Psalm 20

​The thing that strikes me about this psalm is the repetitious use of the word, may, used at the beginning of lines in more than half of the verses. Then, depending on your translation, used one last time in the final line of the psalm.

Written three weeks ago, I was happy with it until I reviewed it again for this post where it received a major line change and a few more word tweaks. Now, it might be done.

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Psalm 20

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

​May the LORD give you answers when you're in distress;
may the God served by Jacob protect you as well.
May the help from his temple provide you redress,
and come to your rescue from my Holy Hill.

May your gifts be remembered and held in regard;
may he favor the balm from your offerings' fire.
May he grant you the hopes and the dreams of your heart,
may he bring to fruition the plans you desire.

May we sing now with joy for your struggles are done,​
in the name of our God, raise our banner and voice!
May the LORD answer all your requests, one by one!
Now I know that the LORD saves the king of his choice.

He will answer from his holy heaven above,
with the power and strength of his mighty right hand.
Some trust chariots, some — its their horses they love,
but we trust in the LORD, in whose name do we stand. 

​When the nations collapse and they fall to their knees,
we'll be strong and rise up and stand firm through it all.
LORD, deliver the king all his earned victories!
May you hear us and answer that day when we call.

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​May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
(20:1 - NIV)

May the LORD send help from his temple and come to your rescue from Mount Zion.
(20:2 - CEV)

May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
(20:3 - NLT)

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.
(20:4 - NLT)

We will sing for joy over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
(20:5 - NASB)

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.
(20:6 - ESV)

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
(20:7 - NIV)

Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.
(20:8 - NLT)

LORD, give victory to the king! May he answer us on the day that we call.
(20:9 - CSB)

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​NIV: New International Version   •   CEV: Contemporary English Version   •   NLT: New Living Translation   •   NASB: New American Standard Bible   •   ESV: English Standard Version   •   CSB: Christian Standard Bible