The Psalms of David in Metre

 Back to the 1650 Scottish Psalter

 

Psalm 20

Probably this psalm was composed, to be a prayer for success in some particular expedition of David’s wars. Here, (1.) The people pray for their king, that God would grant him his requests; protect, assist, and strengthen him in his work; accept his oblations, and succeed his projects for the public welfare, ver. 1-4. (2.) They triumph in God as their only strength and deliverer, in whom they shall be more than conquerors, ver. 5-6.

Let me not forget Jesus, for whom prayer is made continually; Jesus, who shall daily be praised, and whom the Father heareth always; accepts his sacrifice, and crowns him with glory and honour. And let no creature, but Jehovah as my God in Christ, be the ground and the object of all my faith and expectation.

1 Jehovah hear thee in the day
when trouble he doth send:
And let the name of Jacob’s God
thee from all ill defend.

2 O let him help send from above,
out of his sanctuary:
From Zion, his own holy hill,
let him give strength to thee.

3 Let him remember all thy gifts,
accept thy sacrifice:
4 Grant thee thine heart’s wish, and fulfill
thy thoughts and counsel wise.

5 In thy salvation we will joy;
in our God’s name we will
Display our banners: and the Lord
thy prayers all fulfill.

6 Now know I God his king doth save:
he from his holy heav’n
Will hear him, with the saving strength
by his own right hand giv’n.

7 In chariots some put confidence,
some horses trust upon:
But we remember will the name
of our Lord God alone.

8 We rise, and upright stand, when they
are bowed down, and fall.
9 Deliver, Lord; and let the King
us hear, when we do call.