We continue to study Psalm 20, what a prayer it is!
Today’s verse is an extension of yesterday’s. Let me show you what I mean. “They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” Psalm 20:8
One can’t help but wonder, “Who are brought low? Who have fallen?”
This is a good example of the necessity of studying the Bible, any paragraph of literature for that matter, in “context.” In its “setting.” Noticing its “surrounding” data.
So, while focusing on verse 8, I must also reprint verse 7 as well. To get the continuity of the thought. Of the “victory” being observed.
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” Psalm 20:7-8
Those who unwisely trust in chariots and horses (anything but God) will ultimately “fall!” And “we” who remember God’s name shall “rise” and “stand upright.”
Now … to focus more clearly on our precise text. A “complex” sentence by grammatical definition.
“They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” Psalm 20:8
They who do not trust God “are brought down.” The Hebrew verb is “kara,” unusual indeed. It means “to sink down to one’s knees!” I thought the verb would be “passive” voice. But not so. They simply (I’m assuming) lose strength and buckle at the knees!
They also “are fallen,” those not leaning on the Lord. This verb is spelled “naphal,” occasionally meaning “to become inferior!” (Sort of reminds me of Psalm 75:6-7. “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.)
Our verse is beautifully “parallel,” too.
Look at its two “lines:”
“They are brought down and fallen.“
“We are risen, and stand upright.”
Wow!
But tell me about “us,” who do trust the Lord!
The verb “are risen” is “qum,” suggesting “being established, confirmed, set!” Here’s the idea from Psalm 90:17. “And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”
And we “stand upright,” spelled “ud” in Hebrew. This is an unusual translation of our word! Only occurring in the Old Testament 45 times, it is normally a courtroom term, “to testify or witness,” 21 times total. It’s “root” probably means “to go around again.” Inserting the idea of “stability” here.
A list of “double” blessings … for those who “remember” the name of the Lord our God!
Then for sure … THINK upon His Name today.
Besides all the foregoing … His Name is lovely!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell