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 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.

\\20:1\\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.

\\20:2\\Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.

\\20:3\\Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt-sacrifice. Selah.

\\20:4\\Grant thee according to thy own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel.

\\20:5\\We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions.

\\20:6\\Now I know that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

\\20:7\\Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

\\20:8\\They are brought down and fallen: but we are raised, and stand upright.

\\20:9\\Save, LORD: let the king hear us when 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/wbt/isaiah/chapter-31/1">Isaiah 31:1</a>, closing with the cry 'Save, LORD' before the victory song of <a href="/bible/wbt/psalms/chapter-21">Psalms 21</a>.