John Trapp on Psalms 20:1

PSAL. XX.

A Pſalm of David] Or, Concerning David; ſo Kimchi. Or for and on the behalf of David; ſo Aben-Ezra. David, as a Prophet, dictated this form of prayer to bee made by the people for himſelf, their King; when hee went forth to fight their battels, probably, againſt the Ammonites and Syrians; or when hee fled from Abſolom, and was to help them from the City, by his prayers, 2 Sam. 18.3. as Aben-Ezra thinketh.

Verſ. 1. The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble] Great men, though gracious, as David, have their diſtreſſes, and muſt pray for themſelves then; not truſting to the prayers of others for them; as did that prophane Earl of Weſtmorland, Camden. who ſaid, that hee had no need to pray, ſith hee had Tenants enough to pray for him.

The name of the God of Jacob defend thee] Heb. ſet thee in an high place, ſuch as Gods name is, Prov. 18.10. the righteous run thereto and are ſafe, as in a Tower of braſſe, or Town of war. By the name of God is meant, Deus nominatiſſimus, the moſt renowned God. ſaith Junius, and worthy to bee praiſed, as Pſal. 18.3. And hee is called the God of Jacob here, ſaith Another; firſt, becauſe Jacob was once in the like diſtreſſe, Gen. 32.6, 7. ſecondly, becauſe hee prayed to the like purpoſe, Gen. 35.3. thirdly, becauſe hee prevailed with God as a Prince; and there God ſpake with us, Hoſ. 12.5. fourthly, becauſe God of Jacob is the ſame with God of Iſrael; and ſo the Covenant is pleaded.