Psalms 20

1 “To the chief musician, a psalm of David.” May the Lord answer thee on the day of distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect thee;

I desire that Yahweh will answer you [when you call out to him] when you have troubles! God is the one whom ([our ancestor] Jacob/the Israeli people) [worshiped]; I desire that he will protect you [MTY] [from being harmed by your enemies].

2 May he send thee help from the sanctuary, and support thee from Zion;

I desire/hope that he will reach out from his sacred temple and help you, and aid you from [where he lives] on Zion [Hill].

3 May he remember all thy meat-offerings, and accept in favor thy burnt-sacrifice. (Selah)

I desire/hope that he will accept all the offerings that you give him to be burned [on the altar], and all your [other] offerings.

4 May he grant thee according to thy own heart, and fulfill all thy resolves.

I want him to give to you what you desire, and that you will be able to accomplish all that you desire to do.

5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God will we upraise our banners: may the Lord fulfill all thy petitions.

When [we hear that] you have defeated [your enemies], we will shout joyfully. We will lift up a banner proclaiming that it is God [MTY] [who helps us](inc). I want Yahweh to [do for you] all that you request him to do.

6 Now I know that the Lord saveth his anointed: he will answer him from his holy heavens, with the saving strength of his right hand.

I know now that Yahweh rescues [me], the one whom he has chosen [to be king]. From his holy place in heaven he will answer me, and he will save me by his great power [MTY].

7 Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses; but we will invoke the name of the Lord our God.

Some [kings] trust that because they have chariots [they will be able to defeat their enemies], and some trust that their horses [will enable them to defeat their enemies], but we will trust in the power [MTY] of Yahweh our God.

8 They are prostrate and fallen; but we are risen up and stand erect.

Some kings will stumble and fall down, but we will be strong and (not be moved/continue standing firm).

9 O Lord, save [us]: may the king answer us on the day when we call [on him].

Yahweh, enable [me], your king, to defeat our enemies! Answer us when we call out to you [to help us.]