Psalms 20
What Happens in This Chapter
This is a prayer for the king before he goes into battle. The people ask God to answer him, protect him, and give him what he plans. Then one voice says he is sure God will save the king. The people say they trust God, not war horses and chariots.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
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 God send you help from his holy tent. May he hold you up from Zion, his own hill.
3Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
3May God remember every gift you brought him. May he be pleased with the animals you burned for him on the altar. (Selah)
"Selah" is a word in the song. Nobody today knows for sure what it meant. It may have told the singers to pause.
4Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
4May God 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 to honor 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 saves the king he chose. God answers him from his holy home above. God's strong right hand rescues him.
"His anointed" means the king. Oil was poured on a new king's head to show God chose him.
7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
7Some people trust in war carts. Some trust in horses. But we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Chariots were carts pulled by horses. Armies rode them into battle, like war machines.
8They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
8Those people fall down and cannot get up. But we stand up straight and stay strong.
9Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
9LORD, save the king. Answer us on the day we call to you.
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