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Commentary on Psalms 20 verses 1–5
This prayer for David is entitled a psalm of David; nor was it any absurdity at all for him who was divinely inspired to draw up a directory, or form of prayer, to be used in the congregation for himself and those in authority under him; nay it is very proper for those who desire the prayers of their friends to tell them particularly what they would have to be asked of God for them. Note, Even great and good men, and those that know ever so well how to pray for themselves, must not despise, but earnestly desire, the prayers of others for them, even those that are their inferiors in all respects. Paul often begged of his friends to pray for him. Magistrates and those in power ought to esteem and encourage praying people, to reckon them their strength (Zac 12:5, Zac 12:10), and to do what they can for them, that they may have an interest in their prayers and may do nothing to forfeit it. Now observe here,
I. What it is that they are taught to ask of God for the king.
1.That God would answer his prayers: The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble (Psa 20:1), and the Lord fulfil all thy petitions, Psa 20:5. Note, (1.) Even the greatest of men may be much in trouble. It was often a day of trouble with David himself, of disappointment and distress, of treading down and of perplexity. Neither the crown on his head nor the grace in his heart would exempt him from the trouble. (2.) Even the greatest of men must be much in prayer. David, though a man of business, a man of war, was constant to his devotions; though he had prophets, and priests, and many good people among his subjects, to pray for him, he did not think that excused him from praying for himself. Let none expect benefit by the prayers of the church, or of their ministers or friends for them, who are capable of praying for themselves, and yet neglect it. The prayers of others for us must be desired, not to supersede, but to second, our own for ourselves. Happy the people that have praying princes, to whose prayers they may thus say, Amen.
2.That God would protect his person, and preserve his life, in the perils of war: "The name of the God of Jacob defend thee, and set thee out of the reach of thy enemies." (1.) "Let God by his providence keep thee safe, even the God who preserved Jacob in the days of his trouble." David had mighty men for his guards, but he commits himself, and his people commit him, to the care of the almighty God. (2.) "Let God by his grace keep thee easy from the fear of evil. - Pro 18:10, The name of the Lord is a strong tower, into which the righteous run by faith, and are safe; let David be enabled to shelter himself in that strong tower, as he has done many a time."
3.That God would enable him to go on in his undertakings for the public good - that, in the day of battle, he would send him help out of the sanctuary, and strength out of Zion, not from common providence, but from the ark of the covenant and the peculiar favour God bears to his chosen people Israel. That he would help him, in performance of the promises and in answer to the prayers made in the sanctuary. Mercies out of the sanctuary are the sweetest mercies, such as are the tokens of God's peculiar love, the blessing of God, even our own God. Strength out of Zion is spiritual strength, strength in the soul, in the inward man, and that is what we should most desire both for ourselves and others in services and sufferings.
4.That God would testify his gracious acceptance of the sacrifices he offered with his prayers, according to the law of that time, before he went out on a dangerous expedition: The Lord remember all thy offerings and accept thy burnt-sacrifices (Psa 20:3), or turn them to ashes; that is, "The Lord give thee the victory and success which thou didst by prayer with sacrifices ask of him, and thereby give as full proof of his acceptance of the sacrifice as ever he did by kindling it with fire from heaven." By this we may now know that God accepts our spiritual sacrifices, if by his Spirit he kindles in our souls a holy fire of pious and divine affection and with that makes our hearts burn within us.
5.That God would crown all his enterprises and noble designs for the public welfare with the desired success (Psa 20:4): The Lord grant thee according to thy own heart. This they might in faith pray for, because they knew David was a man after God's own heart, and would design nothing but what was pleasing to him. Those who make it their business to glorify God may expect that God will, in one way or other, gratify them: and those who walk in his counsel may promise themselves that he will fulfil theirs. Thou shalt devise a thing and it shall be established unto thee.
