TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 20:6–9. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. Holy David himself triumphing in the interest he had in the prayers of good people (Psa 20:6): "Now know I (I that pen the psalm know it) that the Lord saveth his anointed, because he hath stirred up the hearts of the seed of Jacob to pray for him." Note, It bodes well to any prince and people, and may justly be taken as a happy presage, when God pours upon them a spirit of prayer. If he see us seeking him, he will be found of us; if he cause us to hope in his word, he will establish his word to us. Now that so many who have an interest in heaven are praying for him he doubts not but that God will hear him, and grant him an answer of peace, which will, 1. Take its rise from above: He will hear him from his holy heaven, of which the sanctuary was a type (Heb 9:23), from the throne he hath prepared in heaven, of which the mercy-seat was a type. 2. It shall take its effect here below: He will hear him with the saving strength of his right hand; he will give a real answer to his prayers, and the prayers of his friends for him, not by letter, nor by word of mouth, but, which is much better, by his right hand, by the saving strength of his right hand. He will make it to appear that he hears him by what he does for him.
II.His people triumphing in God and their relation to him, and his revelation of himself to them, by which they distinguish themselves from those that live without God in the world.
1.See the difference between worldly people and godly people, in their confidences, Psa 20:7. The children of this world trust in second causes, and think all is well if those do but smile upon them; they trust in chariots and in horses, and the more of them they can bring into the field the more sure they are of success in their wars; probably David has here an eye to the Syrians, whose forces consisted much of chariots and horsemen, as we find in the history of David's victories over them, Sa2 8:4; Sa2 10:18. "But," say the Israelites, "we neither have chariots and horses to trust to nor do we want them, nor, if we had them, would we build our hopes of success upon that; but we will remember, and rely upon, the name of the Lord our God, upon the relation we stand in to him as the Lord our God and the knowledge we have of him by his name," that is, all that whereby he makes himself known; this we will remember and upon every remembrance of it will be encouraged. Note, those who make God and his name their praise may make God and his name their trust.
2.See the difference in the issue of their confidences and by that we are to judge of the wisdom of the choice; things are as they prove; see who will be ashamed of their confidence and who not, Psa 20:8. "Those that trusted in their chariots and horses are brought down and fallen, and their chariots and horses were so far from saving them that they helped to sink them, and made them the easier and the richer prey to the conqueror, Sa2 8:4. But we that trust in the name of the Lord our God not only stand upright, and keep our ground, but have risen, and have got ground against the enemy, and have triumphed over them." Note, A believing obedient trust in God and his name is the surest way both to preferment and to establishment, to rise and to stand upright, and this will stand us in stead when creature-confidences fail those that depend upon them.
III.They conclude their prayer for the king with a Hosanna, "Save, now, we beseech thee, O Lord!" Psa 20:9.
As we read this verse, it may be taken as a prayer that God would not only bless the king, "Save, Lord, give him success," but that he would make him a blessing to them, "Let the king hear us when we call to him for justice and mercy." Those that would have good of their magistrates must thus pray for them, for they, as all other creatures, are that to us (and no more) which God makes them to be. Or it may refer to the Messiah, that King, that King of kings; let him hear us when we call; let him come to us according to the promise, in the time appointed; let him, as the great Master of requests, receive all our petitions and present them to the Father. But many interpreters give another reading of this verse, by altering the pause, Lord, save the king, and hear us when we call; and so it is a summary of the whole psalm and is taken into our English Liturgy; O Lord! save the king, and mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
In singing these verses we should encourage ourselves to trust in God, and stir up ourselves to pray earnestly, as we are in duty bound, for those in authority over us, that under them we may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
"Some in chariots, and some in horses" [Psalm 20:7]. Some are drawn away by the ever moving succession of temporal goods; and some are preferred to proud honours, and in them exult: "But we will exult in the name of the Lord our God." But we, fixing our hope on things eternal, and not seeking our own glory, will exult in the name of the Lord our God.
They trusted in horses and chariots, he is saying, and enjoyed no benefit from them but were caught up in unseen entanglements and collapsed. We, by contrast, invoked divine assistance, and won salvation in visible manner and emerged superior to the adversaries.
