Spurgeon Verse Expositions - Psalms 20:1 - 20:9

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

Spurgeon Verse Expositions - Psalms 20:1 - 20:9


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

The 20th Psalm is a prayer for the King; not only for David or Solomon, but for “great David’s greater Son,” the true King of the Church. As if the Church saw Jesus going forth to his work, she offers up a prayer for him.

Psa_20:1. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

And so it came to pass; in that dread night in Gethsemane, Jesus “was heard in that he feared.” The God of wrestling Jacob heard the cries of his dear Son, and defended him, or supported him, as it is in the marginal reading.

Psa_20:2. Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

And you know how there came, from yonder heavenly Jerusalem, an angel strengthening him. The celestial messenger stood. at his side amidst the gloom of the olive garden, and brought him comfort and succor from God’s right hand.

His earnest prayers. his deepening groans,

Were heard before angelic thrones;

Amazement wrapt the sky:

‘Go, strengthen Christ!’ the Father said:

The astonished seraph bow’d his head

And left the realms on high.

Psa_20:3. Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

And so he did; there was never such acceptance given to any burnt sacrifice as was given to our Divine Lord when he covered up himself.

Psa_20:4. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel.

Is it not written, “Prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised”? Here, then, is a suitable prayer for you to present on behalf of the Lord Jesus,— that God would grant him according to his own heart, and fulfill all his counsel.

Psa_20:5. We will rejoice in thy salvation,

Come, brothers and sisters, let us make this verse true; and even if we have anything to sigh over, let us lay it aside while we now devote ourselves to the happy work of rejoicing in the glorious salvation of our Lord and King.

Psa_20:5-9. And in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

What a blessing it is that our King does hear us when we call upon him ! He is full of sympathy with all his people, for, in the time of his sojourn on earth, he often knew what it was to plead with his Father; and as God heard him then, so does he himself hear us now. All glory be to his blessed name!The 21st Psalm views the King as having ended his battle, and achieved his victory.

This exposition consisted of readings from PSALMS 20. and 21.



The 20th Psalm is a prayer for the king going forth to the conflict, — a prayer for David; better still, a prayer for great David’s greater Son. The 21st Psalm is a song of victory for the returning conqueror, it is a Te Deum, as the king has triumphed, and has returned from the conflict to enjoy the congratulations of his loyal subjects.

Psa_20:1. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; —

This is a prayer for David, a prayer for Jesus, and a prayer for every child of God: “Jehovah hear thee in the day of trouble.” What dost thou want? Remember that the Lord gives thee this promise, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” “The name of the God of Jacob defend thee.” The God that took care of Jacob when he slept with a stone for his pillow; the God that guarded him when he was a stranger in a strange land, and brought him home again; the God that wrestled with him at Jabbok, the God that made all things work for him, instead of against him, as he feared, — “the name” — the character, the attributes, the glory — “of the God of Jacob defend thee;”—

Psa_20:2. Send thee help from the sanctuary, —

“Help from the holy place, help from the sprinkled blood, help from the mercy-seat, help from the golden pot that had the manna, help from Aaron’s rod that budded, help from him that shone between the cherubim, — send thee help from the Holy of Holies,” —

Psa_20:2. And strengthen thee out of Zion; —

That is to say, with his own power, his own glory, which he manifests in the midst of his people.

Psa_20:3. Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

This God did to his dear Son, and this he is prepared to do to all his people. Whenever we give anything to the cause of God, we ought to do it with all that solemnity and all that willingness which was seen in God’s own people in the olden time; remembering that it is to him we bring it; and the chief point for our consideration is, “Will he accept it?”

Psa_20:4. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel.

We cannot pray this for everybody. We do pray it for Christ, and we pray it for the Lord’s sanctified people, that he may grant them the desire of their heart, and fulfill their counsel.

Psa_20:5. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions.

What a wonderful prayer this is! May it be granted to each of you! “The Lord fulfill all thy petitions.”

Psa_20:6-9. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD:

Or, “Hosanna.”

Psa_20:9. Let the king hear us when we call.

Now turn to the Psalm of victory. It corresponds very beautifully with the litany which we have just been reading.

This exposition consisted of readings from PSALMS 20. and 21.