Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 20:5

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Psalms 20:5. We will rejoice in thy salvation — We expect help from thee alone; it is in thy cause we engage; and to thee, as our war is a just one, we consecrate our banners, inscribed with thy name. It is said that the Maccabees had their name from the inscription on their banners; which was taken from Exodus 15:11, מי כמכה באלם יהוה mi camochah baelim Yehovah, "Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?" The word being formed from the initial letters מ M, כ C, ב B, י I, מכבי Ma Ca B I, whence Maccabeus and Maccabees.

The words of this verse were spoken by David and his officers; immediately after which I suppose the high priest to have added, The Lord fulfil all thy petitions!

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Psalms 20-21 Before and after battle

These two psalms belong together as a pair. The former is a prayer for the king before he leads the people in battle; the latter, a thanksgiving after victory.
Addressing the king, the people call down God’s power and protection upon him (20:1-2). They pray that God will remember the king’s faithfulness and give him victory (3-5). The king replies that victory is certain, because he has God’s help. God’s power is greater than military might (6-8). In response, the people offer a further plea, brief and urgent, for God’s help (9).

The people join in thanksgiving to God that he has answered their prayer of the previous psalms (see Psalms 20:4). God has given the king his heart’s desire, enabling him to lead his people to victory (21:1-4). Although the king receives glory because of his victory, the glory is not self-centred. It is glory given him by God, in whom he trusts (5-7). Having offered thanks to God, the people turn and address the king. They assure him that through God’s power he will continue to have victory over all his enemies (8-12). King and people then unite in praise to God (13).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

“Jehovah answer thee in the day of trouble The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high; Send thee help from the sanctuary, And strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, And accept thy burnt-sacrifice; (Selah) Grant thee thy heart’s desire, And fulfill all thy counsel. We will triumph in thy salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners; Jehovah fulfill all thy petitions.”

The first person plural pronoun in Psalms 20:5 shows that it is the voice of the people who are vocalizing this petition in the sanctuary itself upon behalf of their king.

“In the day of trouble” (Psalms 20:1). Alas, it is the destiny of every child of God to confront the day of trouble. It is the eternal assignment for every Christian that he, “Must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). It was also true of David. This Syrian war was the occasion of his adultery with Bathsheba and of his heartless murder of her husband Uriah. With the possible exception of Absalom’s rebellion, this was perhaps the most terrible trouble David ever faced.

“Help from the sanctuary… out of Zion” (Psalms 20:2). This indicates that the ark of the covenant had now been transferred to Jerusalem, an event which is described in 2 Samuel 6:12-19. “This means that the psalm is pre-exilic.”The Layman’s Bible Commentary, p. 48.

“Remember all thy offerings… accept thy burnt-sacrifice” (Psalms 20:3). This might be a reference to the prayers and offerings of King David in days gone by; but as Ash wrote, “It more likely refers to the sacrifices being offered upon the occasion of the Psalm’s use.”Anthony L. Ash, p. 88. The word “Selah” inserted at this place in the psalm may be a reference to a pause in the ceremonies during which sacrifices were actually offered.

“Fulfill all thy counsel” (Psalms 20:4). “This means, `Make all thy plans to prosper.’“The Pulpit Commentary, p. 139.

“We will triumph in thy salvation” (Psalms 20:5). The blessing of God upon the king or ruler is automatically a blessing upon all of his subjects; and the people vocalizing this petition here acknowledge this principle.

“We will set up our banners” (Psalms 20:5). In all ages, the smaller units of an army have always cherished their own individual banners, tokens, or emblems; and this reference is to the fact that the children of Israel here promised to acknowledge their allegiance to God in the various standards that would be elevated by the various tribes. As Baigent accurately noted, these banners, “Are a reference to tribal standards displayed when camping or marching.”The New Layman’s Bible Commentary, p. 613.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

We will rejoice in thy salvation - According to the idea of the psalm suggested in the introduction, this is a response of the king and those associated with him in going forth to battle. It expresses the joy which they would have in the expected deliverance from danger, and their conviction that through his strength they would be able to obtain it. The word salvation here means deliverance; to wit, from the anticipated danger. The phrase implies that God would interpose to save them; it expresses alike their confidence in that, and the fact that such a deliverance would fill their hearts with joy and rejoicing.

