Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 1 · Commentary on psalm 20
PSAL. XX.
The Church blesseth the King in his exploits: 6 Promiseth thankefulnesse, 7 testifieth confidence in Gods succour; 8 and triumpheth by faith in Christ.
To the master of the musicke, a Psalme of David.
IEhovah answer thee in day of distresse, the name of the God of Iakob set thee on high. Send thy helpe from the Sanctuarie, and uphold thee out of Sion. He remember all thy oblations, and thy burntoffering he turne to ashes Selah. He give to thee, according to thy heart, and fulfill all thy counsell. We will shout in thy salvation, and in the name of our God set up the banner; Iehovah fulfill all thy petitions. Now I know that Iehovah saveth his Anointed, answereth him out of the Heavens of his holinesse, with powers the salvation of his right hand. These (make mention) of chariots, and these of horses: but we make mention of the name of Iehovah our God. They stoope downe and fall, but we rise up and stand upright. Iehovah save thou the King, he answer us in the day we call.
Annotations.
ANswer thee] thee O King, whom after he calleth Messias, or Anointed, vers. 7. And this sentence is set downe in Iaakobs words, Gen. 35. 3. as after he mentioneth the God of Iaakob. And the whole Psalme is a prophesie of Christs sufferings, and his deliverances out of them, for which the Church with him triumpheth. For answer, the Chaldee saith, accept thy prayer. set thee on high] in a high refuge, and so defend and keep thee safe: see Psal. 9. 10. As Gods name, even his onelyonly is advanced high, Psal. 148. 13. so is it also a strong tower which the righteous runneth unto, and is set on high, Prov. 18. 10.
Vers. 3. from the Sanctuarie] or sanctitie; Thus the tabernacle was called, Lev. 16. 2. and the temple, 1 King. 8. 10. as being the place of holinesse, for the presence of God there.
Vers. 4. remember all thy oblations] This hath respect to the law, which appointed part of the oblation (or meat-offering) to be burnt on the altar unto God, with oile and incense for a memoriall, Levit. 2. 2. The Hebrew Minchah, is generalfy a gift or present carried to any, Psal. 45. 13. and 72. 10. Gen. 32. 13. and in speciall, a gift or oblation presented to God, Gen. 4. 3, 4, 5. Psal. 96. 8. most specially the oblation of corne or flower, called the meatoffering, Lev. 2. Num. 29. The Apostle in Greeke turneth it Prosphora, an oblation, Heb. 10. 5. 8. 10. from Psal. 40. 6. burnt-offering] which according to the originall word Ghnolah, signifieth an ascension, because this kind of sacrifice was wholly given up to God in fire, Lev. 1. 3,—9. 13. Therefore in Greeke it is translated holocautoma, that is, a whole burnt-offering. turne to ashes] that is, consume to ashes with heavenly fire: for so God approved and accepted the sacrifices of his people, Lev. 9. 24 1 Kings 18. 28.
Vers. 5. fulfill all thy counsell] or accomplish it: Counsell is as empty if it be not effected and accomplished; and the performance is as the filling thereof. So to fill or accomplish petitions in the verse following: to fulfill joy, Ioh. 3. 29. and 15. 11. to fulfill words, is to confirme them, 1 Kings 1. 14. and to performe or effect them, 1 Kings 2. 27.
Vers. 6. We will showt] or, that we may showt, or shrill. For these two phrases are used in differently: See the note on Psal. 43. 4. thy salvation] which thou (O King) hast received; or which thou (O God) hast given. set up the banner] or, display the slag or ensigne, which was for triumph and victorie, to honour God, and to terrifie the enemies, Song 6. 3. 9.
Vers. 7. his anointed] or Messias, that is, his King, vers. 10. Psal. 2. 6. with powers the salvation] that is, with full power (or puissance,) even with the salvation of his right hand. For Gods right hand is of wondrous excellent force, and doth valiantly, Exod. 15 6. Psal. 118. 16. and 89 14.
Vers. 8. These] that is, Some mention chariots and some horses. Chariot is used for chariots; as also in Psal. 68. 18. so bird for birds, Psal. 8. 9. Angell for Angels, Psal. 34. 8. make mention of the name] that is, make it to be knowne and to be remembred with honour, Psal. 45. 18. Esa. 49. 1. 2 Sam. 18. 18.
Vers. 9. stand upright] or, set our selves sure to continue yet. So after in Psal. 146. 9. and 147. 6.
Vers. 10. the King, he answer us] By the King here seemeth to be meant Christ, of whom this whole Psalme is composed: as also the Chaldee Paraphrast understood it, and therefore explained this verse thus; O word of the Lord, redeeme us; O mighty King, receive our prayer in the day of our invocation. But the Seventie (not keeping the distinctions) turne it in Greeke thus; Lord save the king, and here us in the day that we call upon thee.