Christian prayer
Psalm 20
Psalm 20 from the Bible, in its original Hebrew and with its meaning.
- 9 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
- 1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
- 2
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
- 3
Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
- 4
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
- 5
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
- 6
Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
- 7
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
- 8
They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
- 9
Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
The Hebrew original
1 לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃
2 יַֽעַנְךָ֣ יְ֭הוָה בְּי֣וֹם צָרָ֑ה יְ֝שַׂגֶּבְךָ֗ שֵׁ֤ם ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֬י יַעֲקֹֽב׃
3 יִשְׁלַֽח־עֶזְרְךָ֥ מִקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וּ֝מִצִּיּ֗וֹן יִסְעָדֶֽךָּ׃
4 יִזְכֹּ֥ר כָּל־מִנְחֹתֶ֑ךָ וְעוֹלָתְךָ֖ יְדַשְּׁנֶ֣ה סֶֽלָה׃
5 יִֽתֶּן־לְךָ֥ כִלְבָבֶ֑ךָ וְֽכָל־עֲצָתְךָ֥ יְמַלֵּֽא׃
6 נְרַנְּנָ֤ה ׀ בִּ֘ישׁ֤וּעָתֶ֗ךָ וּבְשֵֽׁם־אֱלֹהֵ֥ינוּ נִדְגֹּ֑ל יְמַלֵּ֥א יְ֝הוָ֗ה כָּל־מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֶֽיךָ׃
7 עַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּ֤י הוֹשִׁ֥יעַ ׀ יְהוָ֗ה מְשִׁ֫יח֥וֹ יַ֭עֲנֵהוּ מִשְּׁמֵ֣י קָדְשׁ֑וֹ בִּ֝גְבֻר֗וֹת יֵ֣שַׁע יְמִינֽוֹ׃
8 אֵ֣לֶּה בָ֭רֶכֶב וְאֵ֣לֶּה בַסּוּסִ֑ים וַאֲנַ֓חְנוּ ׀ בְּשֵׁם־יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣ינוּ נַזְכִּֽיר׃
9 הֵ֭מָּה כָּרְע֣וּ וְנָפָ֑לוּ וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ קַּ֝֗מְנוּ וַנִּתְעוֹדָֽד׃
10 יְהוָ֥ה הוֹשִׁ֑יעָה הַ֝מֶּ֗לֶךְ יַעֲנֵ֥נוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְאֵֽנוּ׃
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is prayed
Many Christians recite Psalm 20 in times of trouble or before a difficult task, asking for God's help. It is also used to pray for others, including leaders and communities facing uncertainty. In the Christian tradition, its words encourage trust in God rather than in human power.
Where it comes from
Psalm 20 comes from the Book of Psalms in the Bible and was originally composed in Hebrew. Its heading associates it with David, and its words express a community's prayer for their king. Christians inherited the psalm as part of the scriptures of ancient Israel.
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Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 20
How many verses are in Psalm 20?
Psalm 20 has 9 verses.
What is Psalm 20 about?
It is a prayer asking God to answer in a time of trouble and to support the king. It contrasts trust in military strength with trust in God.
Who wrote Psalm 20?
The psalm's heading associates it with David. Its precise circumstances of composition are not known with certainty.
How long does it take to recite?
Psalm 20 takes under a minute to recite, though a slow, reflective reading may take longer.
