Psalms 20:3

Translation
King James Version
Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Remember H2142 all thy offerings H4503, and accept H1878 thy burnt sacrifice H5930; Selah H5542.
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Complete Jewish Bible
May he be reminded by all your grain offerings and accept the fat of your burnt offerings. (Selah)
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Berean Standard Bible
May He remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. Selah
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American Standard Version
Remember all thy offerings, And accept thy burnt-sacrifice; [Selah
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World English Bible Messianic
remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Let him remember all thine offerings, and turne thy burnt offerings into asshes. Selah:
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Young's Literal Translation
He doth remember all thy presents, And thy burnt-offering doth reduce to ashes. Selah.
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See also
Psalms 51:192 Chronicles 7:1Acts 10:4Genesis 4:41 Chronicles 21:261 Peter 2:5Ephesians 5:2
In the KJVVerse 14,186 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalms 20:3 is a profound communal petition embedded within a prayer for the king as he prepares for battle, articulating the nation's deep reliance on God's sovereign favor and decisive intervention. This verse specifically implores the Lord to graciously remember and accept the king's past acts of worship, sincere devotion, and sacrificial offerings, thereby invoking divine approval and blessing for the impending conflict. It powerfully underscores the ancient Israelite conviction that faithful obedience and heartfelt worship are foundational prerequisites for securing God's active presence, His protective hand, and ultimately, His gift of victory.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalms 20 is a psalm of supplication, a fervent communal prayer offered by the people of Israel on behalf of their anointed king as he embarks on a military campaign. The psalm commences with a rich blessing and earnest prayer for divine help and protection for the king, invoking God's powerful name for his defense and deliverance from Zion, the dwelling place of God's presence (Psalms 20:1-2). Following this initial petition, verse 3 specifically recalls the king's past acts of worship and sacrifice, requesting God's remembrance and acceptance of these offerings as a basis for divine favor. The subsequent verses transition to an expression of unwavering confidence in God's answer and the exultant joy that will accompany His salvation (Psalms 20:4-5), culminating in a powerful declaration that true victory comes not from human military might, but solely from the name and power of the Lord (Psalms 20:7). The psalm concludes with a final, urgent plea for the king's deliverance and God's responsive answer (Psalms 20:9).

  • Historical & Cultural Context: This psalm is set against the backdrop of the ancient Israelite monarchy, most likely during a period of significant military engagement, possibly under the leadership of King David, who frequently led the nation in battle. In this era, military campaigns were invariably preceded by solemn religious rituals, including various forms of sacrifices, performed to seek divine favor, ensure success, and purify the nation before God. Kings were regarded as God's anointed representatives, and their personal spiritual fidelity and public acts of worship were considered absolutely crucial for the nation's well-being and prosperity. Sacrifices, such as the "offerings" (minchah) and "burnt sacrifice" (olah), were central and indispensable to Israelite worship, serving diverse purposes including atonement, thanksgiving, dedication, and seeking divine acceptance and communion. The people's collective prayer for the king's offerings to be remembered and accepted reflects their profound theological understanding that God's covenant faithfulness extended to His responsiveness to sincere, obedient worship, particularly in times of national crisis and impending conflict.

  • Key Themes:

