1-timothy-2:1-2,psalm-20:1-2

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 20:1

The Lord hear thee - David had already offered the sacrifice and prayed. The people implore God to succor him in the day of trouble; of both personal and national danger. The name of the God of Jacob - This refers to Jacob's wrestling with the Angel; Genesis 32:24 ; (note), etc. And who was this Angel? Evidently none other than the Angel of the Covenant, the Lord Jesus, in whom was the name of God, the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He was the God of Jacob, who blessed Jacob, and gave... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 20:2

Send thee help from the sanctuary - This was the place where God recorded his name; the place where he was to be sought, and the place where he manifested himself. He dwelt between the cherubim over the mercyseat. He is now in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. This is the true sanctuary where God must be sought. Strengthen thee out of Zion - The temple or tabernacle where his prayers and sacrifices were to be offered. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 20:1

Verse 1 The inscription shows that the psalm was composed by David; but though he was its author, there is no absurdity in his speaking of himself in the person of others. The office of a prophet having been committed to him, he with great propriety prepared this as a form of prayer for the use of the faithful. In doing this, his object was not so much to commend his own person, by authoritatively issuing a royal ordinance enjoining upon the people the use of this prayer, as to show, in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 20:2

Verse 2 2.May he send thee help. That is to say, may he succor thee out of mount Sion, where he commanded the ark of the covenant to be placed, and chose for himself a dwelling-place. The weakness of the flesh will not suffer men to soar up to heaven, and, therefore, God comes down to meet them, and by the external means of grace shows that he is near them. Thus the ark of the covenant was to his ancient people a pledge of his presence, and the sanctuary an image of heaven. But as God, by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 20:1

The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble . The people intercede for their king in a "clay of trouble" or "distress," when danger impends, and he is about to affront it. They are made to ask, first of all, that God will hear the king's prayers, which are no doubt being silently offered while they pray aloud . The Name of the God of Jacob defend thee . (On the force of the expression, "the Name of God," see the comment upon Psalms 7:17 .) "Jacob's God"—a favourite expression with David—is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 20:1

The day of trouble. Such a day comes sooner or later to all. Nations have their "day of trouble," when they are visited with pestilence, famine, or war, or torn by internal strifes. Individuals also have their "day of trouble" ( Job 5:6 , Job 5:7 ). Trouble is a test. It shows what manner of persons we are. Happy are we, if, like the king and people of this psalm, trouble brings us nearer to God and to one another in love and service! The day of trouble should— I. DRIVE THE ... 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

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