Old Testament

Psalms 20

Prayer for the King Before Battle

3 passages

Overview

The Israelite community intercedes for their king before war, grounding all hope in the name of the Lord rather than in chariots or horses, and closes with the urgent acclamation "Save, Yahweh!"—the cry that prefigures the Hosanna greeting Christ at Jerusalem.

Passages

1–5The Community's Prayer for the King Before Battle 6–8The Oracle of Confidence: Trust in God, Not in Military Power 9Save, Yahweh! — The Cry That Crowns a Royal Psalm

Study Resources

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Psalms 20

¹For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. May Yahweh answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high,

²send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion,

³remember all your offerings, and accept your burned sacrifice. Selah.

⁴May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your counsel.

⁵We will triumph in your salvation. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners. May Yahweh grant all your requests.

⁶Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand.

⁷Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of Yahweh our God.

⁸They are bowed down and fallen, but we rise up, and stand upright.

⁹Save, Yahweh! Let the King answer us when we call!

Psalms 19 Psalms 21