Psalm 20: Powerful Prayer for Help in Days of Sorrow

Psalms 20 Segulot: in the Book of Psalms (Tehillim) is known as a powerful spiritual remedy (Segulah) to be saved from legal judgments, trials, workplace disputes, and any trouble or distress that may arise.

Psalm 20

For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

May Adonai answer you in the day of trouble; may the Name of Elohei Ya'akov protect you.

May He send you help from the Sanctuary, and support you from Zion.

May He remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifices, Selah.

May He grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill all your counsel and plans.

We will sing for joy in Your salvation, and in the Name of Eloheinu we will raise our banners; may Adonai fulfill all your requests.

Now I know that Adonai saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we mention the Name of Adonai Eloheinu.

They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm.

Adonai , save us! May the King answer us on the day we call.

When to Recite Psalm 20 and Who Should Say It?

Spiritual Virtues (Segulot) of Psalm 20

For a Loved One in Distress: If you have a friend or relative in trouble—even if they are far away and you cannot physically assist them—recite this prayer with deep intention (Kavanah) on their behalf (Rabbi Yaakov Meir Schechter, Tehillim Yeshuot Esa).
Mitigating Harsh Judgments: Psalm 20 is particularly effective for sweetening and softening spiritual judgments (She'elot U'Tshuvot).
For a Penitent (Ba'al Teshuva): Reciting this psalm helps remove spiritual impurities (Klipot) (Sha'ar HaKodesh, 9b).
To Prevent Miscarriage: Both husband and wife should recite this psalm every night before going to sleep (Sha'ar HaKodesh, 31b).
For Difficult Labor and Childbirth: Excellent for a woman experiencing difficult labor (Limudei HaAtzilut; Emek HaMelech, Ch. 17, based on the Zohar). For this purpose:
- Recite the psalm 9 times, saying after each time:
  "He who answered your mother in her distress during childbirth, may He answer you." (Rabbi Yosef Hayyun commentary on Psalms, citing Midrash Shocher Tov and Rephael HaMalach)
- Some sources recommend reciting it 12 times (Sansan L'Yair, Letter 4).
Intention is Key: The essential practice is to recite the psalm with deep concentration and true understanding of its meaning.
Segulah for Legal Matters: According to Sefer Shimush Tehillim, Psalm 20 is beneficial when facing trial or judgment. Mix rose oil, water, and salt 7 times, recite the psalm over it, wash your face and hands, and sprinkle a little on your clothes to be saved from trouble. The Holy Name associated with this psalm is יהו (י from Ya’ancha, ה from Selah, ו from Kora’enu).

Psalms Chapter 20 – Hebrew, Transliteration, and English Translation

{א} לַמְנַצֵּחַ מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד:

Transliteration: Lamnatze'ach Mizmor L'David.

English Translation: For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

{ב} יַעַנְךָ יְהוָה בְּיוֹם צָרָה יְשַׂגֶּבְךָ שֵׁם אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב:

Transliteration: Ya'ancha Adonai B'yom Tzarah, Yesagvecha Shem Elohei Ya'akov.

English Translation: May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

{ג} יִשְׁלַח עֶזְרְךָ מִקֹּדֶשׁ וּמִצִּיּוֹן יִסְעָדֶךָּ:

Transliteration: Yishlach Ezrecha MiKodesh, U'miTzion Yis'adeka.

English Translation: May He send you help from the Sanctuary, and support you from Zion.

{ד} יִזְכֹּר כָּל מִנְחֹתֶךָ וְעוֹלָתְךָ יְדַשְּׁנֶה סֶלָה:

Transliteration: Yizkor Kol Minchotecha, V'olatecha Yedashneh Selah.

English Translation: May He remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifices, Selah.

{ה} יִתֶּן לְךָ כִלְבָבֶךָ וְכָל עֲצָתְךָ יְמַלֵּא:

Transliteration: Yiten Lecha Chilvavecha, V'chol Atzatcha Yemalei.

English Translation: May He grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill all your plans.

{ו} נְרַנְּנָה בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ וּבְשֵׁם אֱלֹהֵינוּ נִדְגֹּל יְמַלֵּא יְהוָה כָּל מִשְׁאֲלוֹתֶיךָ:

Transliteration: Nerannena BiShuatecha U'vshem Eloheinu Nidgol, Yemalei Adonai Kol Mish'alotecha.

English Translation: We will sing for joy in your salvation, and raise our banners in the name of our God; may the LORD fulfill all your requests.

