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.


> May Yahweh answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high,

Send you help from the sanctuary, Grant you support from Zion,

Remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah.

May He grant you your heart's desire, And fulfill all your counsel.

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

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

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

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

Save, Yahweh; Let the King answer 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/web/isaiah/chapter-31/1">Isaiah 31:1</a>, closing with the cry 'Save, LORD' before the victory song of <a href="/bible/web/psalms/chapter-21">Psalms 21</a>.