Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 20:5
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up [our] banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions.
5. The prayer is still continued. Let us (or, That we may) shout for joy at thy salvation; Jehovah Himself was Israel’s Saviour (Psa 21:1; 1Sa 10:19), and the king was His chosen instrument for saving His people (2Sa 3:18).
set up our banners ] Rather, wave them in token of triumph, than set them up as a memorial of the victory. The cognate substantive is specially used of the standards of the tribes (Num 1:52; Num 2:2 ff.). Cp. Son 6:4; Son 6:10.
The LXX however has, we shall be magnified.
petitions ] Cp. Psa 21:2.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
We will rejoice in thy salvation – According to the idea of the psalm suggested in the introduction, this is a response of the king and those associated with him in going forth to battle. It expresses the joy which they would have in the expected deliverance from danger, and their conviction that through his strength they would be able to obtain it. The word salvation here means deliverance; to wit, from the anticipated danger. The phrase implies that God would interpose to save them; it expresses alike their confidence in that, and the fact that such a deliverance would fill their hearts with joy and rejoicing.
And in the name of our God – This indicates a sense of dependence on God, and also that the enterprise undertaken was in order to promote his honor and glory. It was not in their own strength, nor was it to promote the purposes of conquest and the ends of ambition; it was that God might be honored, and it was with confidence of success derived from his anticipated aid.
We will set up our banners – We will erect our standards; or, as we should say, we will unfurl our flag. All people, when they go to war, have standards or banners, whether flags or some other ensigns, around which they rally; which they follow; under which they fight; and which they feel bound to defend. Each nation has its own standard; but it is difficult to determine what precisely was the form of the standards used among the ancient Hebrews. Military standards, however, were early used (compare Num 1:52; Num 2:2-3, Num 2:10, Num 2:18, Num 2:25; Num 10:14, Num 10:25), and indeed were necessary whenever armies were mustered for war, For the forms of ancient standards, see the article in Kittos Cyclopaedia of the Bible, Standards.
The Lord fulfil all thy petitions – The prayers offered in connection with the sacrifice referred to in Psa 20:3 (compare Psa 20:4). This, according to the view suggested in the introduction, is the response of the people, expressing their desire that the king might be successful in what he had undertaken, and that the prayers which had been offered for success might be answered.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 20:5
We will rejoice in Thy salvation.
Joy in Gods salvation
The joy, the gladness, the rhapsody, the exultation, the young heaven begun in the heart of the newborn convert is the nearest thing to Paradise that earth ever saw. On the day that our sins are pardoned God sets all the bells of heaven ringing, and then the bells of our heart chime in melody. On the day when God is pleased to blot out our sins, He hangs every lane and every alley of Mansoul with splendid flags and colours, and gilded lamps and bright jewels; then He bids sweet music play in every part of the city, and He makes the fountains run with wine. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
In the name of our God we will set up our banners.
The banners of the Temperance Reformation
There is the battle of life and its hard struggle, with which we are familiar. And there is that other battle of a higher kind–the battle of salvation, in which we have to carry on a warfare against our spiritual foes. And every great reform has been of the nature of a battle, because of the opposing forces arrayed against it. The Temperance Reformation is no exception to this rule. Many and mighty are the forces arrayed against it: ignorance and appetite, custom and fashion, prejudices and vested interests, and yet more. This is the battle we have to wage. But we survey the field of this warfare not at all with discouragement, but rejoicing in the salvation which God has wrought by the temperance cause.
I. Enumerate some of the great truths which are the banners of the temperance reformation. We know how useful signs, banners, and such symbols are in any warfare. What great service they render.
1. Now, amongst ours are abstinence and health. No one imperils their health by joining our cause, though some think they will. But it is altogether a mistake. There is no need for their coming as martyrs, for no ones health will be injured by abstinence. And how vastly health is promoted by it is a fact becoming more recognised day by day.
2. Temperance and safety. Perfect safety is not the lot of man, but relative safety is largely within our own power; and abstinence from all intoxicating drinks is one great aid to such safety. Wine is a mocker, and the victims of its deceptions are gathered from every rank, age, and calling, the most sacred not excepted. Therefore it is well to make ourselves, by abstinence from strong drink, as safe as we can in order that we may more fully execute the will of God and the work of life.
3. Temperance and charity; that is, love for our fellow man. For the sake of others we should keep from that which does others so great harm. Love will ever swell the ranks of the temperance cause.
4. Temperance and piety. The one does not involve the other, but it is a great helper thereto. A practical connection exists between them, and temperance has brought multitudes to cast in their lot with the godly, and to walk with them in the heavenly way.
