Psalm 20
Purpose: To intercede on behalf of YHWH's anointed king before battle
Content: May YHWH answer you and give you victory. You can depend on him—he will answer!
Message: God is the only dependable source of victory.
Author: David
Videos
Overview Video
Poetic Features Video
Video forthcoming
Exegetical Issues Video
Video forthcoming
Overview
Translation
Click 'Expand' to the right to see our Close-but-Clear translation of Psalm 20.
- 1. For the director. A psalm by David.
- 2. May YHWH answer you on the day of trouble!
- May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
- 3. May he send you help from the sanctuary
- and sustain you from Zion!
- 4. May he remember every offering of yours
- and accept your burnt offering! Selah.
- 5. May he give you that which is according to your heart’s desire,
- and may he fulfil your whole plan!
- 6. May we shout for joy over your victory,
- and in the name of our God may we array ourselves with banners!
- May YHWH fulfil all your requests!
- 7. Now, I know that YHWH has granted victory to his anointed.
- He will answer him from his holy heaven
- with the saving mighty deeds of his right hand.
- 8. Some [boast] in chariotry and others [boast] in horses,
- but we will boast in the name of YHWH our God.
- 9. They have collapsed and fallen,
- but we have risen and stood upright.
- 10. YHWH, grant victory to the king!
- May he answer us on the day of our calling!
The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources.
For links to other translations of Psalm 20, click here.
Verse-by-Verse
Click the link to view all of Psalm 20 Verse-by-Verse, or click on an individual verse below.
Layer-by-Layer
Exegetical Issues
- The Text of Ps. 20:6b (Draft)
- The Verbal Semantics of הֹושִׁיעַ in Psalm 20:7 (Draft)
- The Division of Psalm 20:10 (Draft)
Guardian: Mari Strube