    • Divine Remembrance and Acceptance: The core plea of this verse is for God to "remember" and "accept" the king's offerings. This signifies a deep, earnest desire for God's explicit approval and a favorable, active response to the king's demonstrated devotion. It implies a profound theological understanding that past faithfulness, visibly expressed through acts of worship and obedience, could serve as a legitimate basis for present and future divine blessing and intervention. The people are appealing to God's inherent character as one who faithfully honors covenant commitments and sincere devotion, urging Him to act in accordance with His established principles.
    • The Efficacy of Sincere Worship: This verse powerfully highlights the ancient Israelite belief that sincere worship and costly sacrifice were vital, divinely ordained avenues for approaching God, establishing communion with Him, and securing His blessing and intervention. While the New Covenant has profoundly transformed the nature of worship, superseding animal sacrifices through Christ's ultimate and perfect sacrifice, the underlying principle of God honoring faithful devotion and the spiritual "offerings" of His people remains a timeless and enduring truth. This passage underscores the enduring importance of a life consecrated to God in all its facets.
    • Absolute Dependence on God: The psalm as a whole, and this verse in particular, powerfully underscores the deep theological conviction that ultimate victory, success, and deliverance in any endeavor—especially in the context of warfare—come from God alone, not from human armies, military might, or strategic prowess. The people's prayer for the king is an explicit acknowledgment that their strength, salvation, and security reside solely in the Lord, aligning seamlessly with broader biblical themes that consistently emphasize reliance on God rather than human power, as seen in passages like Psalms 33:16-17.
    • Intercessory Prayer: This verse is deeply embedded within a communal prayer offered by the people on behalf of their anointed leader. It serves as a powerful and enduring model for the vital importance of intercessory prayer, demonstrating the collective responsibility of the community to pray earnestly for those in authority, both spiritual and governmental, that God would guide them, protect them, and grant them success in righteous endeavors. This practice is later explicitly affirmed and encouraged in the New Testament, as seen in 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Remember (Hebrew, zâkar', H2142): This primitive root means "to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention." In this context, it is far more than a simple cognitive recall; it implies active remembrance that leads to responsive action. When the people pray for God to "remember" the king's offerings, they are asking Him to bring those acts of devotion to mind as a basis for favorable intervention, to acknowledge them with a view towards acting on behalf of the king and the nation. It's an appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and His disposition to reward sincere devotion.
  • Offerings (Hebrew, minchâh', H4503): Derived from an unused root meaning "to apportion, i.e. bestow," this term refers to a donation, a gift, or specifically a sacrificial offering. It typically denotes a bloodless offering, such as a grain offering (Leviticus 2), made of flour, oil, and frankincense. In Psalms 20:3, it likely encompasses a broader range of the king's worshipful gifts, tributes, and acts of devotion presented to God. It signifies the king's consistent and varied expressions of homage, gratitude, and seeking divine favor, representing the totality of his faithful worship.
  • Accept (Hebrew, dâshên', H1878): This primitive root means "to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy; to remove (fat) ashes (of sacrifices)." The KJV translates it as "accept" here, which captures the intended meaning in context. The literal sense of "making fat" or "removing ashes" from the altar after a successful burnt offering implies that the sacrifice has been fully consumed by fire, indicating God's acceptance and pleasure. Thus, to "accept" the sacrifice means for God to find it pleasing, efficacious, and to respond favorably to the worshiper's devotion, demonstrating His approval and commitment to the king's cause.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Remember all thy offerings": This initial clause is a direct, earnest plea to God, asking Him to actively recall and acknowledge the king's past acts of worship and devotion. The term "offerings" (minchâh) here likely refers to a broad spectrum of the king's spiritual presentations, including grain offerings, gifts, and general acts of homage and tribute to the Lord. The request for God to "remember" implies a desire for Him to act on the basis of these faithful deeds, to bring them to mind as a foundational reason for present and future blessings and divine intervention. It is an appeal to God's covenant faithfulness, suggesting that the king's consistent devotion should elicit a favorable and responsive divine action.
  • "and accept thy burnt sacrifice": This second clause parallels and intensifies the first, specifically mentioning the "burnt sacrifice" (ʻôlâh H5930), which was a whole burnt offering where the entire animal (except the hide) was consumed by fire on the altar, ascending as smoke to God. This type of sacrifice symbolized complete dedication, atonement, and seeking God's acceptance and favor. The request to "accept" (from dâshên H1878) signifies a profound desire for God's approval, favor, and the full efficacy of the sacrifice. It is a prayer that the king's most profound and costly acts of consecration would be pleasing to God and would thereby secure His active and decisive support in the impending battle.
  • "Selah": This interjection (çelâh H5542) serves as a liturgical or musical marker, frequently appearing in the Psalms. While its precise meaning is debated, it is widely understood to indicate a pause for reflection, an instrumental interlude, or a moment to emphasize the preceding statement. In Psalms 20:3, its placement invites the worshiper and the community to pause and deeply contemplate the solemnity and profound significance of the preceding prayer—the earnest desire for God to acknowledge and be pleased with the king's worship, and by extension, to grant victory. It allows for a moment of silent meditation on the weight of the request and the absolute dependence on divine acceptance.

