Of course, this psalm does not speak only about the king. Were the feelings that filled the royal psalmist experienced by crowned heads alone...
Of course, this psalm does not speak only about the king. Were the feelings that filled the royal psalmist experienced by crowned heads alone? Could not everyone who feels grateful to the Lord for His gifts repeat the psalmist's words?
And yet a king has a special ministry. David, who knew both the taste and the temptations of power as well as the responsibility of public service, experienced this too. Many of his subjects repeatedly had to pay for a king's sins and wrongful deeds. But the blessing received by a king also benefited the whole country more than once. It is therefore important that the living bond between a king and the Lord should not be broken or degenerate into empty ritualism.
20 A prayer for the king, Psa 20:1-4.
The king and the people rejoice in God, and pray for his help, Psa 20:5-9.
To the chief musician, A psalm of David.
20:1 God of Jacob - God had made a covenant with Jacob and his posterity.
20:2 Sanctuary - From the tabernacle in Zion, where the ark then was; toward which the Israelites directed their prayers.
20:5 Rejoice - Hereby they shew their confidence in God, and their assurance of the victory. Name - To the honour of God. Set up - In way of triumph.
20:6 Now - We are already sure of victory by the consideration of God's power and faithfulness and love to David, and to his people. They speak as one person, because they were unanimous in this prayer. Saveth - Will certainly save. Strength - This shews how God will hear him, even by saving him with a strong hand.
20:7 Remember - Trust in it.
20:8 Brought down - From their horses and chariots, to which they trusted. Stand - Stand firmly, and keep the field.
20:9 Let the king - God, the supreme monarch, the king of kings, and in a peculiar manner the king of Israel.