On Psalm 20

(Ps 20:1) The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
(Ps 20:2) Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
(Ps 20:3) Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
(Ps 20:4) Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.

In verse one, the words for "The LORD hear thee" are more literally translated "The LORD answer thee". Further, "defend thee" is literally "set thee on high". While setting one on high could be interpreted as getting him out of trouble, the following verse does not speak about escaping trouble but about being helped and strengthened. There are times when the believer has to face troubles. Then he needs help and strength from above in order to go through troubles in a manner that honors God. Jesus himself had to face much trouble and he prayed much about it (Mk 14:32-41).

Verse three can remind us that the Lord does not ignore our offerings. "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (Heb 6:10). In the context of this psalm we see that offerings are remembered when the Lord considers prayers. Verse four also shows the importance of having our heart right with God.

(Ps 20:5) We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

Setting up banners in the name of the Lord implies boasting about him. " ... he who boasts, let him boast in the LORD" (2Co 10:17)EMTV.

(Ps 20:6) 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.

The verse could be applied to David, who was annointed to be king. However, it can also be taken as a prophecy that the Messiah would face troubles, cry to God, and be answered.

(Heb 5:7) Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
(Heb 5:8) Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
(Heb 5:9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Because the Son of God become fully man, he was not born with full knowledge, but rather he had to learn it as he grew up. While he did not have a tendency to rebel against God, for he did not have a sinful nature, he still had to learn obedience, that is, how to fear God. One of the ways by which he learned was "by the things which he suffered" (Heb 5:8).

(Ps 20:7) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
(Ps 20:8) They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

Literally, the verb translated "stand upright" means "to return, repeat, ... ". In this life, believers rise after going through troubles. After this life, they will eventually rise from the dead and return.

(Pr 24:16) For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

(Ps 20:9) Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

Literally, the words for "hear us when we call" are "answer us in the day we call". When one does not see immediately a result to his prayer, this may not mean that the prayer has not been answered. In Dan 10, Daniel was answered the day he began to pray (Dan 10:12), though the answer was only enforced weeks later (Dan 10:13).


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