Bible Commentaries
Psalms 20

Verse 1

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. See App-4 .

hear = answer.

name. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the person himself. Occurs three times in this Psalm: Psalms 20:1 , the Defending Name; Psalms 20:5 , the Displayed Name; Psalms 20:7 , the Delivering Name.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

God of Jacob = Jacob's God: i.e. the God Who met Jacob when he had nothing and deserved nothing (but wrath), and gave him everything. The N.T. "God. of all grace", See note on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 ; this Divine title occurs in Psalms 46:7 , Psalms 46:11 ; Psalms 75:9 ; Psalms 76:6 ; Psalms 81:1 , Psalms 81:4 ; Psalms 84:8 ; Psalms 94:7 ; Psalms 114:7 ; Psalms 146:5 .

defend = shall defend. To this day the calling out the name of a person of rank or power will bring protection to one in danger from the violence of an enemy. In Psalms always used of God.

Verse 2

thee = thy.

strengthen = sustain, or support. Hebrew. sa'ad . Compare Psalms 20:6 with Psalms 21:1 .

Zion. See App-68 .

Verse 3

all thy offerings. Some codices, with eight early printed editions, read "every present of thine".

offerings = gift offerings, or presents. Hebrew. minchah. App-43 .

accept. Hebrew turn to ashes. This was the only way by which Jehovah accepted what was offered. See note on Genesis 4:4 .

Selah. Here, connecting the prayer of Psalms 20:4 with the atonement or accepted sacrifice of Psalms 20:3 ; the only ground on which prayer can be answered. See App-66 .

Verse 5

fulfil = will fulfil.

Verse 6

His Anointed = His Messiah.

will hear = answereth (continually).

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

With the saving strengths = by the mighty saving deeds.

strength = might (inherent). Hebrew. gabar. Compare App-14 and Psalms 20:2 above.

right hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6

Verse 7

Some trust in = Some by, &c.

in = by.

we will remember, &c. = we by, &c.

Verse 8

stand upright = are established.

Verse 9

Save, LORD , or, O LORD, save. Or, with Septuagint, "Jehovah save the king". Compare Psalms 20:6 .

when = in the day when. See App-18 .