5. Temperance and prosperity. What hinders national and individual prosperity so much as intoxicating drink Y What, then, could more help than abstinence from it?
II. Exaltation of these banners is binding upon us. We are to set them up, not as the only things to be exalted, but yet as certainly amongst them.
1. Why shall we set them up?
(1) As a protest against prevailing errors and fallacies which still are held by multitudes of people.
(2) For publicity–that all may know what we believe and teach.
(3) For the sake of propagandism. We want these truths spread.
2. Where shall we set them up? In the home, the school, the church, the press, the legislature, wherever, indeed, we may.
3. The means. By the living voice, by the printing press, by personal example, by social influence, by the franchise.
III. The Divine sanction under which we act. We care for such sanction and we have it: His authority, honour, service, all sanction our efforts. Let us all be of those who take our text as their own resolve. (J. Dawson Burns.)
A holy warfare
I. Publicly declared. A banner is a military ensign, and to set it up is a declaration of war. To set up our banner and to declare a moral war against wrong is what all should do. It is indispensable. We are ruined else.
1. Righteous. There are unrighteous wars, but this is not one of them.
2. Life long. It will not end until the last enemy be destroyed.
3. Glorious. It has a glorious Leader, glorious examples and victories. Unfurl your banner, then. It should be–
4. Public. Let it be seen floating over the scene of your everyday life.
II. Its animating spirit. In the name of our God. This may imply–
1. A conscious need of Divine help. Jehoshaphats prayer is suited to us (2Ch 20:12).
2. A determination to follow the Divine direction. He is the Captain of our salvation. What a magnificent description we have of Him as a Chieftain in Rev 19:11-16. (D. Thomas, D. D. )
The religious banquet
A banner is a symbol. Hence its significance and value. Every country, every nationality has its banner, from the Roman Empire with its eagles, that aspired to universal dominion, to the smallest principality. The banner symbolises what is dear to the patriot heart, and every patriot is prompted to cling to it. Every soldier stands by his colours. Every religious body has its banners. They may not be visible flags; they may be symbols of different kinds. The creeds were formerly called symbols. Every Church has a creed or symbol of some kind. Some Churches may not have authoritative statements of faith and opinion to which subscription is required as a condition of membership, but every Church, every organisation, has its controlling thought, its characteristic faith, which in some form or other it expresses and makes its symbol or banner. Such banner every religious body ought to have, and it should set it up in the name of its God; that is, under deep conviction that its banner symbolises and sets forth truths, principles, duties accordant with the will of God and helpful to mans highest interest and truest welfare–mental, moral, and spiritual. And to the banner thus set up it should be unfalteringly true. It should stand by its colours. Better have no colours than to have them without the manliness to stand by them. Neutrality, where important principles are involved, is pitiable; but better be neutral, better openly declare that you have no convictions, than not to have courage to maintain those you profess to have. If you have a faith, never be ashamed of it. Be ashamed of not having a faith, or of not bravely defending the faith you have. (J. H. Heywood.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 5. We will rejoice in thy salvation] We expect help from thee alone; it is in thy cause we engage; and to thee, as our war is a just one, we consecrate our banners, inscribed with thy name. It is said that the Maccabees had their name from the inscription on their banners; which was taken from Ex 15:11, mi camochah baelim Yehovah, “Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?” The word being formed from the initial letters M, C, B, I, Ma Ca B I, whence Maccabeus and Maccabees.
The words of this verse were spoken by David and his officers; immediately after which I suppose the high priest to have added, The Lord fulfil all thy petitions!
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
We will rejoice: hereby they show their confidence in God, and their assurance of the victory.
In the name of our God, i.e. to the honour of God, as the Conqueror.
We will set up our banners, in way of triumph; which among other ways was celebrated by the setting up of banners or trophies.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. salvationthat wrought andexperienced by him.
