8 They -- they have bowed and have fallen, And we have risen and station ourselves upright.
Evil doth put to death the wicked, And those hating the righteous are desolate. Jehovah redeemeth the soul of His servants, And none trusting in Him are desolate!
O the happiness of him Who hath the God of Jacob for his help, His hope `is' on Jehovah his God, Making the heavens and earth, The sea and all that `is' in them, Who is keeping truth to the age, Doing judgment for the oppressed, Giving bread to the hungry. Jehovah is loosing the prisoners, Jehovah is opening (the eyes of) the blind, Jehovah is raising the bowed down, Jehovah is loving the righteous, Jehovah is preserving the strangers, The fatherless and widow He causeth to stand, And the way of the wicked He turneth upside down.
Blessed `is' the man who trusteth in Jehovah, And whose confidence hath been Jehovah. And hath been as a tree planted by waters, And by a rivulet he sendeth forth his roots, And he doth not see when heat cometh, And his leaf hath been green, And in a year of dearth he is not sorrowful, Nor doth he cease from making fruit.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 20
Commentary on Psalms 20 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 20
Ps 20:1-9. David probably composed this Psalm to express the prayers of the pious for his success as at once the head of the Church and nation. Like other compositions of which David in such relations is the subject, its sentiments have a permanent value—the prosperity of Christ's kingdom being involved, as well as typified, in that of Israel and its king.
1. hear thee—graciously (Ps 4:1).
name of—or manifested perfections, as power, wisdom, &c.
defend thee—set thee on high from danger (Ps 9:9; 18:3).
2. strengthen thee—sustain in conflict; even physical benefits may be included, as courage for war, &c., as such may proceed from a sense of divine favor, secured in the use of spiritual privileges.
3. all thy offerings—or gifts, vegetable offerings.
accept—literally, "turn to ashes" (compare 1Ki 18:38).
Selah—(See on Ps 3:2).
4. thy counsel—or plan.
5. salvation—that wrought and experienced by him.
set up our banners—(Nu 2:3, 10). In usual sense, or, as some render, "may we be made great."
6. He speaks as if suddenly assured of a hearing.
his anointed—not only David personally, but as the specially appointed head of His Church.
his holy heaven—or, literally, "the heavens of His holiness," where He resides (Ps 2:6; 11:4).
saving … hand—His power which brings salvation.
7. remember—or cause to remember, mention thankfully (1Sa 17:45; Ps 33:16).
8. They—that is, who trust in horses, &c.
stand upright—literally, "we have straightened ourselves up from our distress and fears."
9. let the king hear—as God's representative, delivered to deliver. Perhaps a better sense is, "Lord, save the king; hear us when we call," or pray.