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Psalms 20:1

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— [[For the choir director. A Psalm of David.]] May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you [securely] on high!
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— [[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;
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— [[For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.]] The LORD answer thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— [[For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.]] Jehovah answer thee in the day of trouble; The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— [[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.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— [[To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.]] Jehovah answer thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob protect thee;
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— [[To the Chief Musician. A Melody of David.]] Yahweh answer thee, in the day of distress, The Name of the God of Jacob give thee safety;
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— To the Overseer.—A Psalm of David. Jehovah doth answer thee, In a day of adversity, The name of the God of Jacob doth set thee on high,
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— Unto the end. A psalm for David. May the Lord hear thee in the day of tribulation: may the name of the God of Jacob protect thee.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— [[To him that excelleth. A Psalme of Dauid.]] The Lorde heare thee in the day of trouble: the name of ye God of Iaakob defend thee:
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— [[To the chiefe Musician. A Psalme of Dauid.]] The LORD heare thee in the day of trouble, the Name of the God of Iacob defend thee.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— MAY the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— [[For the end, a Psalm of David.]] The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— [[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of Dawid.]] Yahweh hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the Elohim of Yaaqov defend thee;

Strong's Numbers & Hebrew NamesHebrew Old TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
[[To the chief Musician, 5329
{5329} Prime
נָצַח
natsach
{naw-tsakh'}
A primitive root; properly to glitter from afar, that is, to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); also (as denominative from H5331), to be permanent.
z8764
<8764> Grammar
Stem - Piel (See H8840)
Mood - Participle (See H8813)
Count - 685
A Psalm 4210
{4210} Prime
מִזְמוֹר
mizmowr
{miz-more'}
From H2167; properly instrumental music; by implication a poem set to notes.
of Däwiđ דָּוִד.]] 1732
{1732} Prime
דָּוִד
David
{daw-veed'}
From the same as H1730; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.
Yähwè יָהוֶה 3068
{3068} Prime
יְהֹוָה
Y@hovah
{yeh-ho-vaw'}
From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.
hear 6030
{6030} Prime
עָנָה
`anah
{aw-naw'}
A primitive root; properly to eye or (generally) to heed, that is, pay attention; by implication to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce.
z8799
<8799> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Imperfect (See H8811)
Count - 19885
thee in the day 3117
{3117} Prime
יוֹם
yowm
{yome}
From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literally (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figuratively (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverbially).
of trouble; 6869
{6869} Prime
צָרָה
tsarah
{tsaw-raw'}
Feminine of H6862; tightness (that is, figuratively trouble); transitively a female rival.
the name 8034
{8034} Prime
שֵׁם
shem
{shame}
A primitive word (perhaps rather from H7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare H8064); an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.
of the ´Élöhîm אֱלֹהִים 430
{0430} Prime
אֱלֹהִים
'elohiym
{el-o-heem'}
Plural of H0433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative.
of Ya`áköv יַעֲקֹב 3290
{3290} Prime
יַעֲקֹב
Ya`aqob
{yah-ak-obe'}
From H6117; heel catcher (that is, supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.
defend 7682
{7682} Prime
שָׂגַב
sagab
{saw-gab'}
A primitive root; to be (causatively make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication safe, strong; used literally and figuratively.
z8762
<8762> Grammar
Stem - Piel (See H8840)
Mood - Imperfect (See H8811)
Count - 2447
thee;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Psalms 20:1

_ _ Psalms 20:1-9. David probably composed this Psalm to express the prayers of the pious for his success as at once the head of the Church and nation. Like other compositions of which David in such relations is the subject, its sentiments have a permanent value — the prosperity of Christ’s kingdom being involved, as well as typified, in that of Israel and its king.

_ _ hear thee — graciously (Psalms 4:1).

_ _ name of — or manifested perfections, as power, wisdom, etc.

_ _ defend thee — set thee on high from danger (Psalms 9:9; Psalms 18:3).

Matthew Henry's Commentary

Psalms 20:1-5

_ _ This prayer for David is entitled a psalm of David; nor was it any absurdity at all for him who was divinely inspired to draw up a directory, or form of prayer, to be used in the congregation for himself and those in authority under him; nay it is very proper for those who desire the prayers of their friends to tell them particularly what they would have to be asked of God for them. Note, Even great and good men, and those that know ever so well how to pray for themselves, must not despise, but earnestly desire, the prayers of others for them, even those that are their inferiors in all respects. Paul often begged of his friends to pray for him. Magistrates and those in power ought to esteem and encourage praying people, to reckon them their strength (Zechariah 12:5, Zechariah 12:10), and to do what they can for them, that they may have an interest in their prayers and may do nothing to forfeit it. Now observe here,

_ _ I. What it is that they are taught to ask of God for the king.

_ _ 1. That God would answer his prayers: The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble (Psalms 20:1), and the Lord fulfil all thy petitions, Psalms 20:5. Note, (1.) Even the greatest of men may be much in trouble. It was often a day of trouble with David himself, of disappointment and distress, of treading down and of perplexity. Neither the crown on his head nor the grace in his heart would exempt him from the trouble. (2.) Even the greatest of men must be much in prayer. David, though a man of business, a man of war, was constant to his devotions; though he had prophets, and priests, and many good people among his subjects, to pray for him, he did not think that excused him from praying for himself. Let none expect benefit by the prayers of the church, or of their ministers or friends for them, who are capable of praying for themselves, and yet neglect it. The prayers of others for us must be desired, not to supersede, but to second, our own for ourselves. Happy the people that have praying princes, to whose prayers they may thus say, Amen.