Among the ancients there were two types of triumphs: a greater one having to do with chariots, which was called a laureled triumph; the other, a lesser triumph, was called an ovation. But leaving such things to worldly people, he affirms that he has been exalted in the name of the Lord. For chariot and horse do not exalt, though they seem to glorify people with honors in this world. But it is the Lord’s name which leads to eternal rewards.
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Summary
Psalms 20:7 is a profound declaration of unwavering faith, contrasting the fleeting security found in human military might with the enduring strength derived from remembering and relying upon the revealed character and covenant faithfulness of the LORD God. It serves as a pivotal statement within a psalm that is a communal prayer for divine assistance and victory, likely offered for the king before a significant battle, asserting that true triumph comes not from earthly armaments but from divine power and presence.
Context
Literary Context
Psalm 20 is a communal prayer, likely offered by the people and priests for their king as he prepared for or went into battle. It is a prayer for victory and divine favor, preceding Psalm 21, which is a psalm of thanksgiving for victory. The psalm opens with petitions for God to answer the king in distress, to send help from Zion, and to accept his offerings and requests, as seen in the initial verses of Psalm 20. Verse 6 expresses confidence that the LORD will save His anointed. Against this backdrop of fervent prayer and hopeful expectation, verse 7 stands as the theological bedrock, articulating the true source of their confidence, not in visible instruments of war, but in the invisible, yet omnipotent, God. It sets the stage for the triumphant affirmation in verse 8 that "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, chariots and horses represented the pinnacle of military technology and power. Nations with large, well-equipped chariot forces, such as Egypt or the Hittites, were considered formidable. Israel, by contrast, was often admonished against accumulating horses and chariots, as seen in the law concerning kings in Deuteronomy 17:16. This was not merely a practical military strategy but a theological statement, encouraging reliance on God rather than on human or material strength. The setting of this psalm is likely a time of national crisis or impending warfare, where the temptation to rely on conventional military advantages would be strong. The psalmist's declaration in verse 7 directly challenges this worldly perspective, grounding the nation's hope in their covenant relationship with Yahweh.
Key Themes
The central theme of Psalms 20:7 is the stark contrast between human reliance and divine trust. It highlights the futility of placing ultimate confidence in material or military strength (symbolized by "chariots and horses") versus the absolute security found in God. This verse also powerfully emphasizes the sovereignty and power of God over all earthly might, echoing themes found in other psalms that declare God's supremacy over nations and their armies, such as Psalm 33:16-17. Furthermore, the phrase "the name of the LORD" underscores the theme of God's revealed character and covenant faithfulness. To "remember" His name is not mere mental recall but an active, faith-filled commitment to rely on His attributes, His promises, and His historical acts of deliverance, which are all encapsulated in His divine name. This deep theological understanding of God's name is foundational to Israel's identity and hope, as seen in passages like Exodus 3:15.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From an unused root meaning to skip, this term refers to a vehicle, by implication a team, and by extension, cavalry. In ancient warfare, chariots were the most advanced and fearsome military technology, akin to modern tanks or fighter jets. They symbolized overwhelming power, speed, and strategic advantage. The mention of "chariots" here represents the pinnacle of human military might and, by extension, any form of human strength, resource, or ingenuity that people might trust in for security and victory, apart from God.
This primitive root means to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember, and by implication, to mention or be mindful. In Hebrew thought, to "remember" the name of the LORD implies a much deeper meaning than simple mental recall. It is an active, intentional, and covenantal act of bringing to mind God's character, His past deeds of deliverance, His promises, and His very presence. It involves a commitment to act in accordance with that remembrance, to rely on Him, and to live out the implications of His identity. It is a dynamic, faith-filled engagement with God's nature.
A primitive word, perhaps from the idea of definite and conspicuous position, this refers to an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality, and by implication, honor, authority, or character. In Hebrew thought, a "name" is not just a label but encapsulates the very essence, character, authority, and reputation of the person. When referring to "the name of the LORD" (YHWH, H3068, God's personal covenantal name, often translated as "LORD" in English Bibles, and ʼĕlôhîym, H430, God), it signifies the fullness of God's revealed being—His attributes (holiness, power, faithfulness, love), His covenant relationship with Israel, and His active presence in the world. To remember His name is to trust in all that God is and has revealed Himself to be, especially His power to save and deliver.
