Psalm 20 8

Psalm 20:8 kjv

They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

Psalm 20:8 nkjv

They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright.

Psalm 20:8 niv

They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

Psalm 20:8 esv

They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.

Psalm 20:8 nlt

Those nations will fall down and collapse,
but we will rise up and stand firm.

Psalm 20 verses

Psalm 20 8 Meaning

Psalm 20:8 proclaims a powerful contrast: the adversaries, who trust in their own might, are brought to their knees and ultimately fall, while those who trust in the Lord rise up and stand firm. It is a triumphant declaration of the certain downfall of human-centered strength and the enduring victory of those who rely on the divine power of the God of Israel. This verse assures the people of God that their confidence in Him will be vindicated through His delivering action, establishing them securely in the face of all opposition.

Psalm 20 8 Context

Psalm 20 is a psalm of supplication and confidence offered communally, likely preceding a military conflict. It functions as a liturgical prayer or blessing for the king, probably David, before he goes into battle. The verses leading up to verse 8 detail the prayer offered for the king (vv. 1-5), the assurance that God will answer (v. 6), and then a crucial comparison of trust in human power versus divine power (v. 7). Verse 8 serves as the triumphant conclusion to this comparison, declaring the outcome: those relying on worldly strength will fail, but those relying on the Lord will endure and succeed. This context highlights the communal nature of the faith and the belief in Yahweh's direct intervention in Israel's affairs. Historically, ancient Near Eastern kings often relied heavily on chariots and horses, the advanced military technology of the day. This psalm offers a powerful polemic against such trust, asserting the superiority of Yahweh's divine might over all human and material strength.

Psalm 20 8 Word analysis

• הֵמָּה (Hemah): "They"
  • Significance: This pronoun emphatically points to "the others," the adversaries mentioned implicitly and explicitly through the context, especially those described in Psalm 20:7 as trusting in chariots and horses. It creates a stark dichotomy between the enemy and "us."
• כָּרְעוּ (kare'u): "are brought to their knees," "have knelt"
  • Meaning: From the verb kara, meaning "to bend the knee," "to kneel," "to bow down." Here in the Qal perfect, it denotes a completed action resulting in a state of kneeling.
  • Significance: Implies physical collapse, submission, or surrender in battle. It's a position of weakness and defeat, often associated with acknowledging a superior power or simply succumbing to exhaustion or injury.
• וְנָפָלוּ (v'nafalu): "and fall," "have fallen"
  • Meaning: From the verb naphal, meaning "to fall down," "to prostrate oneself," "to collapse," or "to die." Here in the Qal perfect.
  • Significance: Reinforces the completeness of the defeat initiated by kare'u. It suggests a total, irreversible collapse—a prostrate position signifying utter humiliation, incapacity, or even destruction. The combination of "kneel" and "fall" portrays comprehensive and debilitating defeat.
• וַאֲנַחְנוּ (va'anachnu): "but we," "and we"
  • Significance: The strong disjunctive conjunction "and" (wa) followed by the emphatic first-person plural pronoun "we" (anachnu) introduces a direct and absolute contrast. It shifts the focus completely to the fate of those who trust in God.
• קַמְנוּ (qamnu): "rise up," "have risen"
  • Meaning: From the verb qum, meaning "to rise," "to stand up," "to arise." Here in the Qal perfect.
  • Significance: This is the direct opposite of naphal ("fall"). It signifies regaining one's footing, being restored, resurrected from a state of defeat, or actively standing strong. It denotes renewed vigor and an upright posture of readiness and strength.
• וַנִּתְעוֹדָד (va'nith'odad): "and stand firm," "are strengthened," "are encouraged"
  • Meaning: From the Hithpael of the root `wd or `adad, meaning "to rouse oneself," "to strengthen oneself," "to be encouraged," or "to stand firmly/be supported."
  • Significance: This verb adds depth beyond simply "rising." It suggests an internal or divinely granted strengthening and resilience, leading to a sustained and steadfast position. It implies not just standing up, but standing firmly, being made steady, being restored in spirit and vigor, suggesting enduring confidence and divine enablement that prevents further collapse. It is an active state of empowered endurance, signifying the sustained victory and unwavering posture that comes from God's aid.

Psalm 20 8 Bonus section

The confidence expressed in Psalm 20:8, particularly in the prophetic perfect tense, underlines a crucial aspect of faith: certainty in God's future action even when current circumstances might seem bleak. It moves beyond a mere hope into an established reality in the divine mind. The phrase "stand firm" (especially va'nith'odad) can also carry the connotation of encouraging oneself or being actively encouraged, implying an inward strengthening that aligns with the outward act of standing. This spiritual encouragement is vital in trials and reinforces the idea that resilience for God's people is both a gift from God and a posture chosen in faith. This declaration from a communal prayer (the "we") highlights the shared experience of divine help among God's people, solidifying their collective identity rooted in trust in Yahweh.

Psalm 20 8 Commentary

Psalm 20:8 provides the climactic resolution to the psalm's central theological tension: where does true power for victory reside? The verse succinctly illustrates the inevitable fate of two opposing worldviews: reliance on human resources versus faith in the Almighty. The use of past tense verbs for both "they" and "we" reflects a prophetic perfect, where the outcome is so certain that it is spoken of as already accomplished. "They," representing all who oppose God's purposes and trust in their own strength, meet total incapacitation and humiliation. In stark contrast, "we"—God's people who acknowledge His supreme power (as in verse 7's "name of the Lord")—experience an active restoration and enduring stability. This is not mere survival but an empowered standing, secured by divine enablement. It is a timeless declaration of the principle that genuine and lasting victory comes not from chariots or horses, but from the unwavering presence and power of the Lord. The verse serves as a source of profound confidence and assurance for believers facing any form of adversity, reminding them that God’s steadfast hand upholds His faithful people while bringing down their proud adversaries.