PARAPHRASE OF PSALM XX by E. S. W.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 21, 1868

PARAPHRASE OF PSALM XX.

By E. S. W.

This Psalm was doubtless composed and publicly sung when David was about to engage in some perilous expedition; it is generally thought, in that of the Ammonites and Syrians. The children of Ammon had merited the displeasure of David, King of Israel, and expecting chastisement at his hand, they hired men, horses, and chariots of war, of the Syrians, and with their own forces gathered together from their cities and came to battle. When David heard of it, he sent Joab, the Captain of his host, with an army against them. The enemy’s forces were divided into two grand divisions. The Syrians composing one, and the children of Ammon the other. Joab chose the young men of Israel and led them against the Syrians, and gave Abishai, his brother, the command of the balance of his army, who engaged the Ammonites.

They went into the battle counselling each other to be of good courage and to behave valiantly for their people and for the cities of their god. The result of the conflict was soon decided by the flight of the Syrians before the valiant men of Joab’s army; and when the Ammonites saw that their allies were routed, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered into their city. Joab then returned to Jerusalem.

The Syrians, smarting under their defeat, determined to make a desperate effort to retrieve what they had lost, and obtain a victory over the Israelites. For this purpose they sent messengers and called in their forces beyond the Euphrates and gave command of the combined army to Shobach, captain of the host of Hadadezer. When David heard this, he determined to collect all his available forces, cross the Jordan and attack them before they could move upon his capital. He was well aware that the expedition would be attended with great peril. He knew the implements of warfare that his foe would bring to bear against him, but his trust was not in chariots and horses, but in the name of the Lord his God. He had intrusted the former expedition to Joab, the captain of his host, but this was of so much importance that he determined to command it in person, and to move with the whole of his army at once.

Before setting out on this expedition, it is supposed that he comes to the tabernacle to offer sacrifice. This Psalm being composed for the occasion, after the offering is presented and the prayer made, the people probably perform the first three verses on instruments, accompanying them with their voices. The high priest takes up the fourth verse. David and his attendants, the fifth to the last clause. The last clause by the high priest. The sixth verse, by the high priest after the victim was consumed. Verses seven and eight, by David and his army; and the ninth as a chorus by the whole congregation. If this was thus performed by that vast company in different parts, at different heights and distances, with different kinds of instruments, the effect must have been grand and imposing in the extreme.

THE PEOPLE.

1 The Lord give ear to thee our King, And aid in time of trouble bring. The name of God—a strong, high tower— Thy sure defence in danger’s hour.

2 And may the father of all grace Give strength from out his dwelling place: Help from the sanctuary send, And e’er to all thy wants attend.

3 Accept thy sacrifice of blood, And offerings of gratitude.

HIGH PRIEST.

4 The Lord impart success to thee, And to thine arms the victory; Fulfill thy counsel and desire: Grant thy request—respond by fire.

DAVID AND HIS ATTENDANTS.

5 The Lord Jehovah is our choice: In his salvation we rejoice. Our war is just—our cause is true, We in his strength our foes subdue. The name of God—our only stay— Upon our banners we display.

HIGH PRIEST.

The Lord in battle give thee skill And thy petitions all fulfill.

HIGH PRIEST, AFTER THE VICTIM IS CONSUMED.

6 The Lord doth save, we will not fear; He from his holy Heaven will hear. The sacrifice he does respect, And his anointed will protect. His enemies he can withstand By saving strength of God’s right hand.

DAVID AND HIS MEN.

7 Some men on chariots rely, With horses some their foes defy; Our trust is not in sword or spear, In horsemen, nor in charioteer, In armies grand, nor numbers great, Nor earthly prince nor potentate. Earth’s mighty men—we fear them not; We bear in mind what God hath wrought With Canaan’s hordes and Egypt’s hosts, On Judea’s hills and Red Sea coasts. Our trust is in Jehovah’s name— To-day and yesterday the same.

8 The Lord has wrought, the work is done, The battle’s fought, the victory’s won. We now are risen—praise the Lord! Our foes are vanquished by his word.

WHOLE CONGREGATION.

9 Save us, O Lord; protect our king, Who will thy bounties to us bring; And ever hear us when we call, Thou kind preserver, God of all. E. S. W.