And in the name of our God - This indicates a sense of dependence on God, and also that the enterprise undertaken was in order to promote his honor and glory. It was not in their own strength, nor was it to promote the purposes of conquest and the ends of ambition; it was that God might be honored, and it was with confidence of success derived from his anticipated aid.

We will set up our banners - We will erect our standards; or, as we should say, we will unfurl our flag. All people, when they go to war, have standards or banners, whether flags or some other ensigns, around which they rally; which they follow; under which they fight; and which they feel bound to defend. Each nation has its own standard; but it is difficult to determine what precisely was the form of the standards used among the ancient Hebrews. Military standards, however, were early used (compare Numbers 1:52; Numbers 2:2-3, Numbers 2:10, Numbers 2:18, Numbers 2:25; Numbers 10:14, Numbers 10:25), and indeed were necessary whenever armies were mustered for war, For the forms of ancient standards, see the article in Kitto’s Cyclopaedia of the Bible, “Standards.”

The Lord fulfil all thy petitions - The prayers offered in connection with the sacrifice referred to in Psalms 20:3 (compare Psalms 20:4). This, according to the view suggested in the introduction, is the response of the people, expressing their desire that the king might be successful in what he had undertaken, and that the prayers which had been offered for success might be answered.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

5.That we may rejoice in thy salvation. This verse may be explained in two other ways, besides the sense it bears according to the translation which I have given. Some consider it to be a prayer, as if it had been said, Lord, make us to rejoice. Others think that the faithful, after having finished their prayer, encourage themselves to entertain good hope; ⁽⁴⁷⁴⁾ or rather, being already inspired with an assured hope of success, they begin to sing, so to speak, of the victory, even as it is usual with David to intermingle such kind of rejoicings with his prayers, thereby to stir up himself to continue with the more alacrity in prayer. But upon considering the whole more carefully, my opinion is, that what is meant to be expressed is the effect or fruit which would result from the bestowment of the grace and favor of God, for which the people prayed; and, therefore, I have thought it necessary to supply the particle that, in the beginning of the verse. The faithful, as an argument to obtain the favor of God towards their king, set forth the joy which they would all experience in common, in seeing it exercised towards him, and the thanksgiving which they would with one accord render for it. The import of their language is, It is not for the preservation and welfare of one man that we are solicitous; it is for the safety and well-being of the whole Church. The expression, In thy salvation, may be referred to God as well as to the king; for the salvation which God bestows is often called the salvation of God; but the context requires that it should be rather understood of the king. The people lived “under the shadow of the king,” to use the words of Jeremiah, (Lamentations 4:20;) and, therefore, the faithful now testify, that as long as he is safe and in prosperity, they will all be joyful and happy. At the same time, to distinguish their joy from the heathen dancings and rejoicings, they declare that they will set up their banners in the name of God; for the Hebrew word דגל, dagal, here used, means to set or lift up a banner. The meaning is, that the faithful, in grateful acknowledgement of the grace of God, will celebrate his praises and triumph in his name.

(474) Meaning, “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God will we set up our banners.”

Smith's Bible Commentary

Psalms 20:1-9 is to the chief musician also. It is a psalm of David.

The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble ( Psalms 20:1 );

Actually, Jehovah, "May Jehovah hear you in the day of trouble."

the name of the God of Jacob [which is Jehovah or Yahweh] defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice ( Psalms 20:1-3 );

In other words, "May the Lord hear you, the name of the Lord, or Jehovah, the name of the God of Jacob defend you. May He send help and strengthen you, and remember, or take notice of all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifices."

May he grant thee according to your own heart [that is, the desires of your heart], and fulfill all of your counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God [Yahweh or Jehovah] we will set up our banners: for Jehovah fulfill all your requests. Now know I that Jehovah saves his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, some in horses: but we will remember the name of Jehovah our God. They are brought down [those that are trusting in horses and chariots], and they are fallen: but [because we have trusted in the name of the Lord,] we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call ( Psalms 20:4-9 ). "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

1. The intercession of the people 20:1-5

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

Psalms 20

Before a battle with an enemy, David found encouragement in the intercession of his people to trust God for victory.

