Psalms 20:8

They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

They are brought down {H3766} and fallen {H5307}: but we are risen {H6965}, and stand upright {H5749}.

They will crumple and fall, but we will arise and stand erect.

They collapse and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

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

Psalms 20:8 delivers a powerful declaration of faith and the anticipated outcome of trusting in the Lord. It captures the essence of divine victory and the stark contrast between those who rely on worldly might and those who depend on God's unwavering strength.

Context of Psalms 20:8

Psalm 20 is a communal prayer for the king, likely David, as he prepares to go into battle. The psalm is filled with petitions for God's favor and protection before the conflict begins. Verse 8 serves as a triumphant affirmation, a prophetic declaration of the victory that awaits those who place their trust in God, not human resources. It directly follows the crucial statement in Psalms 20:7: "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." This sets up the dramatic contrast that verse 8 vividly illustrates, highlighting the difference between worldly reliance and divine dependence.

Key Themes

  • Divine Victory and Deliverance: The verse assures that God's people, who rely on Him, will experience triumph over their adversaries. It is a declaration of God's power to save and deliver, regardless of the strength of the opposition.
  • Contrast of Reliance: It starkly differentiates between those who depend on human or worldly power (represented by chariots and horses in the preceding verse) and those who place their faith in God's name. The former are destined for defeat, while the latter are upheld.
  • Steadfastness and Restoration: The phrases "risen, and stand upright" signify not just victory, but also stability, restoration, and a firm, enduring position. God not only grants triumph but ensures His people remain strong and unyielding.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words in Psalms 20:8 vividly portray the two contrasting fates. "Brought down" (kara') and "fallen" (naphal) depict a complete collapse, bowing down in defeat, and utter destruction for the enemies. In stark contrast, "risen" (qum) implies rising up, being established, or standing firm, while "stand upright" (ya'amad) signifies a steadfast, enduring, and stable position for God's people. This linguistic precision underscores the dramatic shift from the enemy's downfall to the believer's steadfastness.

Practical Application

Psalms 20:8 offers profound encouragement for believers facing challenges in any era. In a world that often measures success by worldly power, wealth, or human ingenuity, this verse calls us back to the foundational truth that true strength and lasting stability come from God alone. It urges us to face our personal struggles, spiritual battles, or societal pressures with an unwavering faith that God will uphold us. Just as He grants victory, He also ensures we remain standing, firm in our faith and purpose. Our confidence should always be in the Lord, for the name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 125:1

    ¶ A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever.

  • Micah 7:8

    Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me.

  • Psalms 34:21

    Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

  • Psalms 34:22

    The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

  • Jeremiah 17:7

    Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

  • Jeremiah 17:8

    For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

  • Judges 5:31

    So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but [let] them that love him [be] as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

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