Psalms 20:1-9: a reflection

1May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high, 2send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion, 3remember all your offerings, and accept your burned sacrifice. Selah. 4May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your counsel. 5We will triumph in your salvation. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners. May the LORD grant all your requests. 6Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand. 7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8They are bowed down and fallen, but we rise up, and stand upright. 9Save, LORD! Let the King answer us when we call!

This psalm, a prayer for the king going into battle, comes to a clear declaration of where true confidence lies: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Chariots and horses were the visible instruments of strength, the things people naturally relied on for victory; but the psalmist puts his trust elsewhere, in the name of the LORD. And the outcome shows the difference: They are bowed down and fallen, but we rise up, and stand upright. Those who trust in worldly strength fall; those who trust in God stand.

Notice the contrast: trust in chariots and horses, or trust in the name of the LORD. Chariots and horses stood for the world's visible means of strength, the things people relied on for victory and security. But the psalmist put his trust not in these, but in the name of the LORD, in God himself. The two trusts led to different ends: those who trusted in worldly strength were bowed down and fell, while those who trusted in God rose and stood. Where we put our trust, in worldly means or in God, makes the difference between falling and standing. The psalmist chose to trust in God rather than in the visible instruments of strength.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too must choose where to put our trust, in worldly means and strength, or in God. We are surrounded by things that promise security and strength, our own resources, our means, the visible instruments people rely on, our chariots and horses; and we can put our trust in these. But the psalmist trusted in the name of the LORD, and those who did so stood while others fell. Where we place our trust matters. Do not put your ultimate trust in worldly means and strength, your chariots and horses, which fail; trust in the name of the LORD, as the psalmist did and stood. Put your trust in God rather than in worldly means and strength, as the psalmist trusted the name of the LORD while others trusted chariots and horses and fell; for those who trust in worldly strength are bowed down, but those who trust in God rise and stand, and it is God, not our visible means, who is our true security.

Lord, this psalm, a prayer for the king going into battle, comes to a clear declaration of where true confidence lies: some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Chariots and horses were the visible instruments of strength, the things people naturally relied on for victory; but the psalmist puts his trust elsewhere, in your name. And the outcome shows the difference: they are bowed down and fallen, but we rise up, and stand upright. Show me the contrast: trust in chariots and horses, or trust in your name. Chariots and horses stood for the world's visible means of strength. But the psalmist put his trust not in these, but in your name, in you yourself. The two trusts led to different ends: those who trusted in worldly strength were bowed down and fell, while those who trusted in you rose and stood. Where we put our trust makes the difference between falling and standing. Take that to my heart, for I too must choose where to put my trust, in worldly means and strength, or in you. I am surrounded by things that promise security and strength, my own resources, my means, the visible instruments people rely on; and I can put my trust in these. But the psalmist trusted in your name, and those who did so stood while others fell. Keep me from putting my ultimate trust in worldly means and strength, my chariots and horses, which fail; help me trust in your name, Lord, as the psalmist did and stood. Help me put my trust in you rather than in worldly means and strength.