set up our banners(Num 2:3; Num 2:10).In usual sense, or, as some render, “may we be made great.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
We will rejoice in thy salvation,…. That is, “so will we”, c. or “that we may” p, c. or “let us” these words, with what follow, point at the end of the church’s requests, and what she resolved to do upon the accomplishment of the above things for instance, she would rejoice in the salvation of the Messiah; meaning either the salvation and deliverance from death and the grave, and all other enemies, which he himself is possessed of, and which enters into, and is the occasion of the joy of his people; for not his sufferings and death only, but chiefly his resurrection from the dead, session at God’s right hand, and intercession for them, cause the triumph of faith in him, and further the joy of it, Ro 8:33; or else the salvation he is the author of, which being so great, so suitable, so complete and perfect, and an everlasting one; is matter of joy to all sensible of their need of it, and who have a comfortable hope of interest in it;
and in the name of our God we will set up [our] banners; either as a preparation for war; see Jer 51:27; so when Caesar q set up his banner, it was a sign to his soldiers to run to their arms and prepare to fight; and then the sense is, putting our trust in the Lord, relying on his strength, and not on our own, we will cheerfully and courageously engage with all his and our enemies, sin, Satan, and the world; as good soldiers of Christ, we will endure hardness, fight his battles under the banners of the Lord of hosts, in whose service we are enlisted; or as a sign of victory, when standards were set up, and flags hung out r; see Jer 50:2; and then the meaning is, Christ, the great Captain of our salvation, having obtained a complete victory over all enemies, and made us more than conquerors thereby, we will set up our banners, hang out the flag, and in his name triumph over sin, Satan, the world, death, and hell;
the Lord fulfil all thy petitions: the same as in Ps 20:4; this is put here to show that the church will be in such a frame as before described, when the Lord shall have fulfilled all the petitions of his Anointed; of which she had a full assurance, as appears from the following words.
p So Ainsworth; “ovemus”, Vatablus, Piscator, Michaelis; “cantemus”, Gejerus. q De Bello Gallico, l. 2. c. 20. r Schindler. Pentaglott. col. 1126.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
5. That we may rejoice in thy salvation. This verse may be explained in two other ways, besides the sense it bears according to the translation which I have given. Some consider it to be a prayer, as if it had been said, Lord, make us to rejoice. Others think that the faithful, after having finished their prayer, encourage themselves to entertain good hope; (474) or rather, being already inspired with an assured hope of success, they begin to sing, so to speak, of the victory, even as it is usual with David to intermingle such kind of rejoicings with his prayers, thereby to stir up himself to continue with the more alacrity in prayer. But upon considering the whole more carefully, my opinion is, that what is meant to be expressed is the effect or fruit which would result from the bestowment of the grace and favor of God, for which the people prayed; and, therefore, I have thought it necessary to supply the particle that, in the beginning of the verse. The faithful, as an argument to obtain the favor of God towards their king, set forth the joy which they would all experience in common, in seeing it exercised towards him, and the thanksgiving which they would with one accord render for it. The import of their language is, It is not for the preservation and welfare of one man that we are solicitous; it is for the safety and well-being of the whole Church. The expression, In thy salvation, may be referred to God as well as to the king; for the salvation which God bestows is often called the salvation of God; but the context requires that it should be rather understood of the king. The people lived “under the shadow of the king,” to use the words of Jeremiah, (Lam 4:20😉 and, therefore, the faithful now testify, that as long as he is safe and in prosperity, they will all be joyful and happy. At the same time, to distinguish their joy from the heathen dancings and rejoicings, they declare that they will set up their banners in the name of God; for the Hebrew word דגל, dagal, here used, means to set or lift up a banner. The meaning is, that the faithful, in grateful acknowledgement of the grace of God, will celebrate his praises and triumph in his name.
(474) Meaning, “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God will we set up our banners.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(5) We will set up our banners.Rather, we will wave our banners. (Comp. Son. 6:10.) The whole army, or their representatives, assembled in the Temple courts, raise the encouraging shout.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Salvation The deliverance, or victory, given by God.
Set up our banners “We shall have a triumphant procession upon the victory, with shouts, and banners displayed.” Mudge.
Fulfil all thy petitions A repetition of Psa 20:4, closing the first strophe, embracing the people’s prayer for the king.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The People’s Response ( Psa 20:5 a).
Psa 20:5
‘We will triumph in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners.’
The people make response by declaring their faith and confidence that He will deliver, thus causing them to triumph, and proclaim that it is in His name that they will set up their banners. Firstly it will be in faith, in readiness for their victorious assaults against the enemy with Him on their side, and then, once their faith is rewarded, in revealing the victory after the battle. All would be one in declaring their confidence in YHWH.
Psa 20:5 b
The Original Petitioner Then Adds His ‘Amen’ ( Psa 20:5
‘YHWH fulfil all your petitions.’
The leading petitioner then takes over stating his confident hope that YHWH their God will fulfil all their petitions. This is followed by a confident declaration that God will respond to His anointed prince and give him the strength required for victory.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Psa 20:5. We will set up our banners We shall set up our banners; “We shall have a triumphant procession upon thy victory with shouts and banners displayed.” The LXX, Vulgate, and Syriac, render it, We shall be magnified.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
This is a blessed triumph of faith. And the people of God do already celebrate the victories of Jesus, and their victories in him, from their oneness with Christ, even in the wilderness below. Hence the Church is seen as coming up out of it, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. Son 6:10 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 20:5 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.
