Psalm 20:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

NIV: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

NASB: Some praise their chariots and some their horses, But we will praise the name of the Lord, our God.

CSB: Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God.

NLT: Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

KJV: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

NKJV: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

This is part of a prayer made by the assembled people of Israel, prior to a battle. Continuing his response (Psalm 20:6) to the congregation's request (Psalm 20:1–5), David expresses confidence in the Lord as more powerful than an army's horses and chariots. In the ancient day, horses were primarily useful for war, as oxen or other livestock were preferred for work. Chariots, likewise, were designed for military purposes. A modern re-phrasing of this statement might say, "some trust in rifles and some in missiles…"

In the book of Exodus, we see that the Egyptians were well equipped with chariots and horses when they pursued the Hebrews. However, after the Lord carved a path through the Red Sea for the Hebrews, the Egyptians tried to cross. They learned, however, that their chariots and horses were no match for the Lord's power. The Lord removed the chariots' wheels, brought the water of the Red Sea together, and submerged chariots, horses, and drivers in the ensuing deluge (Exodus 14:21–29).

A nation may have bombers, fighter jets, nuclear submarines, satellites, and a well-trained military, but what it needs most is the Lord's favor. Psalm 33:12 says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD," and verses 17–19 say, "The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine." In all our struggles we must not rely on our own resources but trust in the Lord. "He is our help and our shield" (Psalm 33:20).

Psalm 20:6–9 assures the congregation that the Lord will grant David victory over the enemy. His words express strong confidence in the Lord. The passage reminds us of the confidence in the Lord that Daniel's three friends had when they were threatened with the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:16–18), and it reminds us of the victory over the lions that God gave to Daniel, who consistently prayed (Daniel 6:19–24). Psalm 91 similarly expresses confidence in the Lord in treacherous times.

David prepares for battle. He offers prayer and sacrifices in the tabernacle and trusts in the Lord for victory. His army is ready to march into battle, and it is organized into groups, each with its banner. The congregation voices its invocation, asking the Lord to protect, help, support, and give David success. King David responds by assuring the congregation that the Lord answers prayer and will grant him victory over the enemy. He is certain the enemy will fall while he and his men will stand. Finally, the congregation calls upon the Lord to answer their prayer to save the king.

This psalm was written by David as a prayer before he went into battle. Psalm 21 offers praise for victory. It seems David had entered the tabernacle to pray before going to battle. The tone of the psalm is somber and urgent, whereas the tone of the next psalm (Psalm 21:1) is joyful. Perhaps our Lord's prayer in the garden of Gethsemane resembles the prayer in Psalm 20. At Gethsemane Jesus struggled with the prospect of suffering and dying and prayed for deliverance (Luke 22:39–44).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.