Psalms — Chapter 20

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1The 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.

6Now 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.

1Jehovah answer thee in the day of trouble; The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;

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

3Remember all thy offerings, And accept thy burnt-sacrifice; Selah

4Grant thee thy heart`s desire, And fulfil all thy counsel.

5We will triumph in thy salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners: Jehovah fulfil all thy petitions.

6Now know I that Jehovah saveth his anointed; He will answer him from his holy heaven With the saving strength of his right hand.

7Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses; But we will make mention of the name of Jehovah our God.

8They are bowed down and fallen; But we are risen, and stand upright.

9Save, Jehovah: Let the King answer us when we call. Psalm 21 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1For the music director, a psalm of David. May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble; may the God of Jacob make you secure.

2May he send you help from his temple; from Zion may he give you support.

3May he take notice of all your offerings; may he accept your burnt sacrifice. (Selah)

4May he grant your heart’s desire; may he bring all your plans to pass.

5Then we will shout for joy over your victory; we will rejoice in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.

6Now I am sure that the Lord will deliver his chosen king; he will intervene for him from his holy, heavenly temple, and display his mighty ability to deliver.

7Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the Lord our God.

8They will fall down, but we will stand firm.

9The Lord will deliver the king; he will answer us when we call to him for help!

1May Yahweh answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high,

2send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion,

3remember all your offerings, and accept your burned sacrifice. Selah.

4May He grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your counsel.

5We will triumph in your salvation. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners. May Yahweh grant all your requests.

6Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand.

7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust the name of Yahweh our God.

8They are bowed down and fallen, but we rise up, and stand upright.

9Save, Yahweh! Let the King answer us when we call!

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A royal psalm — a pre-battle prayer for the king: may the LORD answer you in the day of trouble, grant your heart's desire, and give victory; 'some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD.'

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Royal/Community Prayer Psalm Attributed Author: David — "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David" Key Themes: Community praying for the king, trust in God's name vs. military power, pre-battle liturgy, confidence in God's anointed, salvation through divine intervention
Historical Context: Psalm 20 is a pre-battle liturgy — the people pray for their king before he goes to war. It pairs with Psalm 21 (post-battle thanksgiving). The congregation addresses the king (vv.1-5), then a single voice (prophet or king) declares confidence (v.6), and the people affirm collective trust (vv.7-8). The psalm's theology is explicitly anti-militaristic: "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD" (v.7). Military success comes not from superior equipment but from divine favor. This is the theology that sent David against Goliath with stones instead of armor.
Structure:
  • Congregational Prayer for the King (vv.1-5)
  • Declaration of Confidence (v.6)
  • Trust in God's Name vs. Military Power (vv.7-8)
  • Final Prayer (v.9)

Map & Geography

  • Zion (v.2): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Pray for your leaders before the battle (vv.1-5). The congregation's role is intercession. Before the king faces danger, the people pray. Apply this to spiritual leadership, community leaders, and anyone facing a battle — pray before, not only during.
  • 2. "The name of the LORD our God" is sufficient (v.7). Chariots = technology, resources, systems. Horses = speed, power, advantage. These are not wrong to have — but wrong to TRUST. The question is not "Do you have resources?" but "Where is your trust placed?"
  • 3. The outcome proves the trust (v.8). Those who trust human power eventually collapse; those who trust God's name eventually stand. The timeline may vary, but the principle holds. Place your trust where the outcome confirms it.
  • 4. Communal faith strengthens individual faith. This is a COLLECTIVE psalm — "we will remember," "we are risen." Faith is not only personal — it is corporate. Surround yourself with people who trust God's name rather than human chariots.
  • 5. Credit God publicly for victories (v.5). "In the name of our God we will set up our banners" — when victory comes, fly God's flag. Public attribution prevents the pride that claims "my chariot delivered me."