Table of Contents
Psalm 20
Psalm 20
1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.
6 Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.
Notes
Cross Reference
Concordance
Commentary
Rashi
Verse 2
<html><b>May the Lord answer you on a day of distress</b> This psalm was [composed] because he [David] would send Joab and all Israel to war, and he would stand in Jerusalem and pray for them, as the matter is stated (in II Sam. 18:3): “It is better that you be for us from the city as aid.” Were it not for David, Joab would not have succeeded in battle. <b>the name of the God of Jacob</b> Who promised him [Jacob] when he went to Haran and kept His promise; therefore, it is stated: “the God of Jacob.”</html>
Verse 3
<html><b>from His sanctuary</b> From His Holy Temple, in which He dwells.</html>
Verse 4
<html><b>your meal offerings…burnt offerings</b> They are the prayers that you pray in battle. <b>fat</b> Heb. ידשנה, an expression of fat, as (in Deut. 31:20): “and it will eat and be satisfied, and it will become obese (ודשן),” i.e., He will accept them [the prayers] willingly like fat burnt offering.</html>
Verse 6
<html><b>Let us sing praises for your salvation</b> When the Holy One, blessed be He, saves you, we will all sing praises to the Holy One, blessed be He. <b>and let us assemble in the name of our God</b> Heb. נדגל, let us assemble and become strong.</html>
Verse 7
<html><b>Now I know</b> This is the praise that we will sing now for this salvation that came to Joab and to Israel: I know that the Omnipresent desired me and has answered me from His holy heavens, for their salvation is my salvation.</html>
Verse 8
<html><b>These trust in chariots</b> Some nations trust in their iron chariots, and some trust in horses, but wewe pray in the name of the Lord, because the salvation is His. נזכיר is an expression of burning sacrifices and of prayer, as (in Isa. 66:3): “he who burns (מזכיר) frankincense,” (and in Lev. 2:2): “its memorial part (אזכרתה).” Therefore, they kneel and fall…</html>
Verse 9
<html><b>but we rise and gain strength</b> We gain strength over them, as (below 147:6): “strengthens (מעודד) the humble,” an expression of strength.</html>