
Text -- Psalms 20:8 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
From their horses and chariots, to which they trusted.
That is, who trust in horses, &c.

Literally, "we have straightened ourselves up from our distress and fears."
Clarke: Psa 20:8 - -- They are brought down and fallen - They were so confident of victory that they looked upon it as already gained. They who trusted in their horses an...
They are brought down and fallen - They were so confident of victory that they looked upon it as already gained. They who trusted in their horses and chariots are bowed down, and prostrated on the earth: they are all overthrown

Clarke: Psa 20:8 - -- But we are risen - We who have trusted in the name of Jehovah are raised up from all despondency; and we stand upright - we shall conquer, and go on...
But we are risen - We who have trusted in the name of Jehovah are raised up from all despondency; and we stand upright - we shall conquer, and go on to conquer.
Calvin -> Psa 20:8
Calvin: Psa 20:8 - -- 8.They are bowed down It is probable that there is here pointed out, as it were with the finger, the enemies of Israel, whom God had overthrown, when...
8.They are bowed down It is probable that there is here pointed out, as it were with the finger, the enemies of Israel, whom God had overthrown, when they regarded no event as less likely to happen. There is contained in the words a tacit contrast between the cruel pride with which they had been lifted up for a time when they audaciously rushed forward to make havoc of all things on the one hand, and the oppression of the people of God on the other. The expression, to rise, is applied only to those who were before sunk or fallen; and, on the other hand, the expression, bowed down and fallen, is with propriety applied to those who were lifted up with pride and presumption. The prophet therefore teaches by the event, how much more advantageous it is for us to place all our confidence in God than to depend upon our own strength.
TSK -> Psa 20:8

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Psa 20:8
Barnes: Psa 20:8 - -- They are brought down and fallen - That is, those who trust in chariots and horses. The reference here is undoubtedly to the enemies against wh...
They are brought down and fallen - That is, those who trust in chariots and horses. The reference here is undoubtedly to the enemies against whom the king was about to wage war, and the language here is indicative of his certain conviction that they would be vanquished. So certain was he now of this that he could speak of it as if it were already done. "They "are"brought down."He sees them in anticipation prostrate and subdued; he goes forth to war with the certainty on his mind that this would occur. The word rendered "brought down"-
But we are risen, and stand upright - That is, he sees this in anticipation. He is certain of success and triumph. Depressed though we may now be, yet we are certain of victory.
Poole -> Psa 20:8
Poole: Psa 20:8 - -- They are brought down from their horses and chariots, to which they trusted. Heb. They bowed down , as being unable to stand longer, because of thei...
They are brought down from their horses and chariots, to which they trusted. Heb. They bowed down , as being unable to stand longer, because of their mortal wounds. Compare Jud 5:27 .
But we stand firmly upon our legs, and keep the field, as conquerors use to do.
Gill -> Psa 20:8
Gill: Psa 20:8 - -- They are brought down and fallen,.... These are they that rode in chariots and on horses, and trusted in them; who are brought down from their places ...
They are brought down and fallen,.... These are they that rode in chariots and on horses, and trusted in them; who are brought down from their places of honour and safety; and fall, not into the hands of their enemies, and into a low and mean estate, but to the ground by death; as also such who, being like Capernaum, lifted up to heaven with their own outward attainments, and think to get thither by them, are brought down to hell, and fall into the pit of corruption;
but we are risen, and stand upright; who remember the name of the Lord, and trust in him; the church is sometimes in a very low and depressed condition; it consists of a poor and an afflicted people, and who are persecuted by men; so the church has been under the Heathen Roman emperors, and under the Papacy, and will be as long as she is in the wilderness, and the witnesses prophesy in sackcloth; and especially when they will be slain, and their bodies lie on the earth unburied; but these shall rise and stand upright, and ascend to heaven; there will be a glorious state of the church; there will be a reviving of the interest of Christ, through the bringing in the fulness and forces of the Gentiles, and the conversion of the Jews; the dry bones will live again, and stand upon their feet, an exceeding great army; in those days the righteous will flourish and have abundance of peace and prosperity. This may also include the first resurrection, which the saints will have a part in; the dead in Christ will rise first, and will stand before the Lord with confidence, and not be ashamed; when the ungodly shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in, the congregation of the righteous; for though these words are expressed in the present tense, because of the certainty of them, they belong to future times; hence the following petitions.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Psa 20:8 Or “rise up and remain upright.” On the meaning of the Hitpolel of עוּד (’ud), see HALOT 795 s.v. I ע&...
Geneva Bible -> Psa 20:8
Geneva Bible: Psa 20:8 ( g ) They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
( g ) The worldlings who do not put their trust in God alone.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Psa 20:1-9
TSK Synopsis: Psa 20:1-9 - --1 The church blesses the king in his exploits;7 and expresses her confidence in God's succour.
MHCC -> Psa 20:1-9
MHCC: Psa 20:1-9 - --Even the greatest of men may be much in trouble. Neither the crown on the king's head, nor the grace in his heart, would make him free from trouble. E...
Matthew Henry -> Psa 20:6-9
Matthew Henry: Psa 20:6-9 - -- Here is, I. Holy David himself triumphing in the interest he had in the prayers of good people (Psa 20:6): " Now know I (I that pen the psalm know ...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Psa 20:6-8
Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 20:6-8 - --
(Heb.: 20:7-9) While Psa 20:2 were being sung the offering of the sacrifice was probably going on. Now, after a lengthened pause, there ascends a v...
Constable -> Psa 20:1-9; Psa 20:8
Constable: Psa 20:1-9 - --Psalm 20
Before a battle with an enemy, David found encouragement in the intercession of his people to t...
