Page:04.BCOT.KD.PoeticalBooks.vol.4.Writings.djvu/311

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present and again assumes the form of an intercessory desire.

Verses 6-8

Psa 20:6-8 (Hebrew_Bible_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 voice, probably the voice of one of the Levites, expressing the cheering assurance of the gracious acceptance of the offering that has been presented by the priest. With עתּה or ועתּה, the usual word to indicate the turning-point, the instantaneous entrance of the result of some previous process of prolonged duration, whether hidden or manifest (e.g., 1Ki 17:24; Isa 29:22), is introduced. howshiya` is the perfect of faith, which, in the certainty of being answered, realises the fulfilment in anticipation. The exuberance of the language in Psa 20:7 corresponds to the exuberance of feeling which thus finds expression.
In Psa 20:3 the answer is expected out of Zion, in the present instance it is looked for from God's holy heavens; for the God who sits enthroned in Zion is enthroned for ever in the heavens. His throne on earth is as it were the vestibule of His heavenly throne; His presence in the sanctuary of Israel is no limitation of His omnipresence; His help out of Zion is the help of the Celestial One and Him who is exalted above the heaven of heavens. גּבוּרות does not here mean the fulness of might (cf. Psa 90:10), but the displays of power (Psa 106:2; Psa 145:4; Psa 150:2; Psa 63:1-11 :15), by which His right hand procures salvation, i.e., victory, for the combatant. The glory of Israel is totally different from that of the heathen, which manifests itself in boastful talk. In Psa 20:8 הזכּירוּ or יזכּירוּ must be supplied from the נזכּיר in Psa 20:8 (lxx μεγαλυνθησόμεθα = נגביר, Psa 12:5); הזכּיר בּ, to make laudatory mention of any matter, to extol, and indirectly therefore to take credit to one's self for it, to boast of it (cf. הלּל בּ, Psa 44:9). According to the Law Israel was forbidden to have any standing army; and the law touching the king (Deu 17:16) speaks strongly against his keeping many horses. It was also the same under the judges, and at this time under David; but under Solomon, who acquired for himself horses and chariots in great number (1Ki 10:26-29), it was very different. It is