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Psalm 20[a]

Prayer for the King in Time of War

For the leader. A psalm of David.

I

The Lord answer you in time of distress;
    the name of the God of Jacob defend you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary,
    from Zion be your support.(A)
May he remember[b] your every offering,
    graciously accept your burnt offering,
Selah
Grant what is in your heart,
    fulfill your every plan.
May we shout for joy at your victory,[c]
    raise the banners in the name of our God.
    The Lord grant your every petition!

II

Now I know the Lord gives victory
    to his anointed.(B)
He will answer him from the holy heavens
    with a strong arm that brings victory.
Some rely on chariots, others on horses,
    but we on the name of the Lord our God.(C)
They collapse and fall,
    but we stand strong and firm.(D)
10 Lord, grant victory to the king;
    answer when we call upon you.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 20 The people pray for the king before battle. The people ask for divine help (Ps 20:2–6) and express confidence that such help will be given (Ps 20:7–10). A solemn assurance of divine help may well have been given between the two sections in the liturgy, something like the promises of Ps 12:6; 21:9–13. The final verse (Ps 20:10) echoes the opening verse.
  2. 20:4 Remember: God’s remembering implies readiness to act, cf. Gn 8:1; Ex 2:24.
  3. 20:6 Victory: the Hebrew root is often translated “salvation,” “to save,” but in military contexts it can have the specific meaning of “victory.”

Psalm 20[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;(A)
    may the name of the God of Jacob(B) protect you.(C)
May he send you help(D) from the sanctuary(E)
    and grant you support(F) from Zion.(G)
May he remember(H) all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.[b](I)
May he give you the desire of your heart(J)
    and make all your plans succeed.(K)
May we shout for joy(L) over your victory
    and lift up our banners(M) in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.(N)

Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.(O)
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.(P)
Some trust in chariots(Q) and some in horses,(R)
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.(S)
They are brought to their knees and fall,(T)
    but we rise up(U) and stand firm.(V)
Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us(W) when we call!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 20:1 In Hebrew texts 20:1-9 is numbered 20:2-10.
  2. Psalm 20:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.