the king's heart's desires and counsel, with the people expressing confidence that the Lord will fulfill all his requests.
  • Trust in the Lord vs. Worldly PowerThe psalm sharply contrasts reliance on chariots and horses with remembering the name of the Lord, highlighting that true strength and salvation come from God alone.
  • Salvation of God's AnointedThere is a firm declaration of knowledge that the Lord saves His anointed king, hearing him from heaven with powerful saving strength, affirming God's special care for His chosen leader.
  • Communal Rejoicing and BannersThe people express their intention to rejoice in God's salvation and set up banners in the name of their God, symbolizing their shared hope, victory, and public declaration of faith.