Psalm 20[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;(A)
    may the name of the God of Jacob(B) protect you.(C)
May he send you help(D) from the sanctuary(E)
    and grant you support(F) from Zion.(G)
May he remember(H) all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.[b](I)
May he give you the desire of your heart(J)
    and make all your plans succeed.(K)
May we shout for joy(L) over your victory
    and lift up our banners(M) in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.(N)

Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.(O)
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.(P)
Some trust in chariots(Q) and some in horses,(R)
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.(S)
They are brought to their knees and fall,(T)
    but we rise up(U) and stand firm.(V)
Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us(W) when we call!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 20:1 In Hebrew texts 20:1-9 is numbered 20:2-10.
  2. Psalm 20:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

A Prayer for Victory

20 May the Lord answer you in the day of distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob[a] protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary,
    and may he sustain you from Zion.
May he remember all your gifts,
    and may he accept your burnt offerings.
Interlude

May he give you what your heart desires,
    and may he fulfill all your plans.
May we shout for joy at your deliverance
    and unfurl our banners in the name of our God.
        May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord has delivered his anointed;
    he has answered him from his sanctuary
        with the strength of his right hand of deliverance.
Some boast[b] in chariots,
    others in horses;
        but we will boast in[c] the name of the Lord our God.
While they bowed down and fell,
    we arose and stood upright.

Deliver us, Lord!
    Answer us, our King,[d] on the day we cry out!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 20:1 I.e. Israel
  2. Psalm 20:7 The Heb. lacks Some boast
  3. Psalm 20:7 Or remember
  4. Psalm 20:9 I.e. God