Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king. He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power. Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm. Give victory to our king, O Lord! Answer our cry for help. Psalms 20:6-9 NLT
King David writes this Psalm after achieving some miraculous victories over a few enemy nations, the Ammonites and Syrians. A main adversary, Hadadezer, had battled with Israel several times, but finally when this General fell, there was a long season of peace. 1 Samuel 10:19, “When all the kings allied with Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they surrendered to Israel and became their subjects. After that, the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites.”
Israel had become powerful enough to accomplish peace in the entire region. David writes this Psalm, not to acknowledge his military might or ability – NO! David, as an experienced warrior recognized that Israel’s victories were because of the God they served. And, with a certain amount of humility David writes, “the Lord rescues his anointed king.” Then, he very poetically pens these famous words that would be quoted many times over in times of uncertainty – some nations boast of their chariots and horses… David knew that God had favored him and it was useless to pretend it was because of some amazing number chariots and horses.
Samuel mentions at one point that David had captured a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. There is no doubt that David had a massive arsenal of weapons and soldiers to go with them – maybe multiple times the number he captured. So, as the apex warrior of the ancient world, David knew how many chariots, horses, men, spears and swords he had in his massive army. But here in the Psalms he admits, it wasn’t his accomplishments, it was God’s victories and to boast in anything else would be foolish.
David’s success as a warrior would eventually prevent him from building a “home for God,” the temple. God said David’s hands were too bloody, and they were! (1 Chronicles 28:3). But here, David gives high praise and acknowledgement of God’s protection and fulfillment of promise to David and his legacy.
Prayer
Dad,
Throughout our human history you have had rulers, kings and presidents rise to and fall from power. Some, you promoted and put in place, some you allowed to reign and wield their authority in wild and wicked ways. These rulers, mostly men, have been a mystery as to why some have been allowed to use and abuse their charisma and influence over nations. Whether we have good or godly leaders or tyrants and narcissistic, it is hard to understand your will and your ways through their time in power. The cycles of good or bad rising and falling continue to frustrate us. However, even though I do not understand, I do trust you. Even when I cannot see the reason, nor its end, I have faith in you and know that you are always just, true and right. Amen.