What does Psalms Chapter 19 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

The prayer wishes protection, help, remembrance of sacrifices and fulfilled petitions for the king. The speakers contrast reliance on chariots and horses with calling God’s name. Future hearing and rejoicing do not establish a specific battle scene.

Chapter breakdown

The Latin incipit is Exaudiat te Dominus. The separate heading identifies a prayer for the king; the inscription is unto the end, for David. The psalm wishes that the Lord hear in tribulation, Jacob's God's name protect, help come from the sanctuary and defense from Sion. It wishes remembrance of all sacrifices and that the burnt sacrifice be made fat, gifts according to the heart and confirmation of counsels. These are wishes, not reported preparations on an identified eve of battle.

The speakers say they will rejoice in salvation and be exalted in God's name, asking fulfillment of petitions. The speaker now knows the Lord saved His anointed and says He will hear from holy heaven; salvation of His right hand is in powers. The separate note interprets powers as strength for those believing in Him. Some trust chariots and some horses, while the speakers call on the Lord's name. They say those were bound and fell while they rose upright. The prayer ends asking the Lord to save the king and hear on the day they will call. It gives no banners, named enemy army or campaign logistics.

The story inside

Opening: The prayer wishes protection, help, remembrance of sacrifices and fulfilled petitions for the king. Development: The speakers contrast reliance on chariots and horses with calling God’s name. Conclusion: Future hearing and rejoicing do not establish a specific battle scene.

Lessons worth keeping

1
The prayer wishes protection, help, remembrance of sacrifices and fulfilled petitions for the king.
2
The speakers contrast reliance on chariots and horses with calling God’s name.
3
Future hearing and rejoicing do not establish a specific battle scene.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 58786–58787
May the Lord hear thee in the day of tribulation: may the name of the God of Jacob protect thee.
Lines 58789–58790
May he send thee help from the sanctuary: and defend thee out of Sion.
Lines 58795–58796
May he give thee according to thy own heart; and confirm all thy counsels.
Lines 58798–58799
We will rejoice in thy salvation; and in the name of our God we shall be exalted.
Lines 58801–58803
The Lord fulfil all thy petitions: now have I known that the Lord hath saved his anointed. He will hear him from his holy heaven: the salvation of his right hand is in powers.
Lines 58808–58809
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will call upon the name of the Lord, our God.
Lines 58811–58813
They are bound, and have fallen: but we are risen, and are set upright. O Lord, save the king: and hear us in the day that we shall call upon thee.