_ _ 2. That God would protect his person, and preserve his life, in the perils of war: “The name of the God of Jacob defend thee, and set thee out of the reach of thy enemies.” (1.) “Let God by his providence keep thee safe, even the God who preserved Jacob in the days of his trouble.” David had mighty men for his guards, but he commits himself, and his people commit him, to the care of the almighty God. (2.) “Let God by his grace keep thee easy from the fear of evil. — Proverbs 18:10, The name of the Lord is a strong tower, into which the righteous run by faith, and are safe; let David be enabled to shelter himself in that strong tower, as he has done many a time.”

_ _ 3. That God would enable him to go on in his undertakings for the public good — that, in the day of battle, he would send him help out of the sanctuary, and strength out of Zion, not from common providence, but from the ark of the covenant and the peculiar favour God bears to his chosen people Israel. That he would help him, in performance of the promises and in answer to the prayers made in the sanctuary. Mercies out of the sanctuary are the sweetest mercies, such as are the tokens of God's peculiar love, the blessing of God, even our own God. Strength out of Zion is spiritual strength, strength in the soul, in the inward man, and that is what we should most desire both for ourselves and others in services and sufferings.

_ _ 4. That God would testify his gracious acceptance of the sacrifices he offered with his prayers, according to the law of that time, before he went out on a dangerous expedition: The Lord remember all thy offerings and accept thy burnt-sacrifices (Psalms 20:3), or turn them to ashes; that is, “The Lord give thee the victory and success which thou didst by prayer with sacrifices ask of him, and thereby give as full proof of his acceptance of the sacrifice as ever he did by kindling it with fire from heaven.” By this we may now know that God accepts our spiritual sacrifices, if by his Spirit he kindles in our souls a holy fire of pious and divine affection and with that makes our hearts burn within us.

_ _ 5. That God would crown all his enterprises and noble designs for the public welfare with the desired success (Psalms 20:4): The Lord grant thee according to thy own heart. This they might in faith pray for, because they knew David was a man after God's own heart, and would design nothing but what was pleasing to him. Those who make it their business to glorify God may expect that God will, in one way or other, gratify them: and those who walk in his counsel may promise themselves that he will fulfil theirs. Thou shalt devise a thing and it shall be established unto thee.

_ _ II. What confidence they had of an answer of peace to these petitions for themselves and their good king (Psalms 20:5): “We will rejoice in thy salvation. We that are subjects will rejoice in the preservation and prosperity of our prince;” or, rather, “In thy salvation, O God! in thy power and promise to save, will we rejoice; that is it which we depend upon now, and which, in the issue, we shall have occasion greatly to rejoice in.” Those that have their eye still upon the salvation of the Lord shall have their hearts filled with the joy of that salvation: In the name of our God will we set up our banners. 1. “We will wage war in his name; we will see that our cause be good and make his glory our end in every expedition; we will ask counsel at his mouth, and take him along with us; we will follow his direction, implore his aid and depend upon it, and refer the issue to him.” David went against Goliath in the name of the Lord of hosts, 1 Samuel 17:45. (2.) “We will celebrate our victories in his name. When we lift up our banners in triumph, and set up our trophies, it shall be in the name of our God; he shall have all the glory of our success, and no instrument shall have any part of the honour that is due to him.”

_ _ In singing this we ought to offer up to God our hearty good wishes to the good government we are under and to the prosperity of it. But we may look further; these prayers for David are prophecies concerning Christ the Son of David, and in him they were abundantly answered; he undertook the work of our redemption, and made war upon the powers of darkness. In the day of trouble, when his soul was exceedingly sorrowful, the Lord heard him, heard him in that he feared (Hebrews 5:7), sent him help out of the sanctuary, sent an angel from heaven to strengthen him, took cognizance of his offering when he made his soul an offering for sin, and accepted his burnt-sacrifice, turned it to ashes, the fire that should have fastened upon the sinner fastening upon the sacrifice, with which God was well pleased. And he granted him according to his own heart, made him to see of the travail of his soul, to his satisfaction, prospered his good pleasure in his hand, fulfilled all his petitions for himself and us; for him the Father heareth always and his intercession is ever prevailing.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Psalms 20:1

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

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Psalms 20:1

"To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David." The (a) LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the (b) name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

(a) By this kings are also admonished to call to God in their affairs.

(b) The virtue, power and grace of God.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
am 2968, bc 1036

hear:

Psalms 41:1 [[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] Blessed [is] he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
Psalms 46:1 [[To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.]] God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 50:5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
Psalms 60:11 Give us help from trouble: for vain [is] the help of man.
Psalms 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psalms 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Matthew 26:38-39 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. ... And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].
Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

name:

Psalms 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Psalms 83:18 That [men] may know that thou, whose name alone [is] JEHOVAH, [art] the most high over all the earth.
Exodus 34:5-7 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. ... Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Isaiah 50:10 Who [is] among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh [in] darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

God:

Psalms 46:7 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.
Psalms 46:11 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.
Genesis 32:27-29 And he said unto him, What [is] thy name? And he said, Jacob. ... And Jacob asked [him], and said, Tell [me], I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore [is] it [that] thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
Genesis 48:15-16 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, ... The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
Exodus 3:13-15 And Moses said unto God, Behold, [when] I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What [is] his name? what shall I say unto them? ... And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this [is] my name for ever, and this [is] my memorial unto all generations.

defend:
Heb. set thee on an high place,
Psalms 18:2 The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.
Psalms 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psalms 114:2 Judah was his sanctuary, [and] Israel his dominion.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Gn 32:27; 48:15. Ex 3:13; 34:5. Ps 9:10; 18:2; 41:1; 46:1, 7, 11; 50:5; 60:11; 83:18; 91:14, 15; 114:2; 138:7. Pv 18:10. Is 50:10. Jr 30:7. Mt 26:38. He 5:7.

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