Psalms 20:1

The church blesseth the king in his exploits: her confidence in God's succour.

To the chief musician, A Psalm of David.

Title.— לדוד מזמור למנצח lamnatseach mizmor ledavid. This Psalm is supposed to have been written for the service of the tabernacle, and to be sung in parts by the congregation and David himself, (See the note on Psalms 20:9.) in order to pray for his good success in some great expedition; which it is probable, from Psalms 20:7., was against the Ammonites and Syrians, who came with great numbers of horsemen and chariots to fight with him. See 2 Samuel 6:8. 1 Chronicles 19:7. Mudge observes, that the three first verses seem to have been spoken by the people, or priests of the temple rather, upon the king's coming to offer sacrifice, before he set out upon his expedition. The five next, not by David, but by the high-priest, upon seeing the sacrifice promise well, by being happily consumed to ashes, joined perhaps with the other usual signals of favour; which makes him break out afresh in the 6th verse; Now know I, &c. The last verse was sung by the people or priests as a chorus.

Psalms 20:1. Defend thee— Raise thee up. Houb.