II. What confidence they had of an answer of peace to these petitions for themselves and their good king (Psa 20:5): "We will rejoice in thy salvation. We that are subjects will rejoice in the preservation and prosperity of our prince;" or, rather, "In thy salvation, O God! in thy power and promise to save, will we rejoice; that is it which we depend upon now, and which, in the issue, we shall have occasion greatly to rejoice in." Those that have their eye still upon the salvation of the Lord shall have their hearts filled with the joy of that salvation: In the name of our God will we set up our banners. 1. "We will wage war in his name; we will see that our cause be good and make his glory our end in every expedition; we will ask counsel at his mouth, and take him along with us; we will follow his direction, implore his aid and depend upon it, and refer the issue to him." David went against Goliath in the name of the Lord of hosts, Sa1 17:45. (2.) "We will celebrate our victories in his name. When we lift up our banners in triumph, and set up our trophies, it shall be in the name of our God; he shall have all the glory of our success, and no instrument shall have any part of the honour that is due to him."
In singing this we ought to offer up to God our hearty good wishes to the good government we are under and to the prosperity of it. But we may look further; these prayers for David are prophecies concerning Christ the Son of David, and in him they were abundantly answered; he undertook the work of our redemption, and made war upon the powers of darkness. In the day of trouble, when his soul was exceedingly sorrowful, the Lord heard him, heard him in that he feared (Heb 5:7), sent him help out of the sanctuary, sent an angel from heaven to strengthen him, took cognizance of his offering when he made his soul an offering for sin, and accepted his burnt-sacrifice, turned it to ashes, the fire that should have fastened upon the sinner fastening upon the sacrifice, with which God was well pleased. And he granted him according to his own heart, made him to see of the travail of his soul, to his satisfaction, prospered his good pleasure in his hand, fulfilled all his petitions for himself and us; for him the Father heareth always and his intercession is ever prevailing.
This entire psalm voices a prayer as spoken by holy people to the person of Christ. For since for our sakes and on our behalf he received insult when he became man, we are taught to join our prayers with his as he prays and supplicates the Father on our behalf, as one who repels both visible and invisible attacks against us.
"The Lord hear You in the day of trouble" [Psalm 20:1]. The Lord hear You in the day in which Thou said, "Father glorify Your Son." "The name of the God of Jacob protect You." For to You belongs the younger people. Since "the elder shall serve the younger."
By saying “in the day of tribulation,” he indicates a time of the most severe affliction in which we entreat the Lord with an intense longing.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 20:1 commences a powerful psalm of communal intercession, articulating a fervent prayer for divine intervention on behalf of the king, likely as he prepares for battle or faces a significant national crisis. The verse encapsulates the deep trust of ancient Israel in their covenant-keeping God, appealing for His immediate attention in "the day of trouble" and invoking the powerful and covenantal "name of the God of Jacob" to provide unwavering defense and protection. This opening sets the tone for a psalm steeped in reliance on God's omnipotence and faithfulness to His people and their anointed leader.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 20:1 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its urgent and profound message. Invocation is central, as the verse directly calls upon God, "The LORD," setting the tone for a prayer of direct address and earnest appeal. Parallelism is prominently featured in the two main clauses: "The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble" and "the name of the God of Jacob defend thee." This is an example of synonymous parallelism, where the second line reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first, emphasizing both God's attentive hearing and His active defense, reinforcing the singular source of their hope. The phrase "the name of the God of Jacob" utilizes metonymy, where "name" stands for the person, character, and power of God Himself. It is not merely a label but the embodiment of His divine essence, covenant faithfulness, and active presence. Lastly, the concept of God "hearing" can be seen as a subtle form of anthropomorphism, attributing a human action (hearing) to God to make His responsiveness relatable and understandable to human experience, while still maintaining His transcendence and divine nature.