Psalms 20:2 — Word Study
WLCיִשְׁלַֽח־ עֶזְרְךָ֥ מִקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וּ֝מִצִּיּ֗וֹן יִסְעָדֶֽךָּ׃
BSAto dwellʻânâh The LordYᵉhôvâh dayyôwm dearthtsârâh to exaltsâgab nameshêm Godʼĕlôhîym JacobYaʻăqôb
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִשְׁלַֽח־ | may he send | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| עֶזְרְךָ֥ | help your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| מִקֹּ֑דֶשׁ | from [the] sanctuary | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וּ֝מִצִּיּ֗וֹן | and from Zion | Conjunction, preposition, noun proper |
| יִסְעָדֶֽךָּ׃ | may he support you | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion. |
| KJV | Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; |
| ASV | Send thee help from the sanctuary, And strengthen thee out of Zion; |
| YLT | He doth send thy help from the sanctuary, And from Zion doth support thee, |
| WEB | send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion, |
| BBE | May he send you help from the holy place, and give you strength from Zion; |
Where they part company is יִשְׁלַֽח־ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence features a main clause with two prepositional phrases indicating sources of help, followed by a supporting clause that expresses a wish for God's assistance.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָנָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 20:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Prayer for Helpgenerated
Psalm 20:2 is part of a prayer where the psalmist seeks God's assistance in times of trouble. The preceding verse invokes God's protection, and the following verses express hope for divine favor and success. This psalm reflects a communal desire for God's intervention, particularly during challenges faced by the people of Israel.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 73:17 | until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 6:16 | He partitioned off the twenty cubits at the rear of the temple with cedar boards from floor to ceiling to form within the temple an inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. |
| 3 | 1 Kings 8:44–45 | When Your people go to war against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD in the direction of the city You have chosen and the house I have built for Your Name, |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 20:8–9 | They have lived in the land and have built in it a sanctuary for Your Name, saying, |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 5:7 | Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יִשְׁלַֽח־, yish.lach-generated
The verb שָׁלַח (shalach) means 'to send' and is used here in the imperfect tense, indicating a wish or desire for action. The psalmist is asking God to send help, emphasizing the need for divine support in difficult times.
This verb can encompass various meanings, including sending away or letting go. In this context, it conveys a request for God to dispatch aid from His holy dwelling, highlighting the sacredness of the source of help.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יִשְׁלַֽח־ governs the sentence, expressing a wish for God to send help. Two prepositional phrases follow, indicating the sources of this help: מִקֹּ֑דֶשׁ (from the sanctuary) and מִצִּיּ֗וֹן (from Zion).
This structure emphasizes the sources of divine support, with the verb leading the request and the prepositional phrases providing context for where the help is expected to come from.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יִשְׁלַֽח־ with ἐπακούσαι, which conveys a sense of hearing or responding. This choice suggests an interpretation of God not only sending help but also actively listening to the pleas of His people.
This rendering highlights the relationship between the supplicant and God, emphasizing that the divine response is attentive and engaged.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 20:2 is a prayer asking God to send help and support from His holy place, specifically the sanctuary and Zion. This reflects a deep trust in God's ability to provide assistance during difficult times.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Asking for help from the sanctuary signifies seeking divine assistance from God's holy presence, where He is worshipped and revered.
Zion represents the city of God and is often seen as a place of refuge and strength, symbolizing God's protection and presence among His people.
The verse expresses a communal prayer for divine aid, showing that the people collectively seek God's support during challenges.
The word 'help' emphasizes the need for divine intervention and support, highlighting God's role as a protector and sustainer.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to ask God for help and support?
- How can I remind myself of God's presence and assistance during difficult times?
- What does it mean to me to seek help from a sacred place?
- How can I support others in their times of need, reflecting the help I seek from God?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, using it to illustrate God's provision of help and defense from His holy place.
"Send You help from the Holy, and from Sion defend You" [Psalms 20:2].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 20 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 20:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSend thee help from the sanctuary,.... Meaning either from the tabernacle, the holy place, where was the ark, the symbol of the divine Presence; or rather heaven, the habitation of God's holiness
Read John Gill on Psalms 20 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySend thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Help ... out of Zion. The help sought is on the ground of God's covenant with His people, whereof the sanctuary on Zion is the pledge.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 20 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleFrom the sanctuary; either, 1. From heaven, as it is expressed, . Or rather, 2. From the tabernacle in Zion, as it is explained in the next words, where the ark then was; toward which the Israelites directed their prayers, and from which God heard and answered them.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 20 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 20:2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;Ver. 2. Send thee help from the sanctuary] Or, from his holy heaven, saith Tremellius; without which vain is the help of man. God is all the doer in battles; and whencesoever the sword comes, it is bathed in heaven, Isaiah 34:5, whatsoever Ajax, Timotheus Atheniensis, and other atheists think to the contrary: God will send from heaven and save me, saith holy David. And strengthen thee out of Zion] i.e. Out of the assemblies of the saints, where they are praying hard for thy welfare. See Psalms 76:2-3,
Read John Trapp on Psalms 20 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. Send thee help from the sanctuary] This was the place where God recorded his name; the place where he was to be sought, and the place where he manifested himself. He dwelt between the cherubim over the mercy-seat. He is now in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. This is the true sanctuary where God must be sought. Strengthen thee out of Zion] The temple or tabernacle where his prayers and sacrifices were to be offered.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 20 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. the sanctuary] Here, as the parallel out of Zion shews, the earthly sanctuary is meant. See notes on Psalms 3:4, Psalms 14:7; and cp. Psalms 20:6. strengthen] Lit. support; the same word as hath holden me up in Psalms 18:35.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 20 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSend thee help - Margin, thy help. So the Hebrew. The idea is, such help as he needed; such as would make him safe.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 20 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible2. Help from the sanctuary—The holy of holies of the tabernacle, where were the symbols of God, where the national expiation was made, and from whence the lively oracles proceeded.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 20 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion.
