Psalm 20 6

Psalm 20:6 kjv

Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

Psalm 20:6 nkjv

Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.

Psalm 20:6 niv

Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.

Psalm 20:6 esv

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.

Psalm 20:6 nlt

Now I know that the LORD rescues his anointed king.
He will answer him from his holy heaven
and rescue him by his great power.

Psalm 20 verses

Psalm 20 6 Meaning

Psalm 20:6 declares a confident and settled conviction that the Lord, Israel’s covenant God, infallibly saves His Anointed King. This saving action is asserted to come directly from His holy, heavenly dwelling, empowered by the invincible and victorious strength of His own right hand, confirming His faithful response to His chosen representative.

Psalm 20 6 Context

Psalm 20 is a communal prayer, likely recited by the congregation or temple priests, on behalf of the reigning king of Israel as he prepares for or embarks on battle. The psalm begins with supplication for God’s favor upon the king (vv. 1-5), asking for His protection, blessing, and acceptance of sacrifices. Verse 6 marks a pivotal turning point within the psalm. It transitions from hopeful prayer to a confident declaration of assurance. This declaration is a collective affirmation of faith in YHWH's character and power, believing that the king's petitions will be answered. Historically, it reflects Israel's unique identity: unlike surrounding nations who trusted in military might or false gods, Israel placed its trust in the sovereign God, YHWH, for deliverance and victory.

Psalm 20 6 Word analysis

• Now I know (עתה ידעתי – ‘attah yada‘ti):

  • Now (עתה – ‘attah): Denotes an immediate, present reality or a fresh understanding. It signifies a point of clarity or revelation in time.
  • I know (ידעתי – yada‘ti): From the verb yada‘ (to know). The Hebrew perfect tense here expresses a settled conviction, a full understanding that has been attained, not merely a future hope. It's a confident declaration based on past experience and God's proven character, indicating an unwavering certainty.

• that the LORD (כי יהוה – ki YHWH):

  • LORD (יהוה – YHWH): The sacred, personal, covenant name of God, revealing Him as the ever-existing, self-sufficient God who fulfills His promises. This name emphasizes His faithfulness and active involvement with His people.

• saves (ישיע – yoshi‘a):

  • From the root ישׁע (yasha‘), meaning to save, deliver, help, or give victory. It’s a comprehensive term for salvation encompassing rescue from danger, deliverance, and leading to victory or prosperity. The imperfect (future/present) tense here signifies ongoing, habitual action, and certainty of God's saving power.

• His anointed (משיחו – meshiḥo):

  • From משיח (mashiaḥ), meaning "anointed one" or "Messiah." In this immediate context, it refers to the king of Israel, specifically King David or his successors, who were literally anointed with oil as a sign of their divine appointment and sacred office. The title implies God’s chosen representative, endowed with His Spirit for his divine task. This concept prefigures and ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the ultimate Anointed One (Messiah).

• He will answer him (יענהו – ya‘anehu):

  • From the verb ענה (‘anah), to answer, respond, reply. The future tense implies the absolute certainty that God will respond positively to the king’s plea and supplication, demonstrating His attentiveness to the prayers of His chosen one.

• from His holy heaven (משׁמי קדשׁו – mish’shamay qodesho):

  • His holy heaven (שׁמי קדשׁו – shamay qodesho): Heaven is God's dwelling place, transcendent and supreme. The addition of "holy" (קדשׁ – qodesh) underscores its pure, separated, and majestic nature. It emphasizes that God acts from a position of ultimate purity, power, and authority.

• With the saving strength (בגבורות ישׁע – bigvurot yesha‘):

  • With the saving strength (בגבורות ישׁע – bigvurot yesha‘): The term gevurot (גבורות) is the plural of gevurah (גבורה), meaning "strength," "might," or "mighty acts." The plural often denotes abundance, intensity, or multitude of powerful deeds. Joined with yesha‘ (ישׁע – salvation/deliverance), it signifies the powerful, mighty acts that result in deliverance or salvation. It's not just strength, but strength applied for rescue and victory.

• of His right hand (ימינו – yemino):

  • The right hand is a common biblical anthropomorphism symbolizing power, authority, effective action, honor, and decisive might. It denotes the most potent and active limb, signifying God's direct, personal, and conquering power in action, bringing about salvation and triumph.

Words-group analysis:

• "Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed": This phrase marks a declarative shift in the psalm from petition to absolute certainty. It's a confident theological affirmation by the worshipers or priests that God's character dictates His action: He will always deliver His divinely appointed ruler. This confidence is rooted in God's faithfulness and previous acts of salvation.
• "He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand": This powerfully connects God’s transcendental abode (holy heaven) with His immanent, effective action on earth through His mighty right hand. It describes not just an answer to prayer, but a powerful, active, and victorious intervention by God's irresistible might. It paints a picture of God stretching forth His omnipotent arm from heaven to secure victory for His chosen one.

Psalm 20 6 Bonus section

The shift from prayer to confident declaration in Psalm 20:6 signifies a theological understanding of God's character and covenant faithfulness. It implies that true prayer is not merely asking, but also receiving assurance. This collective pronouncement of certainty served to bolster the faith of the entire congregation as well as the king himself. The belief that God hears from "His holy heaven" counters any notion that God is distant or indifferent; rather, He is actively engaged. The emphasis on "His right hand" resonates throughout Scripture, consistently portraying God's dominant and conquering power against all adversaries. This confidence becomes a source of great encouragement, teaching that despite immediate circumstances, believers can rest assured in the Lord’s unwavering commitment to deliver those He has chosen and anointed for His purposes.

Psalm 20 6 Commentary

Psalm 20:6 stands as a bold declaration of faith in the midst of supplication. After praying for the king, the congregation, or a priestly voice, makes an unshakeable affirmation: "Now I know." This is not a hesitant hope, but a settled conviction rooted in understanding God's nature as YHWH, the covenant-keeping God. They are certain that YHWH will save His anointed one, the king, who represents God's people. This salvation comes directly from God's "holy heaven," emphasizing His transcendent authority and purity, yet it is manifested through His powerful and active "right hand," symbolizing His direct, irresistible, and effective might. The "saving strength" underscores the complete and victorious nature of God’s intervention. This verse served not only as an assurance for the Davidic king in battle but also as a profound anticipation of the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus the Messiah, whose salvation and victory over sin and death are secured by God’s mighty power, evidenced in His resurrection and exaltation to God’s right hand. It calls believers to confident trust in God's saving power, knowing He acts on behalf of His chosen people.