Psalm 20 is the 20th psalm of the Book of Psalms. It is internally attributed to King David. In the International Critical Commentary series, Charles and Emilie Briggs suggest that it was written during the reign of Jehoshaphat.
The 70 words in this psalm may reference the 70 years of exile between the first and second temples, or as suggested in the Zohar, the 70 cries of pain associated with child birth. It has been inserted into daily prayer following the loss of the second temple to symbolize the somber period prior to the construction of the third temple.
It is used in Jewish prayer in several ways:
The psalm is recited in its entirety as a part of daily prayer (except on Shabbat, Yom Tov, Rosh Chodesh, Chol Hamoed, Tisha B'Av, Hanukkah, Purim, Shushan Purim, the 14th and 15th of Adar I, and the days before Yom Kippur and Passover). In this context it is known as Lamenatzeiach (the first word of the psalm in Hebrew), and is recited between Ashrei and Uva Letziyon toward the end of Shacharit.
Verses 2 and 10 are part of the opening paragraph of the long Tachanun recited on Mondays and Thursdays.
Verse 10 is the 11th verse of V'hu Rachum in Pesukei Dezimra, is the final verse of Yehi Kivod in Pesukei Dezimra, is found in Uva Letzion, is the second of two verses recited as an introduction at Maariv, and is part of Havdalah.
It is also considered appropriate to recite in times of stress, such as labor.
