Psalms 20

This Psalm contains a Prayer to be used by the People, both now on the behalf of King David, when he was undertaking some great Expedition, going forth, as is supposed, against the Ammonites, and Syrians, 2 Sam. 10. or some other potent Enemies, and hereafter in like Cases.

THe LORD hear thee in the day of trouble In this time of War and Danger.: the Name of the God of Iacob (i. e) God himself; For Names are oft put for Persons, as Numb. 26. 53. A.... 1. 15. and 4. 12. and the Name of God, for God, as Deut. 28. 58. Ne.... 9. 5. Psal. 44. 98. 20. Prov. 18. 10. and oft elsewhere. He calls him the God of Iacob, or Israel, partly to distinguish him from false God's; and partly as an Argument to enforce the Prayer, because God had made a League, or Covenant with Iacob and his Posterity, who are called by the Name of Iacob, Psal. 147. 19, 20. Isa. 44. 2. and whose cause David was now pleading against their Enemies. defend thee.

Send thee help from the sanctuary Either, 1. From Heaven, as it is expressed, v. 6. Or rather, 2. From the Tabernacle in Sion, as it is explained in the next Words, where the Ark then was; towards which the Israelites directed their Prayers, and from which God heard and answered them.: and strengthen thee out of Zion.

Remember To wit, with acceptance, as it follows. all thy offerings Offered either by th... e, at thy entrance upon this Expedition: Or by us thy People on thy behalf, or by thine appointment., and accept Heb. turn to Ashes, by fire sent from Heaven in token of his acceptance, as was usual; of which see Levit. 9. 24. 1 Kings 18. 38. thy burnt-sacrifice, S... lah.

Grant thee according to thine own heart (i. e.) That good success which thy Heart desires, and fulfil all thy counsels Thy present design for God, and for his and thy People..

We will rejoyce Hereby they show their Confidence in God, and their assurance of the Victory. in thy salvation, and in the Name of our God (i. e.) To the Honour of God, as the Conqueror. we will set up our banners In way of Triumph; which among other ways was celebrated by the setting up of Banners or Trophies.: the LORD fulfil all thy Petitions.

Now know I We are already sure of Victory by the Consideration of God's power and faithfulness and Love to David, and to his People. They speak as one Person, because they were united, and Unanimous in this Prayer., that the LORD saveth (i. e.) Will certainly save. his anointed Our Lord and King., he will hear him from his holy Heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand. p This shows how God will hear him, even by saving him with a strong hand.

Some trust Or, Remember; which may better be supplied out of the next Clause. in chariots, and some in Horses: but we will remember Or, make mention of, to wit, so as to boast of it, or trust in it; for such things men oft remember or mention. the Name of the LORD our God.

They are brought down From their Horses and Chariots, to which they trusted. Heb. They bowed down, as being unable to stand longer because of their mortal Wounds. Comp. Iudg. 5. 27. and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright Stand firmly upon our Legs, and keep the field, as Conquerers use to do..

Save, LORD, let the king Either, 1... David. So the Sense is, O Lord preserve and assist the King, that when we are distressed and Cry to him for Help, he may be able and ready to Help us, Or 2. God, the Supream Monarch, the King of Kings, and in a peculiar manner the King of Israel, hear and answer us, when we pray for our King and People. And for the change of Persons in this Verse, nothing is more common. Or 3. Christ, called the King both in the Old and New Testament. But this Verse is by divers learned Men rendred thus, Lord save the King. He (i. e. the Lord) will hear us (Or, Let him hear us; For the future Tense is oft put Imperatively:) When we Cry, Or call upon him. And this version is very agreeable to the Hebrew Text. For whereas the only ground of the other Translation, i..., that the Hebrew Accent called Athnoch is put under the word save, which is supposed to stop the Sense there, it is sufficiently evident, that Athnoch does not always make such a Distinction in these Poetical Books, as appears from Psal. 11. 5. and 17. 10. and 19. 4. and 22. 31. and therefore this may seem to be the better Version. hear us when we call.