"This psalm gives a good example of what it means to intercede for another." [Note: Carl Armerding, Psalms in a Minor Key, p. 52.]

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

The people anticipated victory in the upcoming battle. When the soldiers went out to war they marched according to their tribes, and each tribe had its own distinctive banner (cf. Numbers 2:2).

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

We will rejoice in thy salvation,.... That is, "so will we", c. or "that we may" p, c. or "let us" these words, with what follow, point at the end of the church's requests, and what she resolved to do upon the accomplishment of the above things for instance, she would rejoice in the salvation of the Messiah; meaning either the salvation and deliverance from death and the grave, and all other enemies, which he himself is possessed of, and which enters into, and is the occasion of the joy of his people; for not his sufferings and death only, but chiefly his resurrection from the dead, session at God's right hand, and intercession for them, cause the triumph of faith in him, and further the joy of it, Romans 8:33; or else the salvation he is the author of, which being so great, so suitable, so complete and perfect, and an everlasting one; is matter of joy to all sensible of their need of it, and who have a comfortable hope of interest in it;

and in the name of our God we will set up [our] banners; either as a preparation for war; see Jeremiah 51:27; so when Caesar q set up his banner, it was a sign to his soldiers to run to their arms and prepare to fight; and then the sense is, putting our trust in the Lord, relying on his strength, and not on our own, we will cheerfully and courageously engage with all his and our enemies, sin, Satan, and the world; as good soldiers of Christ, we will endure hardness, fight his battles under the banners of the Lord of hosts, in whose service we are enlisted; or as a sign of victory, when standards were set up, and flags hung out r; see Jeremiah 50:2; and then the meaning is, Christ, the great Captain of our salvation, having obtained a complete victory over all enemies, and made us more than conquerors thereby, we will set up our banners, hang out the flag, and in his name triumph over sin, Satan, the world, death, and hell;

the Lord fulfil all thy petitions: the same as in Psalms 20:4; this is put here to show that the church will be in such a frame as before described, when the Lord shall have fulfilled all the petitions of his Anointed; of which she had a full assurance, as appears from the following words.

p So Ainsworth; נרננה "ovemus", Vatablus, Piscator, Michaelis; "cantemus", Gejerus. q De Bello Gallico, l. 2. c. 20. r Schindler. Pentaglott. col. 1126.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

To the chief musician. A psalm of David.

      1 The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;   2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;   3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.   4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.   5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

      This prayer for David is entitled a psalm of David; nor was it any absurdity at all for him who was divinely inspired to draw up a directory, or form of prayer, to be used in the congregation for himself and those in authority under him; nay it is very proper for those who desire the prayers of their friends to tell them particularly what they would have to be asked of God for them. Note, Even great and good men, and those that know ever so well how to pray for themselves, must not despise, but earnestly desire, the prayers of others for them, even those that are their inferiors in all respects. Paul often begged of his friends to pray for him. Magistrates and those in power ought to esteem and encourage praying people, to reckon them their strength (Zechariah 12:5; Zechariah 12:10), and to do what they can for them, that they may have an interest in their prayers and may do nothing to forfeit it. Now observe here,

      I. What it is that they are taught to ask of God for the king.

      1. That God would answer his prayers: The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble (Psalms 20:1; Psalms 20:1), and the Lord fulfil all thy petitions,Psalms 20:5; Psalms 20:5. Note, (1.) Even the greatest of men may be much in trouble. It was often a day of trouble with David himself, of disappointment and distress, of treading down and of perplexity. Neither the crown on his head nor the grace in his heart would exempt him from the trouble. (2.) Even the greatest of men must be much in prayer. David, though a man of business, a man of war, was constant to his devotions; though he had prophets, and priests, and many good people among his subjects, to pray for him, he did not think that excused him from praying for himself. Let none expect benefit by the prayers of the church, or of their ministers or friends for them, who are capable of praying for themselves, and yet neglect it. The prayers of others for us must be desired, not to supersede, but to second, our own for ourselves. Happy the people that have praying princes, to whose prayers they may thus say, Amen.

