Psalms 20:9

KJV

Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

KJV (with Strong's)

Save {H3467}, LORD {H3068}: let the king {H4428} hear {H6030} us when {H3117} we call {H7121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Give victory, ADONAI! Let the King answer us the day we call.

Berean Standard Bible

O LORD, save the king. Answer us on the day we call.

American Standard Version

Save, Jehovah: Let the King answer us when we call.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 20:9 serves as a climactic, fervent plea, culminating a psalm dedicated to intercessory prayer for the king and the nation in a time of impending conflict. This verse encapsulates the profound and urgent dependence of God's people on divine intervention, acknowledging that ultimate salvation and victory reside solely with the LORD, the true King, who hears and answers the cries of His people in their hour of need.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 20 is strategically positioned as a communal prayer offered by the people for their king, likely David, as he prepares for military engagement. It forms a thematic pair with [Psalm 21](/psalms/21 "Psalm 21 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving for Victory"), which is a psalm of thanksgiving *after* victory, highlighting the sequence of prayer before and praise after God's deliverance. The preceding verses of [Psalm 20](/psalms/20 "Psalm 20 - A Prayer for the King in Battle") articulate the people's confidence that the LORD will answer their king in the day of trouble, remember his offerings, and grant him success against his foes. Verse 9, therefore, functions as the urgent, concluding petition, a direct appeal to God to fulfill the hopes and assurances expressed throughout the psalm, bringing the collective prayer to its fervent climax.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the king was considered God's anointed representative, and his success in battle was intrinsically linked to the nation's well-being and God's favor. Warfare was a common reality, and while human armies and strategies were employed, the ultimate source of victory was understood to be the LORD. This psalm reflects a cultural context where national security and prosperity were seen as direct results of divine intervention. Unlike surrounding nations who relied on the strength of their chariots and horses, Israel's unique covenant relationship with YHWH taught them to place their trust in God's power and salvation, a theme explicitly stated in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the LORD"). The people's prayer for their king was not just for his personal safety but for the divine protection and vindication of the entire nation.

* **Key Themes:** Several profound themes converge in [Psalm 20](/psalms/20 "Psalm 20 - A Prayer for the King in Battle") and culminate in verse 9. Firstly, the theme of **Divine Deliverance** is paramount, emphasizing that true salvation and victory come from God alone, not from human strength or military might, as underscored in [Psalm 3:8](/psalms/3-8 "Psalm 3:8 - Salvation Belongs to the LORD"). Secondly, the psalm highlights the vital practice of **Intercessory Prayer for Leaders**, demonstrating the people's responsibility to pray for those in authority, recognizing that their success impacts the entire community. Thirdly, it powerfully affirms **God as the Hearer of Prayer**, portraying Him as attentive and responsive to the fervent cries of His servants. Finally, the overarching theme of **God's Sovereignty** is evident, consistently pointing to the LORD as the ultimate source of strength, protection, and victory, reinforcing that "the battle belongs to the LORD," as declared in [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle Belongs to the LORD").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Save (Hebrew, _yasha'_):** This imperative verb is a direct and urgent plea for divine intervention, meaning "to deliver," "to help," or "to grant victory." It signifies rescue from a state of distress, danger, or oppression. The root of this word is foundational to the concept of salvation throughout Scripture, even forming the basis for the name "Jesus" (Yeshua), meaning "YHWH saves." Here, it is a cry for God's powerful and decisive action.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton, the sacred, covenantal name of God, often translated as "LORD" (in all caps) in English Bibles. Its use here emphasizes God's personal, relational, and active involvement with His people. The prayer is addressed directly to the sovereign God of Israel, who is faithful to His promises and powerful to deliver.
* **King (Hebrew, _melek'_):** This noun is pivotal for interpreting the second clause. While "king" often refers to the earthly monarch (e.g., David), the most robust interpretation in this context, supported by modern scholarship and translations, is that "the King" here refers to YHWH Himself. The people are appealing to God, the ultimate King and sovereign ruler, to hear and answer their prayers. This understanding aligns with the psalm's overall emphasis on God's supreme authority and power over human rulers and military might.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Save, LORD:"**: This opening phrase is a direct, emphatic imperative, a desperate cry for God's immediate and powerful intervention. It acknowledges that ultimate salvation, deliverance, and victory come from the LORD alone, not from human strength or strategy. It sets the tone for a prayer rooted in absolute dependence on divine power.
* **"let the king hear us when we call."**: This clause, particularly the identity of "the king," is key to understanding the verse's full impact. While the KJV might suggest the earthly king hearing the people, the Hebrew structure and broader theological context strongly indicate that "the king" here refers to YHWH Himself, the ultimate King of Israel. Therefore, the plea is for the LORD (the divine King) to be attentive and responsive to the prayers of His people, which are offered on behalf of their earthly king and nation. It is an expression of profound confidence that God is a prayer-hearing God, who will answer His people in their time of need.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 20:9 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its urgent message. The use of the **Imperative Mood** in "Save!" immediately establishes a tone of fervent petition and absolute dependence, highlighting the people's desperate need for divine intervention. This is coupled with **Direct Address** to "LORD" (YHWH), creating an intimate and personal appeal to God's covenant faithfulness. The phrase "the king" in the second clause functions as a **Divine Appellation**, referring to YHWH as the ultimate sovereign King who hears and answers His people. This reinforces the psalm's central theological assertion that God is the true source of authority and power, transcending any earthly monarch. Furthermore, an underlying **Inclusio** is present in the psalm's structure, beginning with a prayer for God to "answer" (v. 1) and concluding with a plea for the King (God) to "answer" (v. 9), framing the entire psalm with the theme of God's responsiveness to prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 20:9 powerfully synthesizes several core theological truths. It underscores the absolute **Sovereignty of God** as the ultimate source of salvation and victory, reminding us that no human king, army, or strategy can succeed without His divine favor. The verse also champions the profound efficacy of **Prayer**, portraying it as the primary means by which God's people engage with His sovereignty, bringing their deepest needs and petitions before Him. It affirms God's nature as the **Hearer and Answerer of Prayer**, instilling confidence that He is attentive to the cries of His faithful. This reliance on God's active intervention fosters a spirit of humble dependence, acknowledging that true strength and security are found not in human might but in the LORD's unfailing power and covenant faithfulness.

