Psalms 20:1 «To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. » The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
A Psalm of David] Or, concerning David; so Kimchi. Or, for and on the behalf of David; so Aben Ezra. David, as a prophet, dictated this form of prayer to be made by the people for himself, their king; when he went forth to fight their battles, probably, against the Ammonites and Syrians; or, when he fled from Absalom, and was to help them from the city by his prayers, 2 Samuel 18:3, as Aben Ezra thinketh.
Ver. 1. The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble] Great men, though gracious, as David, have their distresses, and must pray for themselves then; not trusting to the prayers of others for them; as did that profane Earl of Westmoreland, who said he had no need to pray, since he had tenants enough to pray for him (Camden).
The name of the God of Jacob defend thee] Heb. set thee in a high place, such as God's name is, Proverbs 18:10, the righteous run thereto and are safe, as in a tower of brass or town of war. By the name of God is meant, Deus nominatissimus, the most renowned God, saith Junius, and worthy to be praised, as Psalms 18:3. And he is called the God of Jacob here, saith another; first, because Jacob was once in the like distress, Genesis 32:6,7; secondly, because he prayed to the like purpose, Genesis 35:3; thirdly, because he prevailed with God as a prince; and there God spake with us, Hosea 12:5; fourthly, because God of Jacob is the same with God of Israel; and so the covenant is pleaded.