Psalm 20:9

9 Give victory to the king, O LORD; answer us when we call.

Psalm 20:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 20:9

Save, Lord
Not "the king", as the Septuagint, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions read the words, joining the word "king" to them, which is in the next clause; but this, as Aben Ezra observes, is not right, because of the accent "athnach", which divides these words from the following; rather the word us may be supplied; and so the Syriac version renders it, "the Lord will deliver us"; and the Targum is, "O Lord", (Nl qrp) , "redeem us", or "save us"; that is, with a temporal, spiritual, and eternal salvation: this petition is directed to Jehovah the Father, as the following is to the King Messiah;

let the King hear us when we call;
for not God the Father is here meant, though he is an everlasting King, the King of kings; and who hears his people, when they call upon him, and while they are calling; yet he is rarely, if ever, called "the King", without any other additional epithet; whereas the Messiah often is, as in the next psalm, ( Psalms 20:1 Psalms 20:7 ) ( 45:1 ) ; and prayer is made to him, and he hears and receives the prayers of his people; and, as Mediator, presents them to his Father perfumed with his much incense; for he is a Priest as well as a King.

Psalm 20:9 In-Context

7 Some boast of chariots, and some of horses; but we boast of the name of the LORD our God.

8 They will collapse and fall; but we shall rise and stand upright.

9 Give victory to the king, O LORD; answer us when we call.