Trusting God, Not Chariots or Horses (Psalm 20) | Charles Spurgeon

Deep Dive into The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon - Psalm 20Psalm 20 is a remarkable text that functions both as a historical national anthem and a deep prophetic utterance concerning Jesus Christ. Historically, the psalm, authored by Israel’s sweet singer, David, was designed to be sung publicly at the outbreak of war, serving as a hymn of prayer wherein the loyal subjects pleaded for their king as he prepared for battle. Before setting out, kings traditionally offered a sacrifice and a burnt offering upon which they depended for success, a practice referenced in the prayer that God would remember and accept these oblations.Theologically, the psalm is prophetical of our Lord Jesus, the ultimate Anointed One or Messiah. It is understood as the cry of the ancient church on behalf of Christ as she watched him enduring the great fight of afflictions. The prayers offered reflect the church's intercession for Christ during his "day of trouble," which includes the agony in the garden and his suffering on the cross. The requests made—that God hear him, accept his sacrifice (his self-presentation as a victim), and fulfill all his counsel—pertain to the successful completion of his design for the salvation of his people.Believers are directed to seek help and strength from divine sources, specifically from the Lord God himself, whose revealed character and Word—"The name of the God of Jacob"—acts as a strong tower of defense. Help is sent from the sanctuary, which believers understand as the person of Christ, the true sanctuary. Strength also comes out of Zion, reflecting the power derived from the assemblies of pleading saints. This divine reliance contrasts sharply with the "creature confidences of carnal men" who trust in earthly power like chariots and horses, which are merely showy but ultimately fail. The psalm concludes with the assurance that God saves his Anointed, providing saving strength from his holy heaven.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730