Psalms 20

Psalms 20:1-9

the Saving Strength of God’ s Right Hand Psalms 20:1-9 This may have been written on such an occasion as 2 Samuel 10:1-19. The prayer of the soldiers, Psalms 20:1-4. Ready, drawn up for the battle, they salute their king. God’ s name is His character. The God of Jacob cannot forsake us, though we are unworthy as the patriarch. “ Thou worm Jacob!” Isaiah 41:14. The resolve, Psalms 20:5. Our banners may wave proudly in the breeze, but all is vain if God be not our trust. The Lord is our “ banner,” Exodus 17:15. We succeed only as we set out in His name and for His glory. The king’ s voice, Psalms 20:6. Strength is plural, signifying the variety and infinity of God’ s resources, on which we may count. The final chorus of the host, Psalms 20:7-9. As they look across the field, they contrast the might of their foes with their slender equipment. But as they gaze, those embattled hosts are dispersed, as clouds before a gale. Save! is the battle-cry.

The Lord answer thee!This Psalm may have been written on such an occasion as that of 2 Samuel 10:1-19. It may be used especially when the armies of our king are going forth to war.

Psalms 20:1-4 The prayer of the soldiers. Ready drawn up for the fight, the soldiers pray for their king, who was wont on the eve of battle to bring sacrifices and offerings for success. (Psalms 20:1) The Lord hear thee! Literally, The Lord shall answer thee! The “name” of God is his character. The God of Jacob will not reject or forsake any worms as weak as the patriarch was once.

Psalms 20:5 The Resolve. As the banners wave in the breeze it is expressly said that God is the object of trust. The Lord is our banner (Exodus 17:15). We succeed so far as we set forward in his name and for his glory.

Psalms 20:6 The Voice of the King. The devotion of the soldiers seems to their leader an omen for good. God’s holiness is a guarantee of his faithfulness. The Hebrew for strength (gevooroth, “powers”) is plural, implying the infinitude of God’s resources.Psalms 20:7-9 The Final Chorus of the Host. As they look across the field to the embattled array, they contrast the chariots and cavalry of the foe with their slender equipment. But, lo! As they gaze, their enemies are scattered. And with the brief ejaculation, “Save!” they hurl themselves headlong in pursuit.