Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 20:1

"Jehovah answer thee in the day of trouble; The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;" — Psalms 20:1 (ASV)

Day of trouble ... God of Jacob. —This certainly recalls the patriarch’s words (Genesis 35:3), I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress. The “name” alone of the God of Jacob was a safeguard to the people, called after their great forefather “Israel.” So even under the shadow of the greatness of human monarchs and heroes whole peoples have often felt secure and strong, using no other weapon but his name.

Defend you. —Better, set you up on high (Psalms 91:14), as in a fortress, out of the reach of foes.