Verse Breakdown
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:"
This clause sets up a stark contrast, identifying the common human tendency to place confidence in visible, tangible sources of power and security. "Chariots" and "horses" are metonymic for all forms of human strength, military might, wealth, political alliances, or personal abilities. It acknowledges that many nations and individuals rely on these earthly advantages for their well-being and success, viewing them as their ultimate source of protection and victory.
"but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."
This is the counter-declaration, a resolute statement of faith and allegiance. The "we" is emphatic, representing the psalmist, the king, and the faithful community of Israel. Their confidence is not in armaments but in an active, conscious reliance on the "name of the LORD our God." This signifies a deep, covenantal trust in God's revealed character, His omnipotence, His faithfulness, and His unique relationship with His people. It is a commitment to draw strength and hope from who God is, rather than from what human effort can achieve.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is Contrast, setting up a clear dichotomy between reliance on human strength ("chariots" and "horses") and divine trust ("the name of the LORD our God"). This stark opposition highlights the folly of the former and the wisdom of the latter. Merism is also present, where "chariots and horses" represent the totality of military power, using two prominent components to stand for the whole. Furthermore, Metonymy is evident in "the name of the LORD," where the "name" stands for the entire person, character, and power of God Himself. This is more than just a label; it embodies God's very being and His covenant relationship with His people. The verse's concise, parallel structure also contributes to its memorable and impactful declaration.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 20:7 articulates a fundamental biblical truth: true security and ultimate victory are found not in human might or material resources, but in the sovereign power and faithful character of God. This principle challenges humanity's innate tendency towards self-reliance and idolatry, where created things (like military strength or wealth) are elevated to a position of ultimate trust. The verse calls the people of God to actively remember and rely upon the LORD's revealed name, which encapsulates His covenant promises, His omnipotence, and His unwavering commitment to His people. It's a call to prioritize spiritual dependence over worldly confidence, recognizing that God's power far surpasses any earthly strength or strategic advantage.
Reflection and Application
In a world that constantly encourages us to place our trust in visible, tangible securities—financial portfolios, career achievements, political systems, technological advancements, or personal abilities—Psalms 20:7 serves as an enduring and vital counter-cultural declaration. It challenges us to honestly examine the true objects of our confidence. When faced with personal crises, professional challenges, national uncertainties, or global anxieties, where do we instinctively turn for help and hope? Do we, like "some," primarily rely on our "chariots and horses"—our resources, our intellect, our networks, or our own strength? Or do we, like the psalmist, consciously and actively "remember the name of the LORD our God," bringing to mind His unchanging character, His past faithfulness, and His boundless power? This verse calls us to a radical reorientation of our trust, reminding us that our ultimate security and deliverance come from God alone, whose power and wisdom infinitely transcend all human capabilities.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "remember the name of the LORD our God" truly mean in a practical sense?
In a practical sense, "remembering the name of the LORD our God" goes far beyond a simple mental recollection of a title. It means actively calling to mind God's revealed character, His attributes (such as His omnipotence, faithfulness, love, and justice), His covenant promises, and His historical acts of deliverance and provision for His people. Practically, this involves meditating on Scripture, recalling personal testimonies of God's faithfulness, engaging in prayer that acknowledges His sovereignty, and consciously choosing to align our trust and actions with His revealed will. It's a dynamic, faith-filled reliance on who God is, rather than on our own strength or worldly resources, especially when facing challenges. It is a conscious decision to lean into the reality of God's presence and power, as opposed to the fleeting security offered by human means, as highlighted throughout the Psalms.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 20:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the psalmist's declaration pointed to the covenant name of Yahweh as Israel's true source of strength, the New Testament reveals that this divine "name" is fully embodied and made accessible through Jesus. He is the ultimate "name above every name" (Philippians 2:9), through whom alone salvation and true victory are found. Where "chariots and horses" represent the pinnacle of human power and wisdom, Christ's victory was achieved not through worldly might but through His sacrificial death and resurrection, triumphing over sin, death, and all spiritual principalities and powers, as affirmed in Colossians 2:15. Believers are called to place their trust entirely in Him, remembering His finished work on the cross and His resurrection power, knowing that "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved," as Peter boldly declared in Acts 4:12. Our confidence is not in our own strength or achievements, but in the power of His name, which raises the dead, casts out demons, and brings eternal life, demonstrating that God "chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong," as articulated in 1 Corinthians 1:27.