send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion,
May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion.
May he send you help from his temple; from Zion may he give you support!
Tyndale line
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
Send thee help from the sanctuary, And strengthen thee out of Zion;
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.
Send thee helpe from the Sanctuarie, and strengthen thee out of Zion.
Strictly literal
May he send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
He doth send thy help from the sanctuary, And from Zion doth support thee,
He sends your help from the sanctuary, || And supports you from Zion,
(20:3) May he send thee help from the sanctuary, and support thee from Zion;
and send help from the holy place to support you from Zion.
From the Latin
In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly.
Simplified
May the Lord send you help from the sanctuary, and may he support you from Zion.
May he send you help from the holy place, and give you strength from Zion;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in their wording for Psalm 20:2. All five words match in the Septuagint, confirming the consistency of this verse across traditions.
יִשְׁלַֽח־ עֶזְרְךָ֥ מִקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וּ֝מִצִּיּ֗וֹן יִסְעָדֶֽךָּ׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 20:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׁלַח (shalach) is a primitive root meaning 'to send' with a wide range of applications. It can refer to sending away, stretching out (especially a hand), or letting go. The entries indicate various forms, including sending off, casting out, and setting free. Notably, it can also imply divorce or being sent away in a marital context.
שָׁלַח 814 vb. send
Qal
send: human subj.
send: subj. י׳ (God)
stretch out, esp. acc. hand
rarely send away: human subj.
let loose
Niph. letters were sent
Pi.
send off, away, human subj.
send away, subj. י׳
give over
cast out
send out, forth
let go, set free
shoot forth branches
let down
shoot
Phrases
Pu. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
Hiph. and I (י׳) will send
base
H7971 שָׁלַח send .. send: human subj.
. send: subj. י׳ (God)
. stretch out, esp. acc. hand
. rarely send away: human subj.
. let loose
. letters were sent
. . send off, away, human subj.
. . send away, subj. י׳
. give over
. cast out
. send out, forth
. let go, set free
. shoot forth branches
. let down
. shoot
. Phrases
. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
. and I (י׳) will send
7971 shalach shaw-lakh'
a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great
variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the
way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give
(up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose),
push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send
(away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread,
stretch forth (out).
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: depart.
: depart/send
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled
1e) (Hiphil) to send
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: let go.
: let_go/free
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
HVqi3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
עֵ֫זֶר (ezer) means help or succour, referring to assistance or support. It can denote both the act of helping and a person who provides help. The term is derived from a root meaning to aid. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning as a source of assistance.
עֵ֫זֶר n.m. help, succour
help, succour
concr. = one who helps
base
H5828 עֵ֫זֶר help, succour
5828 `ezer ay'-zer
from 5826; aid:--help.
see HEBREW for 05826
עֵ֫זֶר (e.zer) — helper.
1) help, succour
1a) help, succour
1b) one who helps
HNcmsc/Sp2ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qodesh) refers to the concepts of apartness, sacredness, and holiness. It can denote a sacred place or thing, such as the Most Holy Place or a sanctuary. The term emphasizes the idea of being set apart, whether in relation to God, places, or objects.
קֹ֫דֶשׁ 469 n.m. apartness, sacredness
base
H6944 קֹ֫דֶשׁ apartness, sacredness
6944 qodesh ko'-desh
from 6942; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract,
sanctity:--consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed
(thing), holiness, (X most) holy (X day, portion, thing),
saint, sanctuary.
see HEBREW for 06942
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — holiness.
1) apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness
1a) apartness, sacredness, holiness
1a1) of God
1a2) of places
1a3) of things
1b) set-apartness, separateness
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — Most Holy Place.
This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness
Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Most Holy Place" G0039H)
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — (Way of) Holiness.
Combined with de.rekh (דֶּ֫רֶךְ "Way" H1870H)
This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — Holy Place.
