What is chabad psalm 20?

Psalm 20 is a short prayer of five verses composed by King David, asking God to answer and protect His anointed one in times of distress. In Chabad (and broader Jewish) practice, Psalm 20 holds a special daily liturgical role — it is recited every weekday as part of the morning prayer (Shacharit), specifically after the repetition of the Amidah.

Key Takeaways

Psalm 20 is a prayer for divine rescue and protection, attributed to King David [Psalms 20].
It opens with the verse "יַעַנְךָ יְהֹוָה בְּיוֹם צָרָה" — "May Hashem answer you on the day of distress" [Psalms 20:2].
The Talmud connects this psalm to the 18 blessings of the Amidah, as it follows the first 18 Psalms and represents the communal response to David's prayer [Jerusalem Talmud, Taanit 2:2].
In Chabad and Ashkenaz liturgy, Psalm 20 appears in the Shacharit service and also in Selichot prayers [Siddur Ashkenaz, Fast of Gedalia 261].
It expresses a core Torah theme: trust in God rather than in human military might.

The Text of Psalm 20

The Psalm opens:

"יַֽעַנְךָ֣ יְ֭הֹוָה בְּי֣וֹם צָרָ֑ה יְ֝שַׂגֶּבְךָ֗ שֵׁ֤ם אֱלֹהֵ֬י יַעֲקֹֽב" "May Hashem answer you on the day of distress; may the name of the God of Jacob fortify you." [Psalms 20:2]

The Psalm proceeds to ask that God:

Send help from the Sanctuary (Kodesh) and support from Zion
Remember all one's offerings and sacrifices
Grant the desires of one's heart
Bring salvation through His anointed king (Mashiach)

It concludes with a powerful declaration of faith:

"אֵ֣לֶּה בָ֭רֶכֶב וְאֵ֣לֶּה בַסּוּסִ֑ים וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ בְּשֵׁם־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ נַזְכִּֽיר" "These [trust] in chariots and these in horses, but we mention the name of Hashem our God." [Psalms 20:8]

The Talmudic Connection to the Amidah

One of the most significant teachings about Psalm 20 is found in the Jerusalem Talmud:

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi taught that the 18 blessings of the daily Amidah correspond to the 18 Psalms from the beginning of Sefer Tehillim up to — but not including — Psalm 20 ("יענך ה' ביום צרה").

[Ohr LaYesharim on Jerusalem Talmud, Taanit 2:2]

The reasoning: those first 18 Psalms were David's prayer. Psalm 20 then represents the people's response — a blessing to David that God should answer his prayers. This is why the Amidah has 18 blessings (later expanded to 19), mirroring those 18 Psalms of petition.

Psalm 20 in the Chabad/Ashkenaz Siddur

The Siddur Ashkenaz (which forms the basis of Chabad liturgical practice) includes Psalm 20 in several contexts:

Daily Shacharit — recited on weekdays after the chazzan's repetition of the Amidah
Selichot — included in fast day and penitential prayers, where the verse "יְיָ הוֹשִׁיעָה הַמֶּלֶךְ יַעֲנֵנוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵנוּ" ("Hashem, save! May the King answer us on the day we call") is cited

[Siddur Ashkenaz, Fast of Gedalia 261]

Deeper Themes

Trust Over Military Power

The central mussar (ethical) message is the contrast between human reliance on physical strength versus faith in God. Chariots and horses represent worldly power; Israel's strength is the Name of God.

David as the Anointed King

The reference to "מְשִׁיחוֹ" (His anointed one) in verse 7 links to David's identity as described in his final words: "נְאֻם הַגֶּבֶר הֻקַם עָל מְשִׁיחַ אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב" — "the word of the man raised up, anointed of the God of Jacob" [II Samuel 23:1]. This gives Psalm 20 a Messianic dimension — it applies both to David historically and to the ultimate redemption.

The "God of Jacob"

The specific phrase "אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב" (God of Jacob) appears both in Psalm 20:2 and in the Siddur [Siddur Ashkenaz, Fast of Gedalia 261]. The Talmud notes that Jacob represents the Patriarch who faced the most personal distress — exile, family strife, physical danger — making him the paradigm of one who cries out to God and is answered.

For personal guidance on liturgical practice, consult your local rabbi or posek.