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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 20:6–9. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. Holy David himself triumphing in the interest he had in the prayers of good people (Psa 20:6): "Now know I (I that pen the psalm know it) that the Lord saveth his anointed, because he hath stirred up the hearts of the seed of Jacob to pray for him." Note, It bodes well to any prince and people, and may justly be taken as a happy presage, when God pours upon them a spirit of prayer. If he see us seeking him, he will be found of us; if he cause us to hope in his word, he will establish his word to us. Now that so many who have an interest in heaven are praying for him he doubts not but that God will hear him, and grant him an answer of peace, which will, 1. Take its rise from above: He will hear him from his holy heaven, of which the sanctuary was a type (Heb 9:23), from the throne he hath prepared in heaven, of which the mercy-seat was a type. 2. It shall take its effect here below: He will hear him with the saving strength of his right hand; he will give a real answer to his prayers, and the prayers of his friends for him, not by letter, nor by word of mouth, but, which is much better, by his right hand, by the saving strength of his right hand. He will make it to appear that he hears him by what he does for him.
II.His people triumphing in God and their relation to him, and his revelation of himself to them, by which they distinguish themselves from those that live without God in the world.
1.See the difference between worldly people and godly people, in their confidences, Psa 20:7. The children of this world trust in second causes, and think all is well if those do but smile upon them; they trust in chariots and in horses, and the more of them they can bring into the field the more sure they are of success in their wars; probably David has here an eye to the Syrians, whose forces consisted much of chariots and horsemen, as we find in the history of David's victories over them, Sa2 8:4; Sa2 10:18. "But," say the Israelites, "we neither have chariots and horses to trust to nor do we want them, nor, if we had them, would we build our hopes of success upon that; but we will remember, and rely upon, the name of the Lord our God, upon the relation we stand in to him as the Lord our God and the knowledge we have of him by his name," that is, all that whereby he makes himself known; this we will remember and upon every remembrance of it will be encouraged. Note, those who make God and his name their praise may make God and his name their trust.
2.See the difference in the issue of their confidences and by that we are to judge of the wisdom of the choice; things are as they prove; see who will be ashamed of their confidence and who not, Psa 20:8. "Those that trusted in their chariots and horses are brought down and fallen, and their chariots and horses were so far from saving them that they helped to sink them, and made them the easier and the richer prey to the conqueror, Sa2 8:4. But we that trust in the name of the Lord our God not only stand upright, and keep our ground, but have risen, and have got ground against the enemy, and have triumphed over them." Note, A believing obedient trust in God and his name is the surest way both to preferment and to establishment, to rise and to stand upright, and this will stand us in stead when creature-confidences fail those that depend upon them.
III.They conclude their prayer for the king with a Hosanna, "Save, now, we beseech thee, O Lord!" Psa 20:9.
As we read this verse, it may be taken as a prayer that God would not only bless the king, "Save, Lord, give him success," but that he would make him a blessing to them, "Let the king hear us when we call to him for justice and mercy." Those that would have good of their magistrates must thus pray for them, for they, as all other creatures, are that to us (and no more) which God makes them to be. Or it may refer to the Messiah, that King, that King of kings; let him hear us when we call; let him come to us according to the promise, in the time appointed; let him, as the great Master of requests, receive all our petitions and present them to the Father. But many interpreters give another reading of this verse, by altering the pause, Lord, save the king, and hear us when we call; and so it is a summary of the whole psalm and is taken into our English Liturgy; O Lord! save the king, and mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
In singing these verses we should encourage ourselves to trust in God, and stir up ourselves to pray earnestly, as we are in duty bound, for those in authority over us, that under them we may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Sometimes people run off to a mountain to pray, as though God will be able to hear them better from there. Do you want to make contact with God in your prayer? Humble yourself. But again, just because I have said, “Do you want to make contact with God? Humble yourself,” do not take it literally and materialistically and go off down to underground vaults and there start beseeching God. Do not go seeking either caverns or mountains. Have lowliness in your heart, and God will give you all the high altitude you want. He will come to you and be with you in your bedroom.
"The Lord fulfil all Your petitions." The Lord fulfil not only the petitions which You made on earth, but those also whereby Thou intercedest for us in heaven. "Now have I known that the Lord has saved his Christ" [Psalm 20:6]. Now has it been shown to me in prophecy, that the Lord will raise up His Christ again. "He will hear Him from His holy heaven." He will hear Him not from earth only, where He prayed to be glorified; [John 17:1] but from heaven also, where interceding for us at the Right Hand of the Father, [Hebrews 7:25] He has from thence shed abroad the Holy Spirit on them that believe in Him. "In strength is the safety of His right hand." Our strength is in the safety of His favour, when even out of tribulation He gives help, that "when we are weak, then we may be strong." [2 Corinthians 12:10] "For vain is" that "safety of man," which comes not of His right hand but of His left: for thereby are they lifted up to great pride, whosoever in their sins have secured a temporal safety.
The salvation which he established is recognized as our power when it is neither diminished by diseases nor injured by pains. Such a salvation makes us powerful, since it protects us within its eternal existence.
