Psalms – Chapter 20

Old Testament14 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Unto the end. A psalm for David." — so begins Psalms 20. David stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 14 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and sin and divine judgment. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Unto the end. A psalm for David.

2In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly.

3Thou hast given him his heart's desire: and hast not withholden from him the will of his lips.

4For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.

5He asked life of thee: and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.

6His glory is great in thy salvation: glory and great beauty shalt thou lay upon him.

7For thou shalt give him to be a blessing for ever and ever: thou shalt make him joyful in gladness with thy countenance.

8For the king hopeth in the Lord: and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

9Let thy hand be found by all thy enemies: let thy right hand find out all them that hate thee.

10Thou shalt make them as an oven of fire, in the time of thy anger: the Lord shall trouble them in his wrath, and fire shall devour them.

11Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth: and their seed from among the children of men.

12For they have intended evils against thee: they have devised counsels which they have not been able to establish.

13For thou shalt make them turn their back: in thy remnants thou shalt prepare their face.

14Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy own strength: we will sing and praise thy power.

Important Verses in Psalms 20

In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly.

Psalms 20:2

He asked life of thee: and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.

Psalms 20:5

For the king hopeth in the Lord: and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

Psalms 20:8

Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy own strength: we will sing and praise thy power.

Psalms 20:14

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Psalms was written with god's people at prayer in every age in view. Chapter 20 of 150 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 14 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "Unto the end. A psalm for David." The final verse reads: "Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy own strength: we will sing and praise thy power. " Read against its original backdrop, The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Psalms around Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

This psalm is a prayer-poem that Israel sang in Temple worship and private devotion. A pivotal line is verse 2: "In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1502).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

David1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Psalms Chapter 20 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the call to holiness in ordinary life.

May your reading of Psalms Chapter 20 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 20 about?

Psalms 20 contains 14 verses. It opens with "Unto the end. A psalm for David." and closes with "Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy own strength: we will sing and praise thy power. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 20?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 20?

This chapter mentions David.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

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