For the music director; a psalm of David.
David wrote this song for the music director of the Levites.
20:1 May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble; may the God of Jacob make you secure!
The congregation asked that Jehovah would answer the prayers of King David when he was in trouble. They asked that Jehovah would give David security in his kingdom.
20:2 May he send you help from his temple; from Zion may he give you support!
The temple was not built in David’s day. There was a temple in heaven. The tabernacle (and later Solomon’s temple) was patterned after Jehovah’s temple in heaven. The people asked Jehovah to send King David some help from God’s temple in heaven. Zion is Jerusalem. The people asked Jehovah to support David from Jerusalem.
20:3 May he take notice of your offerings; may he accept your burnt sacrifice! (Selah)
The congregation asked Jehovah to accept the Mosaic offerings of King David.
20:4 May he grant your heart’s desire; may he bring all your plans to pass!
The congregation asked Jehovah to give David his heart’s desire. They prayed that all of David’s plans would come to pass.
20:5 Then we will shout for joy over your victory; we will rejoice in the name of our God! May the Lord grant all your requests!
The congregation sang their confidence that Jehovah will answer David’s prayers. After these prayers are answered, then the congregation will shout out praises to Jehovah.
20:6 Now I am sure that the Lord will deliver his chosen king; he will intervene for him from his holy heavenly temple, and display his mighty ability to deliver.
David was sure that Jehovah would answer the prayers of the congregation. He knew that he would be delivered from his enemies. He knew that Jehovah would send help from His temple in heaven. He knew that Jehovah would demonstrate His mighty power to deliver.
20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the Lord our God.
Political leaders of the satanic world system trust in large armies and powerful weapons. David trusted in Jehovah. All of the armies and weapons of the satanic world system have unsuccessfully attempted to exterminate Israel.
20:8 They will fall down, but we will stand firm.
All of the nations who have attacked Israel are now either extinct or third-world powers.
20:9 The Lord will deliver the king; he will answer us when we call to him for help!
The congregation sang their final chorus. This was the same chorus which was sung at the beginning of this song. Jehovah will deliver King David. Jehovah will answer the prayers of Israel.