8 They are bent down and made low; but we have been lifted up.
So may destruction come on all your haters, O Lord; but let your lovers be like the sun going out in his strength. And for forty years the land had peace.
Evil will put an end to the sinner, and those who are haters of righteousness will come to destruction. The Lord will be the saviour of the souls of his servants, and no one who has faith in him will be put to shame.
Happy is the man who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things in them; who keeps faith for ever: Who gives their rights to those who are crushed down; and gives food to those who are in need of it: the Lord makes the prisoners free; The Lord makes open the eyes of the blind; the Lord is the lifter up of those who are bent down; the Lord is a lover of the upright; The Lord takes care of those who are in a strange land; he gives help to the widow and to the child who has no father; but he sends destruction on the way of sinners.
A blessing is on the man who puts his faith in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he will be like a tree planted by the waters, pushing out its roots by the stream; he will have no fear when the heat comes, but his leaf will be green; in a dry year he will have no care, and will go on giving fruit.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 20
Commentary on Psalms 20 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 20
Ps 20:1-9. David probably composed this Psalm to express the prayers of the pious for his success as at once the head of the Church and nation. Like other compositions of which David in such relations is the subject, its sentiments have a permanent value—the prosperity of Christ's kingdom being involved, as well as typified, in that of Israel and its king.
1. hear thee—graciously (Ps 4:1).
name of—or manifested perfections, as power, wisdom, &c.
defend thee—set thee on high from danger (Ps 9:9; 18:3).
2. strengthen thee—sustain in conflict; even physical benefits may be included, as courage for war, &c., as such may proceed from a sense of divine favor, secured in the use of spiritual privileges.
3. all thy offerings—or gifts, vegetable offerings.
accept—literally, "turn to ashes" (compare 1Ki 18:38).
Selah—(See on Ps 3:2).
4. thy counsel—or plan.
5. salvation—that wrought and experienced by him.
set up our banners—(Nu 2:3, 10). In usual sense, or, as some render, "may we be made great."
6. He speaks as if suddenly assured of a hearing.
his anointed—not only David personally, but as the specially appointed head of His Church.
his holy heaven—or, literally, "the heavens of His holiness," where He resides (Ps 2:6; 11:4).
saving … hand—His power which brings salvation.
7. remember—or cause to remember, mention thankfully (1Sa 17:45; Ps 33:16).
8. They—that is, who trust in horses, &c.
stand upright—literally, "we have straightened ourselves up from our distress and fears."
9. let the king hear—as God's representative, delivered to deliver. Perhaps a better sense is, "Lord, save the king; hear us when we call," or pray.