Psalm 20:7-8

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 20:7

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 20:7

Some trust in chariots - The words of the original are short and emphatic: These in chariots; and these in horses; but we will record in the name of Jehovah our God. Or, as the Septuagint, μεγαλυνθησομεθα , "we shall be magnified." Or, as the Vulgate, invocabimus, "we shall invoke the name of the Lord." This and the following verse I suppose to be the words of David and his officers. And the mention of chariots and horses makes it likely that the war with the Ammonites and Syrians is that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 20:8

They are brought down and fallen - They were so confident of victory that they looked upon it as already gained. They who trusted in their horses and chariots are bowed down, and prostrated on the earth: they are all overthrown. But we are risen - We who have trusted in the name of Jehovah are raised up from all despondency; and we stand upright - we shall conquer, and go on to conquer. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 20:7

Verse 7 7.Some trust in chariots. I do not restrict this to the enemies of Israel, as is done by other interpreters. I am rather inclined to think that there is here a comparison between the people of God and all the rest of the world. We see how natural it is to almost all men to be the more courageous and confident the more they possess of riches, power and military forces. The people of God, therefore, here protest that they do not place their hope, as is the usual way with men, in their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 20:8

Verse 8 8.They are bowed down. It is probable that there is here pointed out, as it were with the finger, the enemies of Israel, whom God had overthrown, when they regarded no event as less likely to happen. There is contained in the words a tacit contrast between the cruel pride with which they had been lifted up for a time when they audaciously rushed forward to make havoc of all things on the one hand, and the oppression of the people of God on the other. The expression, to rise, is applied... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 20:1-9

The psalm divides into two portions—the first of five, and the second of four verses. In the first part, the people chant the whole. In the second, the high priest takes the word, and initiates the strain ( 2 Samuel 10:6 ), while the people join in afterwards ( 2 Samuel 10:7-9 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 20:1-9

Prayer for Israel's king when going forth to battle: a national sermon. In this psalm, as indeed in the rest, there are most suggestive verses, which might be elaborated into useful discourses. £ But in this division of the Commentary we refrain from dealing with isolated texts. We desire rather to show how the whole psalm may be used by the expositor of Scripture as the basis of a national sermon in a time of impending war. No doubt, as Mr. Spurgeon remarks, it has been used by court... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 20:1-9

Help from the sanctuary for the battle of life. A liturgical psalm, which was sung on behalf of the king, who was about to go forth to battle. It was chanted in alternate voices by the congregation and the priest or Levite who led the choir. As the king stands within the sanctuary, offering his sacrifice, the crowd of worshippers in the spacious courts lift up their voices in the prayer of the first five verses; then the answering chant of the priest or leader from Psalms 20:6 to 8;... read more

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