Literary Devices

Psalms 20:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message and enhance its impact. Parallelism is prominently featured, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the first clause, "Remember all thy offerings," is echoed and intensified by the second, "and accept thy burnt sacrifice." Both clauses express a similar core desire for divine acknowledgment and favor, with the second clause often adding a layer of emphasis or specificity through the mention of the more complete "burnt sacrifice." This repetition serves to reinforce the earnestness and depth of the plea. Additionally, the use of "offerings" (minchâh) and "burnt sacrifice" (ʻôlâh) can be seen as a form of merism, where two distinct parts are mentioned to represent the totality of the king's devotion and spiritual life. The direct address to God ("thy offerings," "thy burnt sacrifice") is a clear example of apostrophe, lending a sense of intimacy, urgency, and direct appeal to the communal prayer. Finally, "Selah" functions as a rhetorical marker, guiding the reader or worshiper to pause, reflect, and internalize the profound theological implications of the preceding words, inviting a deeper spiritual engagement with the text.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalms 20:3 encapsulates a foundational theological truth that resonates throughout Scripture: God is profoundly attentive to the sincere devotion and worship of His people. The request for God to "remember" and "accept" offerings is not an attempt to manipulate or coerce God, but rather a humble appeal to His covenant faithfulness, acknowledging that He Himself has established worship as a primary means of communion and seeking His favor. This verse highlights the Old Testament understanding that acts of obedience and sacrifice, when offered from a sincere heart, were tangible expressions of a life committed to God, and that such devotion was indeed pleasing to Him. While the outward forms of worship have been profoundly transformed and ultimately superseded by the New Covenant in Christ, the underlying principle of seeking God's acceptance through a life of faith, obedience, and spiritual sacrifice remains central to all biblical covenants. It serves as a timeless reminder that our genuine devotion is not forgotten by God, and that His remembrance is intrinsically linked to His active intervention, blessing, and providential care.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalms 20:3, though deeply rooted in the ancient Israelite context of monarchical worship and warfare, offers profound and enduring insights for contemporary believers. While the era of animal sacrifices has passed, the call to offer our lives as "living sacrifices," holy and pleasing to God, remains central to Christian discipleship (Romans 12:1). This verse encourages us to cultivate a life of consistent, sincere devotion, recognizing that our acts of worship, obedience, and service are indeed seen, remembered, and valued by God. Before embarking on significant challenges, difficult decisions, or important endeavors, we are called to earnestly seek God's blessing, align our will with His, and trust that He honors our faithfulness. It serves as a vital reminder that true success and ultimate victory come not from our own strength, wisdom, or strategic prowess, but from God's sovereign favor and decisive intervention, which He graciously grants in response to a consecrated heart. Furthermore, the communal nature of this prayer serves as a powerful model for interceding for our leaders, both spiritual and governmental, recognizing that their well-being and success in righteous endeavors are intrinsically vital for the flourishing of the community and the advancement of God's purposes.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what tangible ways do I offer "offerings" and "sacrifices" of praise, obedience, and service to God in my daily life?
  • How does the profound concept of God "remembering" my devotion and faithfulness impact my motivation for worship and obedience?
  • Before embarking on significant tasks, challenges, or new seasons of life, do I prioritize earnestly seeking God's acceptance and favor, or do I primarily rely on my own abilities and resources?
  • How can I more intentionally and consistently intercede for my leaders, both in the church and in society, asking God to remember their devotion and grant them wisdom and success in righteous endeavors?

FAQ

Why is "Selah" included in this verse, and what is its significance for the reader?

Answer: "Selah" is a Hebrew word found frequently throughout the Psalms and the book of Habakkuk, primarily serving as a musical or liturgical instruction. While its precise meaning has been a subject of scholarly debate for centuries, it is generally understood to indicate a pause for reflection, an instrumental interlude, or a moment to emphasize the preceding statement. In Psalms 20:3, its inclusion is highly significant and purposeful. It prompts the reader or worshiper to pause and deeply contemplate the profound request that has just been uttered—the earnest desire for divine remembrance and acceptance of the king's offerings and burnt sacrifice. This deliberate pause allows the weight and solemnity of the prayer to truly sink in, fostering a moment of silent meditation on the absolute dependence on God's favor for victory and success. It transforms the reading experience from a mere recitation to a contemplative act of worship, inviting personal and profound engagement with the text's spiritual depth and theological implications.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 20:3 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment not in the temporary sacrifices of an earthly king, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The king's "offerings" (minchâh) and "burnt sacrifice" (ʻôlâh), though sincere expressions of devotion, were imperfect and temporary, serving as prophetic shadows pointing forward to the singular, perfect, and eternal sacrifice of Christ. Jesus is the true and ultimate "burnt sacrifice" whose offering was not merely remembered but eternally and completely "accepted" by God the Father. Through His death on the cross, Jesus offered Himself as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, a sacrifice that fully atoned for sin once and for all, rendering all previous animal sacrifices obsolete and unnecessary (Hebrews 10:1-10). Because of Christ's perfect obedience, His spotless life, and His ultimate self-offering, God not only remembers but delights in His Son, and through Him, graciously accepts the "spiritual sacrifices" of praise, prayer, and service offered by believers (1 Peter 2:5). Our access to God's favor, our assurance of His remembrance, and our hope for ultimate victory are no longer based on our flawed and incomplete offerings, but solely on the flawless, fully accepted sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).

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Commentary on Psalms 20 verses 1–5

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

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.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–5. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 20
"Be mindful of all Your sacrifice" [Psalm 20:3]. Make us mindful of all Your injuries and despiteful treatment, which You have borne for us. "And be Your whole burnt offering made fat." And turn the cross, whereon You were wholly offered up to God, into the joy of the resurrection.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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