The 20th and 21st Psalms are closely related in structure and contents. Both are liturgical Psalms: the first is an intercession, the second a thanksgiving. In both the king, the representative of Jehovah and the representative of the people, is the prominent figure; and the salvation or victory whi... [ Continue Reading ]
_hear thee_ R.V., answer thee, and so in Psalms 20:6_; Psalms 20:9_. _the day of trouble_ Or _distress_, when _adversaries_(a cognate word) press him hard. The impending campaign is specially, though not exclusively, meant. Cp. Psalms 46:1; Numbers 10:9. _The name_&c. May the God of Jacob prove Him... [ Continue Reading ]
The people's prayer for their king's success.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the sanctuary_ Here, as the parallel _out of Zion_shews, the earthly sanctuary is meant. See notes on Psalms 3:4; Psalms 14:7; and cp. Psalms 20:6. _strengthen_ Lit. _support_; the same word as _hath holden me up_in Psalms 18:35.... [ Continue Reading ]
May He remember all the offerings by which in past time the king has expressed his self-devotion and his dependence on Jehovah, and accept those by which he is now consecrating the present expedition. For sacrifice before a war see 1 Samuel 7:9-10; 1 Samuel 13:9-12; and cp. the phrase to _sanctify a... [ Continue Reading ]
_according to thine own heart_ The literal rendering of the Heb. The R.V. restores the more graceful rendering of P.B.V., _thy heart's desire_; but the expression is a different one from that in Psalms 21:2. _counsel_ In the war. Cp. 2 Samuel 16:20; 2 Kings 18:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
The prayer is still continued. _Let us_(or, _That we may) shout for joy at thy salvation_; Jehovah Himself was Israel's Saviour (Psalms 21:1; 1 Samuel 10:19), and the king was His chosen instrument for saving His people (2 Samuel 3:18). _set up our banners_ Rather, wave them in token of triumph, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now know I_ Cp. Psalms 56:9; Psalms 135:5. _saveth_ Lit., _hath saved_: i.e. _will surely save_. To faith the victory is already won. Cp. the tenses in Psalms 20:8, and see Appendix, Note IV. _his anointed_ The title which expresses the king's consecration to Jehovah is the pledge of his right to... [ Continue Reading ]
The sacrifice has been offered. Faith regards it as accepted, and in its acceptance sees the pledge of victory. The voice of a priest, or prophet, or possibly of the king himself, is now heard proclaiming this confidence (Psalms 20:6), and professing for himself and the people their trust in Jehovah... [ Continue Reading ]
_Some_ The heathen enemy, like Pharaoh (Exodus 14), and Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:23); not here heathenish Israelites, as in Isaiah 31:1-3. _But we will remember the name_ R.V., But we will make mention of the name &c. This shall be our watchword and our strength. Cp. Judges 7:18; 1 Samuel 17:45; 2 Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_They are brought down_ R.V., They are bowed down; the same word as in Psalms 18:39. It is still the language of faith, anticipating the entire subjugation of the enemy, and the triumph of Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Concluding prayer of the people. The rendering of A.V. and R.V. follows the punctuation of the Massoretic text. The prayer _for_the earthly king is addressed _to_the heavenly King whose representative he is. But Jehovah is not elsewhere styled absolutely _the King_(Psalms 145:1 and Isaiah 6:5 are n... [ Continue Reading ]