Psalm 20:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

NIV: For the director of music. A psalm of David. May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

NASB: May the Lord answer you on a day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

CSB: May the Lord answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob's God protect you.

NLT: In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.

KJV: {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

NKJV: {To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.} May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;

Psalm 20 opens with the congregation of Israel in the tabernacle praying in unison for David as he prepares for battle. The description, "the day of trouble," indicates that a battle was pending. The congregation asks the Lord to answer David, who had entered the tabernacle to pray and offer sacrifices. The congregation also prays that the Lord will keep David safe.

Intercessory prayer for those who are in authority is still necessary. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1–3:

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior."

Although King David was a benevolent, godly king, the rulers in Paul's day were far from benevolent and godly. Nevertheless, believers were urged to pray for them. Today, too, we ought to pray for our government officials and other leaders regardless of their political views or spiritual status.

Psalm 20:1–5 expresses the tabernacle's congregational prayer for David as he prepares for battle. Deuteronomy 20:1–4 calls upon the people of Israel to rely on the Lord when they go to battle. The opening of this psalm demonstrates the people's positive response to this call. These words reveal Israel's love and admiration for King David.

David prepares for battle. He offers prayer and sacrifices in the tabernacle and trusts in the Lord for victory. His army is ready to march into battle, and it is organized into groups, each with its banner. The congregation voices its invocation, asking the Lord to protect, help, support, and give David success. King David responds by assuring the congregation that the Lord answers prayer and will grant him victory over the enemy. He is certain the enemy will fall while he and his men will stand. Finally, the congregation calls upon the Lord to answer their prayer to save the king.

This psalm was written by David as a prayer before he went into battle. Psalm 21 offers praise for victory. It seems David had entered the tabernacle to pray before going to battle. The tone of the psalm is somber and urgent, whereas the tone of the next psalm (Psalm 21:1) is joyful. Perhaps our Lord's prayer in the garden of Gethsemane resembles the prayer in Psalm 20. At Gethsemane Jesus struggled with the prospect of suffering and dying and prayed for deliverance (Luke 22:39–44).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.