Psalm 20:1-9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete 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,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 20:6-9

Here is, I. Holy David himself triumphing in the interest he had in the prayers of good people (Ps. 20:6): ?Now know I (I that pen the psalm know it) that the Lord saveth his anointed, because he hath stirred up the hearts of the seed of Jacob to pray for him.? Note, It bodes well to any prince and people, and may justly be taken as a happy presage, when God pours upon them a spirit of prayer. If he see us seeking him, he will be found of us; if he cause us to hope in his word, he will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:1

The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble ,.... All the days of Christ were days of trouble; he was a brother born for adversity; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with griefs; he had his own sorrows, and he bore the griefs of others; he was persecuted by Herod in his infancy; he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness; he was harassed by the Scribes and Pharisees continually; he was grieved at the hardness, impenitence, and unbelief, of that perverse and faithless generation of men, and was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:2

Send thee help from the sanctuary ,.... Meaning either from the tabernacle, the holy place, where was the ark, the symbol of the divine Presence; or rather heaven, the habitation of God's holiness unless the same is meant by it as by Zion, in the next clause, the church of God, from whence he sends the rod of his strength; and strengthen thee out of Zion ; and the "help" and "strength" prayed for are not to be understood of that assistance and support, which Christ, as man, had from his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:3

Remember all thy offerings ,.... The spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise which Christ, as the great High Priest, offers up for his people; or which they offer by him, and are acceptable to God through him, by virtue of the incense of his mediation; or the offering up of himself, which answers to, and is the body, the sum and substance, of all the offerings of the law; they were types of this, and what they could not do this did; and therefore it is expressed in the singular number in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:4

Grant thee according to thine own heart ,.... Which is to see his seed, the travail of his soul, and to have the pleasure of the Lord prosper in his hand; to have all his people called, preserved, and glorified; and fulfil all thy counsel ; whatever was agreed upon in the council and covenant of peace between him and his Father, relating to his own glory, and the salvation of his people. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:5

We will rejoice in thy salvation ,.... That is, "so will we", &c.; or "that we may" F16 So Ainsworth; נרננה "ovemus", Vatablus, Piscator, Michaelis; "cantemus", Gejerus. , &c.; or "let us"; these words, with what follow, point at the end of the church's requests, and what she resolved to do upon the accomplishment of the above things; for instance, she would rejoice in the salvation of the Messiah; meaning either the salvation and deliverance from death and the grave, and all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:6

Now know I that the Lord saveth his Anointed ,.... Not David, though he was the anointed of the God of Jacob, and was anointed with material oil to be king of Israel by Samuel, at the express order of God himself; but David is not here speaking of himself, nor the church of him, but of the Messiah; anointed by Jehovah king over his holy hill of Zion, with the oil of gladness, or the Holy Spirit. The church in prayer rises in her faith, and is strongly assured of the salvation of the Messiah;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:7

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses ,.... That is, in chariots and horses prepared for war; which, besides their use for carriage, did great annoyance to the enemy in battle, and were very terrible to them, and were greatly trusted in by those that possessed them, Deuteronomy 20:1 ; such chariots as were called "currus falcati", that had scythes at the sides of them, which being drove with fury among the infantry, cut them down as grass is mown with scythes; such the old... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:8

They are brought down and fallen ,.... These are they that rode in chariots and on horses, and trusted in them; who are brought down from their places of honour and safety; and fall, not into the hands of their enemies, and into a low and mean estate, but to the ground by death; as also such who, being like Capernaum, lifted up to heaven with their own outward attainments, and think to get thither by them, are brought down to hell, and fall into the pit of corruption; but we are risen,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 20:1-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 20:6-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 20:8

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