This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness
Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
HR/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
sank'-tu-a-ri, sank'-tu-a-ri (miqdash, miqqedhash, qodhesh, "holy place"; hagion):
1. Nature of Article
2. The Graf-Wellhausen Hypothesis
The Three Stages
3. Difficulties of the Theory
(1) Slaughter Not Necessarily Sacrificial
(2) Sacrifice and Theophany
(3) Alleged Plurality of Sanctuaries
(4) The Altar of God's House
(5) Local Altars in Deuteronomy
4. The Alternative View
(1) Lay Sacrifice
(2) Three Pilgrimage Festivals
5. The Elephantine Papyri
The Elephantine Temple
LITERATURE
1. Nature of Article:
The present article is designed to supplement the articles on ALTAR; HIGH PLACE; PENTATEUCH; TABERNACLE; TEMPLE, by giving an outline of certain rival views of the course of law and history as regards the place of worship. The subject has a special importance because it was made the turning-point of Wellhausen's discussion of the development of Israel's literature, history and religion. He himself writes…
Sanctuary
Denotes, (1) the Holy Land (Ex. 15:17; comp. Ps. 114:2); (2) the temple (1 Chr. 22:19; 2 Chr. 29:21); (3) the tabernacle (Ex. 25:8; Lev. 12:4; 21:12); (4) the holy place, the place of the Presence (Gr. hieron, the temple-house; not the naos, which is the temple area, with its courts and porches), Lev. 4:6; Eph. 2:21, R.V., marg.; (5) God’s holy habitation in heaven (Ps. 102:19). In the final…
A holy place devoted to God. It appears to be the name sometimes of the entire temple, Ps 73.17; Heb 9.1; sometimes of the "Holy place," where the altar on incense, the golden candlestick, and the showbread stood, 2Ch 26:18 Heb 9:2; and sometimes of the "Holy of Holies," the most secret and retired part of the temple, in which was the ark of the covenant, and where none but the high priest might enter, and he only once a year on the day of solemn expiation. The same name was also given to the most sacred part of the tabernacle set up in the wilderness, Le 4:6. See TABERNACLE, and TEMPLE.
The temple or earthly sanctuary is an emblem of heaven, Ps 102:19
צִיּוֹן (Tsiyyôn) refers to Zion, often identified as a mountain in Jerusalem and a symbolic name for the city itself, particularly in prophetic contexts. The term is linked to the Hebrew word for Jerusalem and is noted for meaning 'parched place.' It is consistently recognized across lexicons as a proper noun.
צִיּוֹן 154 n.pr.loc. Ṣiyyôn, Zion
base
H6726 צִיּוֹן Ṣiyyôn, Zion
6726 Tsiyown tsee-yone'
the same (regularly) as 6725; Tsijon (as a permanent
capital), a mountain of Jerusalem:--Zion.
see HEBREW for 06725
צִיּוֹן (tsiy.yon) — Zion.
Zion = "parched place"
another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
HC/R/Npl — Conjunction · preposition · noun properHC/R/Npl
zi'-on (tsiyon; Sion):
1. Meaning of the Word
2. The Zion of the Jebusites
3. Zion of the Prophets
4. Zion in Later Poetical Writings and Apocrypha
5. Omission of Name by Some Writers
6. The Name "Zion" in Christian Times
LITERATURE
1. Meaning of the Word:
A name applied to Jerusalem, or to certain parts of it, at least since the time of David. Nothing certain is known of the meaning. Gesenius and others have derived it from a Hebrew root tsahah, "to be dry"; Delitzsch from tsiwwah, "to set up" and Wetzstein from tsin, "to protect." Gesenius finds a more hopeful suggestion in the Arabic equivalent cihw, the Arabic cahwat signifying "ridge of a mountain" or "citadel," which at any rate suitably applies to what we know to have been the original Zion (compare Smith, HGHL, under the word).
Zion
Sunny; height, one of the eminences on which Jerusalem was built. It was surrounded on all sides, except the north, by deep valleys, that of the Tyropoeon (q.v.) separating it from Moriah (q.v.), which it surpasses in height by 105 feet. It was the south-eastern hill of Jerusalem.
When David took it from the Jebusites (Josh. 15:63; 2 Sam. 5:7) he built on it a citadel and a palace, and it became “the city of David” (1 Kings 8:1; 2 Kings 19:21, 31; 1 Chr. 11:5). In the later books of the Old Testament this name was sometimes used (Ps. 87:2; 149:2;
[JERUSALEM]
monument; raised up; sepulcher
סָעַד (sa'ad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to support, sustain, or strengthen. It encompasses various forms of support, including emotional and physical, and is used in contexts like comforting or upholding. The Aramaic equivalent is סְעַד (H5583). There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
סָעַד vb. support, sustain, stay
base
H5582 סָעַד support, sustain, stay
5582 ca`ad saw-ad'
a primitive root; to suport (mostly figurative):--comfort,
establish, hold up, refresh self, strengthen, be upholden.
סָעַד (sa.ad) — to support.
1) to support, sustain, stay, establish, strengthen, comfort
1a) (Qal) to support, sustain
1a1) to sustain, stay (of heart)
1a2) to support, uphold (of throne)
Aramaic equivalent: se.ad (סְעַד "to support" H5583)
HVqi3ms/Sp2ms — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqi3ms/Sp2ms