Psalms 20: Trusting the Name of the LORD

The people ask God to grant victory to their anointed king.

Psalms 20: A Prayer for the King in Battle

Following the personal praise of Psalms 19, this chapter is a communal prayer offered on behalf of the king, asking the LORD to hear him in the day of trouble and remember his offerings and sacrifices before battle.


To him that excelleth. A Psalme of Dauid. The Lord heare thee in the day of trouble: the name of ye God of Iaakob defend thee:

Send thee helpe from the Sanctuarie, and strengthen thee out of Zion.

Let him remember all thine offerings, and turne thy burnt offerings into asshes. Selah:

And graunt thee according to thine heart, and fulfill all thy purpose:

That we may reioyce in thy saluation, and set vp the banner in the Name of our God, when the Lord shall performe all thy petitions.

Now know I that the Lord will helpe his anointed, and will heare him from his Sanctuarie, by the mightie helpe of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of ye Lord our God.

They are brought downe and fallen, but we are risen, and stand vpright.

Saue Lord: let the King heare vs in the day that we call.

Its most quoted line contrasts trust in chariots and horses with trust in the name of the LORD, an idea reinforced in <a href="/bible/geneva1599/isaiah/chapter-31/1">Isaiah 31:1</a>, closing with the cry 'Save, LORD' before the victory song of <a href="/bible/geneva1599/psalms/chapter-21">Psalms 21</a>.