      2. That God would protect his person, and preserve his life, in the perils of war: "The name of the God of Jacob defend thee, and set thee out of the reach of thy enemies." (1.) "Let God by his providence keep thee safe, even the God who preserved Jacob in the days of his trouble." David had mighty men for his guards, but he commits himself, and his people commit him, to the care of the almighty God. (2.) "Let God by his grace keep thee easy from the fear of evil.-- Proverbs 18:10, The name of the Lord is a strong tower, into which the righteous run by faith, and are safe; let David be enabled to shelter himself in that strong tower, as he has done many a time."

      3. That God would enable him to go on in his undertakings for the public good--that, in the day of battle, he would send him help out of the sanctuary, and strength out of Zion, not from common providence, but from the ark of the covenant and the peculiar favour God bears to his chosen people Israel. That he would help him, in performance of the promises and in answer to the prayers made in the sanctuary. Mercies out of the sanctuary are the sweetest mercies, such as are the tokens of God's peculiar love, the blessing of God, even our own God. Strength out of Zion is spiritual strength, strength in the soul, in the inward man, and that is what we should most desire both for ourselves and others in services and sufferings.

      4. That God would testify his gracious acceptance of the sacrifices he offered with his prayers, according to the law of that time, before he went out on a dangerous expedition: The Lord remember all thy offerings and accept thy burnt-sacrifices (Psalms 20:3; Psalms 20:3), or turn them to ashes; that is, "The Lord give thee the victory and success which thou didst by prayer with sacrifices ask of him, and thereby give as full proof of his acceptance of the sacrifice as ever he did by kindling it with fire from heaven." By this we may now know that God accepts our spiritual sacrifices, if by his Spirit he kindles in our souls a holy fire of pious and divine affection and with that makes our hearts burn within us.

      5. That God would crown all his enterprises and noble designs for the public welfare with the desired success (Psalms 20:4; Psalms 20:4): The Lord grant thee according to thy own heart. This they might in faith pray for, because they knew David was a man after God's own heart, and would design nothing but what was pleasing to him. Those who make it their business to glorify God may expect that God will, in one way or other, gratify them: and those who walk in his counsel may promise themselves that he will fulfil theirs. Thou shalt devise a thing and it shall be established unto thee.

      II. What confidence they had of an answer of peace to these petitions for themselves and their good king (Psalms 20:5; Psalms 20:5): "We will rejoice in thy salvation. We that are subjects will rejoice in the preservation and prosperity of our prince;" or, rather, "In thy salvation, O God! in thy power and promise to save, will we rejoice; that is it which we depend upon now, and which, in the issue, we shall have occasion greatly to rejoice in." Those that have their eye still upon the salvation of the Lord shall have their hearts filled with the joy of that salvation: In the name of our God will we set up our banners. 1. "We will wage war in his name; we will see that our cause be good and make his glory our end in every expedition; we will ask counsel at his mouth, and take him along with us; we will follow his direction, implore his aid and depend upon it, and refer the issue to him." David went against Goliath in the name of the Lord of hosts, 1 Samuel 17:45. (2.) "We will celebrate our victories in his name. When we lift up our banners in triumph, and set up our trophies, it shall be in the name of our God; he shall have all the glory of our success, and no instrument shall have any part of the honour that is due to him."

      In singing this we ought to offer up to God our hearty good wishes to the good government we are under and to the prosperity of it. But we may look further; these prayers for David are prophecies concerning Christ the Son of David, and in him they were abundantly answered; he undertook the work of our redemption, and made war upon the powers of darkness. In the day of trouble, when his soul was exceedingly sorrowful, the Lord heard him, heard him in that he feared (Hebrews 5:7), sent him help out of the sanctuary, sent an angel from heaven to strengthen him, took cognizance of his offering when he made his soul an offering for sin, and accepted his burnt-sacrifice, turned it to ashes, the fire that should have fastened upon the sinner fastening upon the sacrifice, with which God was well pleased. And he granted him according to his own heart, made him to see of the travail of his soul, to his satisfaction, prospered his good pleasure in his hand, fulfilled all his petitions for himself and us; for him the Father heareth always and his intercession is ever prevailing.