Psalm 20 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of Psalm 20)

Verse 1

[1] The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

God of Jacob — God had made a covenant with Jacob and his posterity.

Verse 2

[2] Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

Sanctuary — From the tabernacle in Zion, where the ark then was; toward which the Israelites directed their prayers.

Verse 5

[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.

Rejoice — Hereby they shew their confidence in God, and their assurance of the victory.

Name — To the honour of God.

Set up — In way of triumph.

Verse 6

[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.

Now — 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 unanimous in this prayer.

Saveth — Will certainly save.

Strength — This shews how God will hear him, even by saving him with a strong hand.

Verse 7

[7] Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Remember — Trust in it.

Verse 8

[8] They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

Brought down — From their horses and chariots, to which they trusted.

Stand — Stand firmly, and keep the field.

Verse 9

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

Let the king — God, the supreme monarch, the king of kings, and in a peculiar manner the king of Israel.