DAWN

     Explanation: Psalm 20 contains the mutual encouragements of David to his people and of the people to David. Some commentators place it at the time of the Syrian wars (2 Samuel 10:6-8; 1 Chronicles 19:7). The two paintings above are of Christian knights with their banners, with reference to the banners which the men of David's time raised to the Lord (verse 5).

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 2 Samuel 10:6-8; 1 Chronicles 19:7. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 20 - #1. Psalm 20 - #2. Psalm 20 - #3. ]

     David begins this Psalm by praying that his audience of readers and hearers would be blessed by the LORD. He asks that the LORD would hear them individually, (as indicated by the use of singular pronoun suffixes in the Hebrew), in the day of trouble and defend them. He asks that God would send them help and strengthen them. He asks that the LORD would remember all of their offerings and sacrifices. And he asks that the LORD would give them the desires of their heart (1-4). His friends respond by telling God that they will rejoice in the LORD's salvation and will set up their banners (engage in war) in the LORD' name. And, echoing David's prayer for them, they ask that the LORD would cause all of David's plans to prosper (5). Then David, speaking for the group and for himself, expresses his confidence that the LORD will save his anointed (a reference to himself as the anointed king) and will hear him, and save him. He says that some trust in chariots and horses, but they will remember the LORD. They who trust in chariots and horses are fallen; but they who trust in the LORD are risen and stand. His final petition, echoing David's opening blessing, is "Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call"(6-9).

A Psalm of David.

¹The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble;
the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
² Send thee help from the sanctuary,
and strengthen thee out of Zion;
³ Remember all thy offerings,
and accept thy burnt sacrifice¹ ² ³; Selah.
⁴ Grant thee according to thine own heart,
and fulfil all thy counsel.

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

⁶ Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed;
he will hear him from his holy heaven
with the saving strength of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots,
and some in horses:
but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
⁸ They are brought down and fallen:
but we are risen, and stand upright.
⁹ Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

¹ To the chief Musician, [Transposed From Psalm 21:1] *

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]