Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 20

1. THe LORD hear thee in the day of trouble : the Name of the God of Iacob defend thee.

In this time of War and Danger.

(i. e) God himself; For Names are oft put for Persons, as Numb. 26. 53. A[illegible: 1+ letters]. 1. 15. and 4. 12. and the Name of God, for God, as Deut. 28. 58. Ne[illegible: 1+ letters]. 9. 5. Psal. 44. 98. 20. Prov. 18. 10. and oft elsewhere. He calls him the God of Iacob, or Israel, partly to distinguish him from false God's; and partly as an Argument to enforce the Prayer, because God had made a League, or Covenant with Iacob and his Posterity, who are called by the Name of Iacob, Psal. 147. 19, 20. Isa. 44. 2. and whose cause David was now pleading against their Enemies.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1+ letters]t [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] high [illegible: 1 word].

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

Either, 1. From Heaven, as it is expressed, v. 6. Or rather, 2. From the Tabernacle in Sion, as it is explained in the next Words, where the Ark then was; towards which the Israelites directed their Prayers, and from which God heard and answered them.

Marginal references: Heb. thy help; Heb. support thee.

3. Remember all thy offerings , and accept thy burnt-sacrifice, S[illegible: 1+ letters]lah.

To wit, with acceptance, as it follows.

Offered either by th[illegible: 1+ letters]e, at thy entrance upon this Expedition: Or by us thy People on thy behalf, or by thine appointment.

Heb. turn to Ashes, by fire sent from Heaven▪ in token of his acceptance, as was usual; of which see Levit. 9. 24. 1 Kings 18. 38.

Marginal references: Heb. turn to Ashes; Or, mak[illegible: 1+ letters] fat.

4. Grant thee according to thine own heart , and fulfil all thy counsels .

(i. e.) That good success which thy Heart desires▪

Thy present design for God, and for his and thy People.

5. We will rejoyce in thy salvation, and in the Name of our God we will set up our banners : the LORD fulfil all thy Petitions.

Hereby they shew their Confidence in God, and their assurance of the Victory.

(i. e.) To the Honour of God, as the Conqueror.

In way of Triumph; which among other ways was celebrated by the setting up of Banners or Trophies.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 17. 15. [illegible: 1 word] ▪ [illegible: 1+ letters]4.

6. 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.

We are already sure of Victory by the Consideration of God's power and faithfulness and Love to David, and to his People. They speak as one Person, because they were united, and Unanimous in this Prayer.

(i. e.) Will certainly save.

Our Lord and King.

p This shews how God will hear him, even by saving him with a strong hand.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] the [illegible: 1 word] of his [illegible: 1 word] ▪; [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]he [illegible: 1 word] of the [illegible: 1 word] of his [illegible: 1 word].

7. Some trust in chariots, and some in Horses: but we will remember the Name of the LORD our God.

Or, Remember; which may better be supplied out of the next Clause.

Or, make mention of, to wit, so as to boast of it, or trust in it; for such things men oft remember or mention.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] ▪ 33. 16. [illegible: 1 word] ▪ [illegible: 1 word]. 31. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1+ letters].

8. They are brought down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright .

From their Horses and Chariots, to which they trusted. Heb. They bowed down, as being unable to stand longer because of their mortal Wounds. Comp. Iudg. 5. 27.

Stand firmly upon our Legs, and keep the field, as Conquerers use to do.

9. Save, LORD, let the king hear us when we call.

Either, 1[illegible: 1+ letters] David. So the Sence is, O Lord▪ preserve and assist the King, that when we are distressed and Cry to him for Help, he may be able and ready to Help us, Or 2. God, the Supream Monarch, the King of Kings, and in a peculiar manner the King of Israel, hear and answer us, when we pray for our King and People. And for the change of Persons in this Verse, nothing is more common. Or 3. Christ, called the King both in the Old and New Testament. But this Verse is by divers learned Men rendred thus, Lord save the King. He (i. e. the Lord) will hear us (Or, Let him hear us; For the future Tense is oft put Imperatively:) When we Cry, Or call upon him. And this version is very agreeable to the Hebrew Text. For whereas the only ground of the other Translation, i[illegible: 1+ letters], that the Hebrew Accent called Athnoch is put under the word save, which is supposed to stop the Sence there, it is sufficiently evident, that Athnoch doth not always make such a Distinction in these Poetical Books, as appears from Psal. 11. 5. and 17. 10. and 19. 4. and 22. 31. and therefore this may seem to be the better Version.