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Summary
Psalms 20:6 serves as a powerful declaration of unwavering faith, marking a dramatic pivot from earnest petition to confident assurance. It proclaims with certainty that the LORD, Yahweh, will definitively save His anointed king, responding from His transcendent dwelling in "holy heaven" and acting with the irresistible, delivering power of His "right hand." This verse stands as a profound testament to divine faithfulness, the efficacy of prayer, and the guaranteed victory God grants to His chosen representative.
Context
Literary Context
Psalm 20 is a communal prayer offered on behalf of the king, likely David, as he prepares to engage in battle. The preceding verses (Psalms 20:1-5) consist of fervent petitions from the people or the Levitical priests, invoking God's protection, blessing, and triumph for their monarch. Verse 6 introduces a profound and dramatic shift in tone and perspective. It is not a continuation of supplication but a sudden, Spirit-inspired declaration of certainty, an affirmation of faith that God has heard the prayers and will act decisively. This declaration anticipates the thanksgiving and celebration of victory found in Psalm 21, which follows, demonstrating a movement within the psalms from hopeful supplication to confident expectation and culminating in praise for answered prayer.
Historical & Cultural Context
This psalm is firmly situated within the historical and cultural milieu of the Israelite monarchy, particularly the Davidic dynasty. Kings in ancient Israel were consecrated through anointing with oil, a ritual signifying their divine appointment and sacred status as God's chosen representatives (e.g., 1 Samuel 16:13). Their welfare and success were intrinsically linked to the nation's well-being and security. In a period marked by frequent warfare, reliance on divine intervention for victory was not merely a religious custom but a strategic necessity, contrasting sharply with the reliance on military might, chariots, and horses by surrounding nations (a contrast explicitly highlighted in Psalms 20:7). The concept of God hearing from "His holy heaven" reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of a transcendent deity who, despite His exalted dwelling, actively engages with and intervenes in human affairs.
Key Themes
Psalms 20:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights Divine Assurance and Confidence, as the speaker's emphatic "Now know I" signifies a deep, experiential certainty in God's character, His covenant faithfulness, and His commitment to His promises. This declaration serves to bolster the faith of both the king and the entire community. The verse further underscores God's Deliverance of His Anointed, emphasizing God's unique commitment to save and uphold His chosen representative, a theme that finds its ultimate and climactic fulfillment in the person of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Finally, the passage vividly portrays God's Omnipotence and Responsiveness, demonstrating that God, though dwelling in "His holy heaven," actively hears the prayers of His people and intervenes "with the saving strength of his right hand," a potent metaphor for His irresistible power and decisive action, echoing similar expressions of divine might seen in passages like Exodus 15:6.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word signifies more than mere intellectual understanding; it denotes a deep, intimate, and experiential knowledge, often implying recognition, discernment, and even relationship. In this context, "Now know I" expresses a profound, confident assurance and conviction, as if the psalmist has received an immediate, Spirit-inspired revelation or confirmation of God's intent. It is a declaration of faith born from a profound conviction of God's character and His faithfulness to His promises, moving from hopeful petition to absolute certainty.
This pivotal term, from which the English word "Messiah" is directly derived, literally means "anointed one." In the Old Testament, it primarily refers to the king of Israel, who was consecrated with oil as God's chosen representative and ruler (e.g., 1 Samuel 16:13). It could also apply to priests and, at times, prophets. Here, it underscores the special relationship between God and His divinely appointed ruler, implying divine protection, favor, and a guarantee of success in God's purposes.
This is a powerful and frequently used biblical idiom representing strength, power, authority, and decisive action. God's "right hand" is consistently portrayed as the instrument of His might, whether in salvation, judgment, or victory. It signifies God's active, irresistible, and victorious intervention on behalf of His people, illustrating His ability to overcome any opposition and bring about His will.
Verse Breakdown
"Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed;"
This opening clause marks the dramatic shift in the psalm's tone. The speaker, likely a priest or prophetic voice, declares with absolute certainty that Yahweh, the covenant God, is the one who "saveth" (delivers, brings victory to, grants salvation to) "His anointed" (the king). This is a declaration of established fact and unwavering faith, not a mere wish or a continued plea, affirming God's unfailing commitment to His chosen representative.
"he will hear him from his holy heaven"
This phrase emphasizes both God's transcendence and His immanence. God dwells in "His holy heaven," signifying His supreme authority, purity, and separation from human limitations and earthly defilement. Yet, from this exalted and sacred position, He actively "hears" the prayers and cries of His anointed, demonstrating His attentive, responsive, and engaged nature. It underscores that God's power is not distant or detached but intimately involved in human affairs, particularly those concerning His covenant people.
"with the saving strength of his right hand."
This final clause specifies the means by which God's salvation and deliverance will be accomplished. It is not by human might, military prowess, or the strength of chariots and horses (as mentioned in Psalms 20:7), but by the "saving strength" of God's own "right hand." This powerful anthropomorphism vividly portrays God's irresistible power, His decisive action, and His ability to bring about complete victory and triumphant deliverance. It assures that God's intervention will be both effective and overwhelming.
