USB ~ Psalms 20

Prayer for the King in Time of War

1 For the leader. A psalm of David.

2 The LORD answer you in time of distress; the name of the God of Jacob defend you!

3 May he send you help from the sanctuary, from Zion be your support. a

4 May he remember† your every offering, graciously accept your burnt offering, Selah

5 Grant what is in your heart, fulfill your every plan.

6 May we shout for joy at your victory,† raise the banners in the name of our God. The LORD grant your every petition!

7 Now I know the LORD gives victory to his anointed. b He will answer him from the holy heavens with a strong arm that brings victory.

8 Some rely on chariots, others on horses, but we on the name of the LORD our God. c

9 They collapse and fall, but we stand strong and firm. d

10 LORD, grant victory to the king; answer when we call upon you.

Footnotes

†. Psalm 20 The people pray for the king before battle. The people ask for divine help (Ps 20:2-6) and express confidence that such help will be given (Ps 20:7-10). A solemn assurance of divine help may well have been given between the two sections in the liturgy, something like the promises of Ps 12:6; 21:9-13. The final verse (Ps 20:10) echoes the opening verse.

†. 20:4 Remember: God’s remembering implies readiness to act, cf. Gn 8:1; Ex 2:24.

†. 20:6 Victory: the Hebrew root is often translated “salvation,” “to save,” but in military contexts it can have the specific meaning of “victory.”

20:3 Ps 128:5; 134:3.
20:7 Ps 18:51; 144:10; 1 Sm 2:10.
20:8 Ps 147:10-11; 2 Chr 14:10; Prv 21:31; 1 Sm 17:45; Is 31:1; 36:9.
20:9 Is 40:30.