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Response
Psalm 20:7 is a famous verse that illustrates King David’s unwavering faith in God: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” During David’s time and thereafter, chariots and horses symbolized military strength. In more modern terms, the verse could be interpreted as “Some rely on their armed forces and nuclear weapons, but we rely on the name of the Lord.”
In ancient times, the power of a kingdom was determined by its possession of “chariots and horses.” Therefore, it was common for kings to place their confidence in their military assets. For instance, King Solomon enhanced his power by accumulating “chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem” «And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. », (1 Kings 10:26). Pharaoh of Egypt and King Sennacherib of Assyria are other biblical examples of rulers with large armies. These two kings are particularly noteworthy as God demonstrated His supremacy over their military might (Exodus 14:6-14;2 Kings 19). Understanding the significance of “chariots and horses” enriches David’s message. Despite being a valiant warrior himself, David trusted in the Lord for victory.
While modern nations no longer rely on chariots and horses, and ordinary individuals do not have access to military resources, the metaphorical meaning of this verse remains relevant. It is still possible to succumb to theTrap of relying solely on human strength, material possessions, and intelligence. This is evident sometimes in elections of political candidates, when people might assume that a certain candidate or party will usher in a utopia, disregarding the God-factor (see Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:21; Daniel 4:17). The wealthy may rely on their billions, intellectuals on their brilliance, and the physically strong on their bulk. Humans have been geared toward self-rule right from the Garden of Eden, and even Christians aren’t immune «And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: », (Genesis 3:4).
Given our inclination to play the role of our own gods, Psalm 20:7 should be both a challenge and a proclamation for believers. In challenging times when others might tap into their limited human resources, we have a heavenly Father to turn to for assistance (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 46:1; Hebrews 4:16). He is willing to grant us wisdom «If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. », (James 1:5), guide us through our troubles (Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 23:4), and liberate us from all that would entangle (Psalm 34:17; Matthew 6:13; 2 Timothy 4:18).
We can extend the concept of trusting in chariots and horses to the matter of salvation. Various religions and belief systems advocate for salvation through good deeds and obedience to religious law. Even atheists and
Some skeptics rely on their perceived goodness, hoping that if God exists, their good deeds will be enough to secure salvation. However, Christianity is distinctive because the gospel encourages us to have faith in the person and work of Christ. As Jesus Himself assured, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” « Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. », (Matthew 11:28).
In all areas of life, let us join King David in declaring our unwavering faith in God, refuse to align with those who “trust in chariots and horses,” and pray for the grace to remain steadfast.
