Some trust in chariots

King Charles I made many promises to individuals who would pledge support to him during his reign. He even offered protection from political persecution with the promise, “Upon the word of a king you shall not suffer in life, honor, or fortune.” In 1640, Thomas Wentworth possessed one such document signed by King Charles I.

There is a Christian song, growing in popularity among the churches of Christ titled “We trust in the Name of the Lord our God.” The song begins with the battle cry, “Some trust in the chariots…but we trust in the Lord our God.” Though the phrase is made familiar for many by this song, its inspiration originates from Psalm 20.

The twentieth Psalm is categorized as a Psalm of David. The Psalm opens with a fivefold prayer for the one who finds himself in troublesome times, an all too familiar circumstance during David’s reign. “May the LORD answer you!” (v.1a) “May the name of God protect you!” (v.1b) “May He send you help!” (v.2) “May He remember your sacrifices!” (v.3) “May he permit the fulfillment of your purpose!” (v.4)

The Psalmist does not doubt the LORD’s intervention in saying “We will rejoice in your salvation.” (v.5) He even doubles down on this assertion with the rich Messianic statement, “I know the LORD saves his anointed.” (v.6)

The Psalmist was able to make this audacious claim as a result of the continual salvation God’s Anointed experienced, up to and through this point in history. “Anointed” (Hb. messiah, lit. chosen) is a clear reference to David (1 Sam 16:13) and Jesus (Acts 10:38). The LORD rescued King David many times, from Goliath, King Saul, then Absalom, and others. The ultimate salvation would be reserved for Jesus in death (Acts 2:31f, cf. Psalm 16:10). The Psalmist could make this claim because God has proven that he will save his anointed ones and keep his promises of protection.

Likewise, we can know and be sure of our salvation for three fundamental reasons: God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9), and God does not change his nature (James 1:17). Just as God saved the deeply flawed “man after God’s own heart”, so he sent Jesus Christ to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

We can trust in the promises of the LORD, can we trust in the words of men?

With a threatening multitude clamoring for Thomas Wentworth’s head outside an undefended Whitehall palace, King Charles I capitulated and signed Wentworth’s death warrant on May 10, 1640.

Thomas Wentworth’s final recorded words were, “Put not your trust in princes”

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)