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 20:1 is a profound theological statement on the nature of prayer, God's character, and His active involvement in human affairs. It teaches that in times of crisis, the proper response for God's people, and especially their leaders, is to seek divine intervention with absolute confidence. The emphasis on "the name of the God of Jacob" highlights God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and the enduring power of His revealed character. It asserts that God is not a distant, passive observer but an immanent, powerful, and responsive deliverer who acts on behalf of those who trust in Him. This verse sets the stage for a theology of reliance, where human strength is recognized as insufficient, and divine power is acknowledged as the ultimate source of salvation and victory. It underscores that true security is found not in military might or human strategy, but in the protective presence and active intervention of the Almighty.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 20:1 offers timeless encouragement and instruction for believers navigating their own "days of trouble." It reminds us that our first and most effective recourse in times of personal crisis, national upheaval, or any significant challenge is fervent prayer to God. Our confidence in prayer is not rooted in our own merit or eloquence, but in the unwavering character and covenant faithfulness of God, encapsulated in His "name." Just as ancient Israel interceded for their king, we are called to engage in intercessory prayer for our leaders, our communities, and all those facing adversity, recognizing that God is both attentive to our cries and fully capable of providing powerful defense. This verse invites us to rest in the assurance that the same God who heard and defended His people in ancient times continues to be our refuge and strength, a very present help in every generation. It challenges us to deepen our trust in His revealed character and to consistently bring our needs before Him, knowing that His "name" is our ultimate stronghold and the source of our ultimate safety. This reliance frees us from anxiety, enabling us to face challenges with divine courage.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the king the focus of this communal prayer in Psalms 20:1?
Answer: In ancient Israel, the king was considered God's anointed representative and the embodiment of the nation. His well-being, success, and divine favor were directly linked to the prosperity and security of the entire community. When the king faced "the day of trouble," such as a military threat or national crisis, it was perceived as a threat to the entire nation and to God's covenant with His people. Therefore, the people's fervent prayer for the king was an act of national solidarity and a plea for God's protection over their collective future. This highlights the king's unique role as a mediator and representative figure, whose fate was intertwined with the nation's, foreshadowing the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. This communal intercession underscores the biblical principle that leaders require divine wisdom and protection for the good of all.
What is the significance of invoking "the name of the God of Jacob" for defense?
Answer: In biblical thought, God's "name" is far more than a mere label; it embodies His very essence, character, authority, and revealed power. To invoke "the name of the God of Jacob" is to appeal to God's covenant faithfulness, His historical acts of deliverance, and His proven track record of protecting and providing for His people, particularly as demonstrated in the life of Jacob (Israel) and his descendants. This phrase connects the current plea for defense to God's unchanging nature and His enduring promises, assuring the supplicants that the same God who faithfully led and defended their patriarchs will also defend them in their present trouble. It signifies a complete reliance on God's inherent power and His commitment to His covenant people, as seen in Jacob's wrestling with God and receiving a new name, Israel, in Genesis 32:22-32. It is an appeal to God's historical and ongoing redemptive activity.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 20:1 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King, whose "day of trouble" far surpassed any earthly monarch's. While the psalm's original context is an earthly king facing battle, it prophetically points to the spiritual warfare and ultimate victory secured by the Messiah. Jesus, as the perfect King, faced the ultimate "day of trouble" in His suffering, crucifixion, and descent into death, bearing the sins of the world and experiencing the full weight of divine wrath on our behalf (Isaiah 53:4-6). Yet, it was through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death that God "heard" and "defended" Him, raising Him from the dead and exalting Him to the highest place, giving Him "the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9-11). The "name of the God of Jacob" that defends is now fully revealed in the "name of Jesus," which is the very embodiment of God's power, authority, and saving presence. Believers today do not pray for an earthly king's military victory, but they pray in the powerful name of Jesus, knowing that He is our ultimate defense, our High Priest who continually intercedes for us before the Father (Hebrews 4:14-16), and the One through whom we have direct access to God (John 14:6). In His name, we find salvation, protection, and the assurance that God always hears the prayers offered through Him (John 14:13-14).