{ז} עַתָּה יָדַעְתִּי כִּי הוֹשִׁיעַ יְהוָה מְשִׁיחוֹ יַעֲנֵהוּ מִשְּׁמֵי קָדְשׁוֹ בִּגְבֻרוֹת יֵשַׁע יְמִינוֹ:

Transliteration: Atah Yada'ti Ki Hoshia Adonai Meschicho, Ya'anehu Mishmei Kodsho BiGvurot Yesha Yemino.

English Translation: Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.

{ח} אֵלֶּה בָרֶכֶב וְאֵלֶּה בַסּוּסִים וַאֲנַחְנוּ בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ נַזְכִּיר:

Transliteration: Eleh VaRechev V'eleh VaSusim, Va'anachnu B'shem Adonai Eloheinu Nazkir.

English Translation: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

{ט} הֵמָּה כָּרְעוּ וְנָפָלוּ וַאֲנַחְנוּ קַּמְנוּ וַנִּתְעוֹדָד:

Transliteration: Hemail Kare'u V'nafalu, Va'anachnu Kamnu VaNit'odad.

English Translation: They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm.

{י} יְהוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה הַמֶּלֶךְ יַעֲנֵנוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵנוּ:

Transliteration: Adonai Hoshi'ah, HaMelech Ya'anenu B'yom Kore'enu.

English Translation: LORD, save us! May the King answer us on the day we call.

Verse-by-Verse Commentary & Meaning

King David composed this psalm in his later years when sending his officers into battle. Unable to join them personally, he prayed on their behalf—and in the merit of this Psalm, they were victorious.

According to the Tikkunei Zohar (67b), Psalm 20 contains 70 words, corresponding to the 70 heavenly princes of the nations. The Vilna Gaon (GR"A) notes that these 70 words also correspond to the 70 years of the birth pangs of the Messiah (Chevlei Mashiach).

Furthermore, teachings from Likutey Moharan explain that just as a woman in labor cries out 70 times, earning a livelihood is twice as difficult. Therefore, praying this psalm is also a spiritual remedy for livelihood and income (Parnassah). Before any soul merits divine revelation in Torah and worship, it undergoes refinement through the trial of the 70 nations' desires.

Key Interpretations

For the Leader (Lamnatze'ach):
Refers to the musical instruments played by the Levites in the Holy Temple. In Hasidic thought, Lamnatze'ach refers to anyone striving to conquer (L'natze'ach) the evil inclination (Yetzer Hara) and draw closer to God.
A Psalm of David (Mizmor L'David):
Dedicated to King David, or spiritually, to anyone seeking to elevate the Kingship of Heaven out of darkness and spiritual impurity.
May the Lord Answer You in the Day of Trouble (Ya'ancha Hashem B'yom Tzarah):
May God accept your prayers when you cry out to Him from the depths of your heart.
May the Name of the God of Jacob Fortify You (Yesagvecha Shem Elohei Ya'akov):
Jacob represents the divine light of intellect that illuminates even the darkest times.
May He Send Your Help From the Sanctuary (Yishlach Ezrecha MiKodesh):
Divine assistance drawn from holy wisdom, enabling your prayer to be accepted.
And Support You From Zion (U'miTzion Yis'adeka):
Zion (Jerusalem) is the source of divine abundance, providing the clarity, counsel, and strength to stand firm and overcome challenges.
May He Remember All Your Offerings (Yizkor Kol Minchotecha):
Trust that God remembers your good deeds, charity (Tzedakah), and acts of loving-kindness.
And Accept Your Burnt Sacrifice (V'olatecha Yedashneh Selah):
May He favor your devotion continuously (Selah).
May He Grant You According to Your Heart's Desire (Yiten Lecha Chilvavecha):
Granting you the strength to defeat spiritual and physical adversaries.
And Fulfill All Your Counsel (V'chol Atzatcha Yemalei):
Fulfilling your pure intentions, thoughts, and prayers.
We Will Rejoice in Your Salvation (Nerannena BiShuatecha):
Giving thanks to God, recognizing that all deliverance comes from Him.
And in the Name of Our God We Will Raise Our Banner (U'vshem Eloheinu Nidgol):
Elevating God’s name in victory, rather than attributing success to human strength alone.
Now I Know That the Lord Has Saved His Anointed (Atah Yada'ti…):
God saves all who trust in Him, answering them beyond the limits of nature and astrology (Above Nature).
Some Trust in Chariots and Some in Horses (Eleh VaRechev…):
While others rely on human wisdom or physical power, the Jewish people rely solely on prayer and faith in God.
They Have Kneeled and Fallen, But We Have Risen and Stand Upright (Hemail Kare'u…):
Those lacking faith fall alongside their pride, while those who pray to God are uplifted.
O Lord, Save! May the King Answer Us on the Day We Call (Hashem Hoshi'ah…):
A final plea revealing God's absolute sovereignty over the universe, answering our prayers above natural logic.