Literary Devices
Psalms 20:6 functions primarily as a powerful Declaration or Affirmation, marking a sudden and confident shift from the preceding petitions. The emphatic phrase "Now know I" acts as a Pivot Point, signaling an immediate, divinely-inspired assurance of victory, transforming the mood of the psalm. The description of God hearing from "His holy heaven" and acting "with the saving strength of His right hand" employs Anthropomorphism, attributing human-like qualities (hearing, having a hand) to God to make His actions comprehensible and impactful to human understanding. Specifically, "the saving strength of His right hand" is a potent Metonymy or Synecdoche, where a part (the hand) stands for the whole (God's entire powerful being) and His attribute (strength) is personified as an active, delivering force. This vivid imagery creates a compelling picture of God's decisive, irresistible, and sovereign intervention. The consistent focus on God's active role ("saveth," "will hear," "strength of His right hand") highlights divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 20:6 stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering faithfulness of God to His covenant promises, particularly those made to the Davidic line. It underscores the profound truth that God is not a passive observer but an active, sovereign deliverer who hears the cries of His people and acts with irresistible power on behalf of His chosen ones. The confident declaration "Now know I" reflects a deep theological understanding that God's character and His covenant commitment guarantee His intervention, transforming hopeful petition into certain expectation. This divine assurance is foundational for the faith of both the king and the community, reminding them that ultimate victory belongs solely to the Lord.
Reflection and Application
For the contemporary believer, Psalms 20:6 offers profound encouragement and a powerful model for faith in the face of adversity. It reminds us that our earnest prayers are not offered into a void, but to a living God who hears from "His holy heaven" and responds with the "saving strength of His right hand." In moments of personal struggle, national crisis, or spiritual warfare, this verse invites us to move beyond mere hope to a confident declaration of God's certain intervention. Just as God was committed to His anointed king, He is infinitely more committed to His people, who are "anointed" by the Holy Spirit in Christ and called to be a kingdom of priests. This profound confidence allows us to face daunting challenges, not with reliance on human strength or ingenuity, but with the unwavering assurance that the Almighty God is actively working on our behalf, fully capable of delivering us from any adversary or circumstance. It calls us to place our trust solely in His omnipotent power, knowing that His saving strength is always sufficient for every need.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "his anointed" mean in the context of Psalms 20:6?
In this specific context, "his anointed" (Hebrew: mashiach) primarily refers to the king of Israel, specifically the reigning Davidic monarch. Kings were consecrated through a ritual anointing with oil, which symbolized their divine appointment and special status as God's chosen representative to rule His people. This term underscores that the king's authority, legitimacy, and success were derived directly from God, not from human power or popular acclaim. This concept of God's "anointed" king also serves as a significant foreshadowing of the ultimate "Anointed One," the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
How can we, as believers today, have the same "now know I" certainty as the psalmist?
Our certainty, like the psalmist's, stems from faith in God's unchanging character and His revealed promises in Scripture. While the psalmist's declaration was likely a Spirit-inspired assurance for a specific battle, believers today can have an even greater and more comprehensive certainty through the finished work of Jesus Christ. We "know" God saves because He has already provided ultimate and eternal salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection. Our confidence in prayer, as articulated in 1 John 5:14-15, is rooted not in our feelings but in God's revealed will and His faithfulness to His Son. This "knowing" is based on the objective truth of God's Word and His demonstrated power throughout redemptive history.
Is "holy heaven" a literal place where God's physical hand is located?
"Holy heaven" refers to God's transcendent dwelling place, emphasizing His holiness, majesty, and supreme authority that exists beyond the physical, observable universe. It is a theological concept signifying God's otherness, His absolute purity, and His ultimate control over all creation. The phrase "with the saving strength of his right hand" is an anthropomorphism, a figure of speech that attributes human characteristics (like a physical hand) to God to help us comprehend His actions and attributes. It is not meant to be taken literally as God possessing a physical hand in heaven, but rather as a powerful and vivid metaphor for His omnipotent, active, and decisive intervention in human affairs, demonstrating His irresistible power to save and deliver.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 20:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the true and eternal "Anointed One" (Messiah). While the psalm initially speaks of an earthly king, it serves as a prophetic shadow, pointing forward to the divine King whose victory is absolute, eternal, and universal. Jesus, as the Son of God, was uniquely anointed by the Holy Spirit for His redemptive mission, as prophesied in Isaiah 61:1 and explicitly affirmed by Jesus Himself in Luke 4:18. The declaration that the LORD "saveth his anointed" reaches its pinnacle in Christ's triumph over sin, death, and the grave through His crucifixion and glorious resurrection. It was precisely by the "saving strength of His right hand" that God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him to His own right hand in heaven, granting Him all authority, power, and dominion (as powerfully declared in Acts 2:33 and Ephesians 1:20-21). Thus, the confident assurance expressed in Psalms 20:6 is fully realized in Jesus, who now intercedes for us from "His holy heaven" and through whom all believers receive salvation, eternal life, and the unwavering assurance of God's mighty, delivering power. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to save His Anointed, providing eternal victory for all who trust in Him.