An Otherworldly Confidence (Psalm 20:6-7 [8])

[Now] I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. ⁷Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. [⁸They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.] —Psalm 20:6-7 [8]

In Psalm 20 we see the congregation in Israel speaking a blessing over the Davidic king (vv. 1-5), declaring God’s faithfulness to the king(v. 6), and praying for his salvation in battle (v. 9). Alec Motyer described this psalm as “an act of worship preparatory to battle” (Psalms by the Day, 53). It’s one thing to declare victory after swords are sheathed, but these are words spoken ahead of the conflict. What could engender the bold confidence in verses 6-8 before swords had even been drawn? 

When David was still a shepherd, he had slain a Philistine giant with a sling and stone. He knew his victory wasn’t due to his superior equipment or the army’s valor. The whole Israelite army had cowered before Goliath’s taunts; they knew the Philistines were better armed and feared the violence they would do to them in battle. But David didn’t fear the enemy’s weapons. He said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (1 Samuel 17:45).

Now in Psalm 20 we see David describing the weakness of an opponent who was trusting in battle gear—this time chariots and horses. From a human perspective, it was a logical focus of confidence on the eve of war, and a logical reason to cower in fear. The Israelite army had been repeatedly oppressed by enemies whose chariots of iron proved too much for them when they entered the land (Judges 1:19, 4:13). Those chariots were pulled by horses that God Himself created to leap “like a locust” (Job 39:20) and race into battle. In describing the war horse to Job, the Lord said,

He paws in the valley and exults in his strength;

he goes out to meet the weapons.

He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;

he does not turn back from the sword.

Upon him rattle the quiver,

the flashing spear, and the javelin.

With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground;

he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.

When the trumpet sounds, he says ‘Aha!’

He smells the battle from afar,

the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. (Job 39:19-25) 

David’s army was preparing to face a fierce, well-armed opponent. Yet he was not afraid. Neither was he putting his hope in their pre-battle preparations. Horses were seen as necessary for battle, but they were not decisive (Proverbs 21:30-31). 

David knew God’s character and praised Him for it even as he petitioned for His help. Notice how he described God’s answer to his prayer: it would come “from [the Lord in] his holy heaven;” it would include “the saving might of his right hand.” By drawing attention to God’s location—his holy heaven—David was praising God’s exalted position and His perfect intention. His power to save would flow from His right hand. This was a reference to God’s strength, divine power, and protection.

Confidence in God’s ability to save and joy over God’s provision contrasted sharply with what Israel’s enemies were trusting in (vv. 7-8). Despite their tactical advantage, they would fall. The noblest horse pulling the fiercest warrior in the strongest chariot was not strong compared to the Almighty God. 

So it was that on the eve of battle, David trusted and rejoiced in “the name of the Lord our God,” the name that had saved him from Goliath, the name that the Lord proclaimed to Moses in Exodus 34, 

The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation (vv. 6b-7).

This is the name that gives Christians hope. Most of us will never have to face hostile soldiers in battle, yet still we must fight sin and the daily temptation to put our trust in things other than the name of the Lord. He is the merciful God who has poured out His grace on His people, forgiving their sins by shedding Jesus’ blood in their place. Could there be any greater hope for salvation? 

No matter what hardships you’re facing this week, let your confidence rest in the faithfulness of God’s name.

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For Reflection

1. What important, but not ultimate, things–money, house, car, grades, job, family, friends, reputation, health, identity, etc.–are you tempted to trust in instead of the Lord?

2. Ask God to increase your faith in Him, and your thankfulness for His good gifts (James 1:17).

3. As you meditate on the name of the Lord, rejoice that He has fulfilled His promises to David in King Jesus.

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Candice Watters is the editor of Fighter Verses. She and her husband, Steve, teach My Purpose Will Stand in 5th grade Sunday school. They are the parents of four young adults and one daughter-in-law.