Ver. 5. We will rejoice in thy salvation ] i.e. We are well assured that God will save us by thee, O king; and that shall produce a general joy among us. This confidence prayer hath begotten in him; for it is a sure grain, and if man would sow more of it in God’s bosom, they shall not fail to reap the fruit and comfort of it in their greatest need. Pray, that your joy may be full.
And in the name of our God will we set up our banners
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
fulfil = will fulfil.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
rejoice: Psa 13:5, Psa 19:4, Psa 21:1, Psa 35:9, Psa 118:15, Isa 12:1-3, Isa 25:9, Isa 61:10, Hab 3:18, Luk 1:47
and in: Psa 60:4, Exo 17:15, *marg. Num 10:35, Num 10:36, 1Sa 17:45, Isa 11:10, Mic 4:5
Reciprocal: 1Sa 2:1 – I rejoice 2Ch 14:11 – in thy name 2Ch 20:27 – the Lord Neh 2:20 – The God Psa 9:14 – I will Psa 21:2 – General Psa 89:24 – in my Psa 118:12 – in the name
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
GODS NAME
The name of our God.
Psa 20:5
The Psalmist remembers the name of God, the expression implying, not a transient thought, but meditation, consideration; and yet the result of the recollection is gladness and confidence.
I. When the mind gives itself to the contemplation of the Divine perfections, it launches on an ocean unfathomable and without a shore.But we may certify ourselves of truths which we cannot fathom or scan. And the Divine perfections, while we readily confess that they transcend all our powers, may be objects of our faith, of our study, of our adoration. Wheresoever there are the simple desire and the earnest endeavour to obey the Divine precepts, the properties of our Maker have only to be made the subject of careful remembrance, and they must furnish the materials of comfort.
II. We go on to admit that there are properties or attributes of God which, because they seem arrayed against sinful beings, can hardly be supposed to be the subjects of encouraging remembrance.The name of the Lord our God includes justice and holiness; and these are qualities from which we seem instinctively to shrink, as though we felt that they must necessarily be opposed to rebellious and polluted creatures. But the attributes of Deity meet and harmonise in the plan of our redemption. It is the Christian alone who can view God in every character and yet view Him without dread. The Christian, when he would remember the name of the Lord, may place himself beneath the shadow of the tree on which the Lord Jesus died.
III. The Psalmists reference would seem to be specially to seasons of fear and anxiety.In times of sorrow Christians call to remembrance their grief rather than God, the blow rather than the hand whence it comes; but let them call to mind the Divine attributes, the evidences which they have already had of Gods love and the reasons which they have for being persuaded that all things are ordered by Him so as to work together for good, and come trouble, come death, they may still exclaim, Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but enough for us that we can remember the name of the Lord our God.
Canon Melvill.
Illustration
This is the song which welds and ennobles ordinary men into Ironsides.
Jehovah Nissi: that is the Lords name. He is my Banner. He goes in front of me into every encounter. The enemy is near, but He is nearer still. The enemy is strong, but He is stronger by far. Gods flag has never been worsted, never put to shame. It is the emblem of victory. It is invincible.
Jehovah Jireh: that is His name. He is the Lord Who provides for me. If I am to fight to purpose, I need an ample equipment; and I have it in Him. The pardon which lifts away the burden of past guilt, the holiness which renders me impervious to the craft and power of the adversary, the joyous assurance which sends me into the strife without fearHe furnishes them all.
Jehovah Shalom: that is His name. He is the Lord who gives peace. I shall not live always among the blare of trumpets and the clash of arms. Here, in this world, He brings me to many a. season of calm weather. And, by and by, He will open to me the gates of the city where nothing hurts or annoys.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Psa 20:5-6. We will rejoice in thy salvation Hereby they show their confidence in God, and their assurance of the victory. In the name of our God That is, to the honour of God, we will set up our banners In the way of triumph, which, among other ways, was celebrated by the setting up of banners, or trophies. Now know I, &c. I am already assured of victory by the consideration of Gods power and faithfulness, and love to his people. These words seem to have been spoken by David himself; or rather, by the high-priest. The Lord saveth his anointed Will certainly save, with the saving strength of his right hand This shows how God would hear him, even by saving him with a strong hand.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
20:5 We will rejoice in thy {d} salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up [our] banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
(d) Granted to the king in whose wealth our happiness stands.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The people anticipated victory in the upcoming battle. When the soldiers went out to war they marched according to their tribes, and each tribe had its own distinctive banner (cf. Num 2:2).