Psalm 20

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This article is about Psalm 20 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 20 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 21.
Psalm 20
← Psalm 19
Biblia Hebraica Kttel Psalm 20-21.jpg
Psalms 20-21 in Biblia Hebraica Kittel (1909)
BookBook of Psalms
Hebrew Bible partKetuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
CategorySifrei Emet
Christian Bible partOld Testament
Order in the Christian part19

Psalm 20 is the 20th psalm of the Book of Psalms. It is internally attributed to King David. There are 9 verses. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 19. This psalm and the following one are closely related: they are both liturgical psalms: the first is an intercession, the second is a thanksgiving; in both, the king is the prominent figure.[1]

In the International Critical Commentary series, Charles and Emilie Briggs suggest that it was written during the reign of Jehoshaphat.[2]

Usage[]

In Jewish prayer[]

The 70 words in this psalm may reference the 70 years of exile between the first and second temples, or as suggested in the Zohar, the 70 cries of pain associated with child birth.[3] It has been inserted into daily prayer following the loss of the second temple to symbolize the somber period prior to the construction of the third temple.[4]

It is used in Jewish prayer in several ways:

  • The psalm is recited in its entirety as a part of daily prayer (except on Shabbat, Yom Tov, Rosh Chodesh, Chol Hamoed, Tisha B'Av, Hanukkah, Purim, Shushan Purim, the 14th and 15th of Adar I, and the days before Yom Kippur and Passover). In this context it is known as Lamenatzeiach (the first word of the psalm in Hebrew), and is recited between Ashrei and Uva Letziyon toward the end of Shacharit.
  • Verses 2 and 10 are part of the opening paragraph of the long Tachanun recited on Mondays and Thursdays.[5]
  • Verse 10 is the 11th verse of V'hu Rachum in Pesukei Dezimra,[6] is the final verse of Yehi Kivod in Pesukei Dezimra,[7] is found in Uva Letzion,[8] is the second of two verses recited as an introduction at Maariv,[9] and is part of Havdalah.[10]
  • It is also considered appropriate to recite in times of stress, such as labor.[3]

Book of Common Prayer[]

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the morning of the fourth day of the month.[11]

Musical settings[]

This psalm was set to music in 1688 by Michel-Richard de Lalande, as a grand motet (S.36, music lost). André Campra set one grand motet. Marc-Antoine Charpentier set around 1670 one "Exaudiat te Dominus", H.162 for soloists, double chorus, double orchestra (flutes and strings), and continuo, around 1675 one "Prière pour le Roi" H.165 for 3 voices, 2 treble instruments, and continuo. At the beginning of 1680s, he set another one, "Exaudiat pour le Roi à 4", H.180, ( H.180 a, H.180 b, 1690) for soloists, chorus, and continuo. Henry Desmarest set one grand motet "Exaudiat te Dominus".

References[]

  1. ^ Kirkpatrick, A. F., (1906), Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Psalm 20, accessed 10 October 2021
  2. ^ Charles Augustus Briggs; Emilie Grace Briggs (1960) [1906]. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms. International Critical Commentary. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: T & T Clark. p. 176.
  3. ^ a b Barenblat, Rachel. "Psalm 20: a psalm for childbirth". VelveteenRabbi. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  4. ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 152
  5. ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 125
  6. ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 62
  7. ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 66
  8. ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 157
  9. ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 257
  10. ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 619
  11. ^ Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 196ff

External links[]

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