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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.
"Send You help from the Holy, and from Sion defend You" [Psalm 20:2]. Making for You a sanctified Body, the Church, from watching safe, which waits when You shall come from the wedding.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 20:2 is a profound communal prayer offered on behalf of the king, likely David, as he prepares for a significant battle or faces a national crisis. It expresses a deep conviction that true and effective help, as well as enduring strength, originate directly from God's sacred presence in the sanctuary and from Zion, His holy dwelling place. This verse encapsulates the ancient Israelite understanding that victory and sustenance in times of crisis are not dependent on human might or resources, but solely on the divine intervention and sustaining power of the Almighty, sought through earnest prayer.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 20:2 employs several powerful Literary Devices to convey its message with depth and emphasis. Most prominently, it utilizes Synonymous Parallelism, where the second line ("and strengthen thee out of Zion") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first line ("Send thee help from the sanctuary"). Both clauses express the same core idea of divine assistance and support, but through different yet complementary images, thereby amplifying the earnestness of the prayer and the totality of God's provision. Metonymy is also present, as "sanctuary" and "Zion" are not merely geographical locations but stand in for God's active presence, power, and covenant faithfulness. They represent the divine source of all help and strength. Furthermore, the combination of "sanctuary" and "Zion" could be seen as a form of Merism, encompassing the entirety of God's holy dwelling and its associated power and influence. The verse also subtly employs Personification, as the sanctuary and Zion are implicitly depicted as active agents from which help and strength emanate, though the ultimate agent is God Himself, underscoring the dynamic nature of His presence.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 20:2 profoundly articulates the theological truth that God is the ultimate and sole source of true help and enduring strength. This concept is foundational to biblical theology, emphasizing God's omnipotence, omnipresence, and covenant faithfulness to His people. The reliance on the "sanctuary" and "Zion" highlights the importance of God's chosen dwelling place as the nexus where divine power intersects with human need. It speaks to a theology of divine immanence, where God, though transcendent, is also intimately present and active in the world, particularly in the lives of His covenant people. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that in every human endeavor, especially in times of great challenge or conflict, our ultimate confidence and resource must be placed in the Lord, who alone can provide the necessary aid and sustain us. It underscores the efficacy of prayer as the means by which believers access this divine provision, aligning human weakness with God's infinite strength and unwavering commitment to His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 20:2 offers a powerful model for contemporary believers, reminding us that in all our "battles"—whether personal struggles, spiritual warfare, professional challenges, or societal crises—our ultimate source of help and strength is God alone. Just as the ancient Israelites looked to the sanctuary and Zion, we are called to look to God, recognizing that His power is not limited by our circumstances or human frailties. This verse encourages a posture of profound dependence on God, fostering a prayer life that is rooted in trust and confidence in His divine provision. It challenges us to examine where we place our trust: in our own abilities, resources, or worldly systems, or in the unfailing might of the Almighty. Furthermore, it inspires us to intercede for our leaders, communities, and those facing significant challenges, asking God to strengthen them from His holy presence, just as the people prayed for their king. Embracing this truth leads to a deeper sense of peace, knowing that the God who sent help from His sanctuary then is the same God who is with us today, ready to sustain and empower us through every trial.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is "sanctuary" and "Zion" used interchangeably here?
Answer: While often used in close proximity and sometimes seemingly interchangeably, "sanctuary" and "Zion" are not strictly identical but are deeply interconnected and complementary. "Sanctuary" (מִקְדֶּשׁ, miqqedesh - though the Strong's provided is H6944 qôdesh, referring to the holy place itself) specifically refers to the holy place, the Tabernacle or Temple, where God's presence was believed to dwell and where sacrifices and worship were offered. "Zion" (צִיּוֹן, Tsîyôwn) is the name of the hill in Jerusalem on which the Temple was built, and by extension, it became a poetic and theological name for Jerusalem itself, particularly as the city of God and the spiritual center of Israel. In Psalms 20:2, their use in parallel emphasizes that God's help and strength emanate from His divine presence, which is uniquely manifested and accessed within His chosen dwelling place in Jerusalem. They collectively point to the sacred, divinely appointed source of aid, reinforcing the idea that God's power is rooted in His covenant relationship with His people and His chosen abode among them.
Does this verse mean God only helps from a specific physical location?
Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God's help is limited to a specific physical location in a literal sense. While the ancient Israelites understood the Temple and Zion as the primary earthly manifestations of God's presence, their theology also recognized God's omnipresence. The language here is a theological statement about the source and nature of divine power, not a geographical limitation on God's ability to act. It emphasizes that the help is divine, sacred, and rooted in God's covenant faithfulness, emanating from where His glory dwells. For believers today, especially in light of the New Testament, God's presence is not confined to a physical building. Through Christ, believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, making each believer a "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). Thus, God's help and strength are accessible to us wherever we are, as we draw near to Him through prayer and faith. The "sanctuary" and "Zion" become metaphors for God's accessible presence and the spiritual reality of His kingdom, a presence that transcends physical boundaries.
How does this apply to personal struggles, not just national battles?
Answer: The principles embedded in Psalms 20:2 transcend the specific context of national warfare and apply profoundly to all forms of human struggle, whether personal, spiritual, emotional, or physical. The "battle" can represent any significant challenge or crisis an individual faces. Just as the king needed divine intervention for military victory, we need God's help and strength to navigate the complexities of life, overcome temptations, endure suffering, and find purpose. The verse teaches us that in our moments of weakness, fear, or despair, our ultimate recourse is to turn to God, who is our ever-present help. It encourages us to pray with confidence, knowing that the same God who strengthened His anointed in ancient times is ready to "send help" and "strengthen" us from His inexhaustible wellspring of power and grace, enabling us to face our personal "battles" with divine resilience and hope.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 20:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "sanctuary" and "Zion" in the Old Testament pointed to the dwelling place of God's presence and the source of His blessings. In the New Testament, Jesus declares Himself to be the true Temple, stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ became the ultimate means by which humanity gains access to God's presence, tearing the veil that separated humanity from the Most Holy Place (Matthew 27:51). He is the true "sanctuary" from whom all help and strength flow. Furthermore, the spiritual "Zion" is now understood as the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God, to which believers have come through Christ (Hebrews 12:22-24). Thus, the help and strength sought in Psalms 20:2 are fully realized in Christ, who is our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help in times of trouble (Hebrews 4:16). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering ultimate salvation and empowerment to live a life of victory through His Spirit, making us more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).