Psalms
Chapter 20
This psalm is a prayer for the king before he goes into battle. The people ask God to answer him, to remember his offerings, and to give him what he plans. Then one voice says he is sure God saves the king he has chosen. The psalm ends by saying that armies trust in chariots and horses, but these people trust in God's name.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
1May the LORD answer you when trouble comes. May the God that Jacob worshiped keep you safe.
2Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
2May he send you help from his holy house. May he give you strength from Zion, his city.
3Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
3May he remember every gift you brought him, and be pleased with the animals you burned on his altar. Selah.
"Selah" is a Hebrew word that shows up all through the Psalms. Nobody is certain what it meant. It may have been a music mark, like a pause or a place for the instruments to play.
4Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
4May he give you what your heart wants. May he make all your plans work out.
5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
5We will shout for joy when you win. We will lift up flags in the name of our God. May the LORD give you all you ask for.
6Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
6Now I know the LORD rescues the king he chose. He answers him from heaven, where he lives, and saves him with his strong right hand.
"His anointed" means the king. Kings were chosen by having oil poured on their heads, so "anointed one" became a way of saying "the king God picked."
7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
7Some people trust in war chariots, and some trust in horses. But we will trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
8They are knocked down and fall. But we get up and stand firm.
9Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
9Save us, LORD. Answer us, king, when we call to you.
The last line can be read two ways in Hebrew: "LORD, save the king; answer us when we call," or "Save us, LORD; may the king answer us." Both readings are old.
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