Single lesson
Psalm 20: The Day of Trouble
Psalms 20:1–9
Psalm 20 is a prayer-song for a day of trouble. It asks Yahweh to help, support and save, and it contrasts trust in military strength with trust in the name of Yahweh.
Before you teach
This passage is presented as poetry and song. In these verses, speakers pray for Yahweh to answer, help and accept offerings, then express confidence that Yahweh saves his anointed. The psalm ends with a direct cry for Yahweh to save and answer when called.
Describe the central teaching of Psalm 20: The Day of Trouble, using two details from the reading. Psalm 20 teaches that in trouble, God’s people ask Yahweh for help and place their trust in his saving power rather than human strength.
Welcome: Psalm 20: The Day of Trouble
4 minIntroduce “The Day of Trouble” and locate Psalms 20:1–9. Psalm 20 teaches that in trouble, God’s people ask Yahweh for help and place their trust in his saving power rather than human strength. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Psalms 20:1, Psalms 20:5, Psalms 20:9
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe psalm opens with repeated requests: may Yahweh answer, protect, help and support. “The day of trouble” shows need, and “the name of the God of Jacob” points to who God is. Help is asked for “from the sanctuary” and support “from Zion”, keeping the prayer centred on Yahweh.
The voice shifts to “we”. The people say they will triumph in God’s salvation and set up banners in God’s name. This is followed by confidence: “Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed.” The saving strength comes from Yahweh’s “right hand” and from his “holy heaven”.
The clearest contrast comes near the end. Some trust in chariots and horses, but the singers trust in the name of Yahweh. The result is also contrasted: “They are bowed down and fallen, but we rise up, and stand upright.” The psalm closes with another direct call for Yahweh to save and answer.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The Day of Trouble”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Psalms 20:1, Psalms 20:2, Psalms 20:5, Psalms 20:6, Psalms 20:7, Psalms 20:8, Psalms 20:9
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What does the psalm ask Yahweh to do in the day of trouble?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Psalm 20 teaches that in trouble, God’s people ask Yahweh for help and place their trust in his saving power rather than human strength. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Psalms 20:1, Psalms 20:2, Psalms 20:3, Psalms 20:4, Psalms 20:7, Psalms 20:8
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
9 minWork on “Psalm 20: The Day of Trouble: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The Day of Trouble” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Psalms 20:1, Psalms 20:5, Psalms 20:9
Closing: return to The Day of Trouble
3 minRevisit Psalms 20:1–9. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The Day of Trouble and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Psalms 20:1, Psalms 20:5, Psalms 20:9
Questions to explore
What does the psalm ask Yahweh to do in the day of trouble?
List the requests in the opening verses, such as answer, set you up on high, send help and grant support.
Psalms 20:1, Psalms 20:2
How does the psalm connect prayer with worship?
Notice that the prayer mentions offerings and sacrifice before speaking about heart’s desire and requests.
Psalms 20:3, Psalms 20:4
What contrast does the psalm make about trust, and what different outcomes follow?
Compare those who trust in chariots and horses with those who trust in the name of Yahweh, then observe the different results.
Psalms 20:7, Psalms 20:8
Make, think or respond
Psalm 20: The Day of Trouble: Words and images response sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A repeated word or image”, “Its verse reference”, “What it expresses”.
- Read Psalms 20:1–9. Use “The Day of Trouble” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Choose one image and add a short written response or a simple drawing. Explain how it connects with the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Psalm 20: The Day of Trouble connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use The Day of Trouble as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between The Day of Trouble and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Psalms 20:1–9. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 20
1 May Yahweh answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high,
2 send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion,
3 remember all your offerings, and accept your burned sacrifice. Selah.
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your counsel.
5 We will triumph in your salvation. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners. May Yahweh grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of Yahweh our God.
8 They are bowed down and fallen, but we rise up, and stand upright.
9 Save, Yahweh! Let the King answer us when we call!
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.