* [Psalm 3:8](/psalms/3-8 "Psalm 3:8 - Salvation Belongs to the LORD")
* [1 Timothy 2:1-2](/1_timothy/2-1 "1 Timothy 2:1-2 - Prayers for All People, Especially Leaders")
* [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me and I Will Answer You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 20:9 offers timeless and profound insights for contemporary believers. In a world often characterized by anxiety, political turmoil, and reliance on human solutions, this verse calls us back to the foundational truth that our ultimate hope and salvation reside in the LORD alone. It challenges us to cultivate a deep and unwavering trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that He is the true King who governs all affairs, both national and personal. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful summons to faithful and persistent prayer, not only for our personal needs but especially for those in positions of authority—leaders in government, church, and community—understanding that their well-being and wise leadership are intertwined with the flourishing of society. When we call upon the LORD, acknowledging His supreme authority, we can rest assured that He hears and is able to answer, aligning our hearts with His divine purposes for deliverance and blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or in the life of your community are you most tempted to rely on human strength or resources rather than God's divine intervention?**
* **How does the understanding of God as the "King" who answers prayer deepen your confidence and persistence in intercession for leaders and national concerns?**
* **What specific prayers for those in authority can you commit to praying regularly, inspired by the spirit of Psalms 20:9?**

### FAQ
**Who is "the king" referred to in Psalms 20:9?**

Answer: While the KJV translation "let the king hear us" might suggest the earthly king (like David), the most widely accepted scholarly interpretation, supported by the Hebrew grammar and the psalm's theological emphasis, is that "the king" in this verse refers to YHWH Himself. The people are crying out to God, the ultimate sovereign King, asking Him to "save" and to "answer" their prayers. This aligns with the overall message of [Psalm 20](/psalms/20 "Psalm 20 - A Prayer for the King in Battle"), which consistently points to God as the true source of victory and salvation, not human might (see [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the LORD")).

**Does this psalm suggest that God always grants victory in battle?**

Answer: [Psalm 20](/psalms/20 "Psalm 20 - A Prayer for the King in Battle") is a prayer offered *before* battle, expressing confidence in God's willingness to answer and save. While it reflects a strong belief in God's power to grant victory, it does not promise automatic success in every conflict. Rather, it emphasizes that true victory and salvation come *from the LORD* and that His people must depend on Him, not on their own strength. The psalm encourages faithful prayer and trust in God's sovereignty, acknowledging that His ultimate purposes prevail, even if the immediate outcome of a specific battle might not always align with human expectations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 20:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true and eternal [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"), to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). The cry "Save, LORD" echoes the very essence of His name, Yeshua (Jesus), which means "YHWH saves," for He came to "save his people from their sins" ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People from Their Sins")). As the divine King, Jesus not only hears our prayers but actively intercedes for us before the Father ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes for Us")). His victory on the cross and resurrection from the dead represent the ultimate divine deliverance, conquering sin, death, and the powers of darkness, securing eternal salvation for all who call upon His name. Thus, the ancient plea of Psalms 20:9 finds its complete answer in Christ, the sovereign King who saves and perfectly fulfills the promise that the King will hear us when we call.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 5:2

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

Psalms 44:4

Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

Psalms 118:25

Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

Psalms 118:26

Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

Matthew 21:15

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

Psalms 74:12

¶ For God [is] my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Psalms 17:6

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, [and] hear my speech.