Psalms · 9 verses
Psalms 20
Every verse links to the people and places named in it, and to the passages readers connect it with.
The chapter
What happens here
Atlas's own reading, written from this chapter and nothing else, and published only once a person has approved it. Each scene names the verses it covers; the names inside it link to the people and places they name.
The prayer changes its grammar halfway through: a blessing for “you” becomes a report from “I,” then ends as a cry from “us.”
A blessing for the day of troublevv. 1–5
The psalm opens with a chorus of wishes for the king: protection, help from the sanctuary, remembered offerings, successful plans, and every petition granted. Then the singers imagine the victory already bright enough for banners and shouting—a remarkably confident arrangement of hopes, with a small “Selah” sitting in the middle like a raised eyebrow.
The answer and the contrastvv. 6–9
Suddenly the speaker is no longer asking but knowing: the LORD saves His anointed from holy heaven. Chariots and horses appear on one side, the name of the LORD on the other; the military inventory is briskly dismissed as the worshippers rise and stand firm. The final line gathers the changing voices into one last appeal for the king and for those calling.
The text
Read it
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Names the Hebrew and Greek put in the verse link to the person, place or people they name; the address beside each verse is a link to that verse, which is what a reader copies and shares.
Ps 20:1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
Ps 20:2May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion.
Ps 20:3May He remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. Selah
Ps 20:4May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Ps 20:5May we shout for joy at your victory and raise a banner in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your petitions.
Ps 20:6Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.
Ps 20:7Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Ps 20:8They collapse and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
Ps 20:9O LORD, save the king. Answer us on the day we call.
02 — Read alongside
Where this is echoed
Readers' own connections, from OpenBible's crowd-voted cross-references — agreement about relevance, and not scholarly confidence. 111 passages were voted onto 9 verses of this chapter; the 16 shown lead on votes, and each is listed at the verse it was voted onto most strongly.
- 7Isaiah 31:1Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.
- 7Jeremiah 17:5This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.
- 7Proverbs 21:31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
- 7Psalms 33:16–17No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength.
- 72 Chronicles 32:8With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
- 4Psalms 145:19He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
- 72 Chronicles 14:11Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.”
- 4Psalms 37:4Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
- 4Matthew 21:22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
- 1Proverbs 18:10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
- 4Psalms 21:2You have granted his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
- 72 Chronicles 20:12–20Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
- 1Psalms 138:7If I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me from the anger of my foes; You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me.
- 4John 16:23In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
- 1Psalms 91:14–15“Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him.
- 4Romans 8:27–28And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Onward