John Calvin Commentary Psalms 20:7

"Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses; But we will make mention of the name of Jehovah our God." — Psalms 20:7 (ASV)

Some trust in chariots. I do not restrict this to the enemies of Israel, as is done by other interpreters. I am rather inclined to think that there is here a comparison between the people of God and all the rest of the world. We see how natural it is for almost all people to be more courageous and confident the more riches, power, and military forces they possess.

The people of God, therefore, here protest that they do not place their hope, as is the usual way with people, in their military forces and military equipment, but only in the aid of God. As the Holy Spirit here sets the assistance of God in opposition to human strength, it should be particularly noted that whenever our minds become occupied by carnal confidence, they fall at the same time into a forgetfulness of God.

It is impossible for anyone who promises himself victory by confiding in his own strength to have his eyes turned towards God. The inspired writer, therefore, uses the word remember, to show that when the saints turn to God, they must cast off everything that would hinder them from placing an exclusive trust in him.

This remembrance of God serves two important purposes for the faithful. In the first place, however much power and resources they may possess, it nevertheless withdraws them from all vain confidence, so that they do not expect any success except from the pure grace of God. In the second place, if they are deprived and utterly destitute of all help, it nevertheless so strengthens and encourages them that they call upon God with both confidence and constancy.

On the other hand, when ungodly people feel themselves strong and powerful, being blinded with pride, they do not hesitate boldly to despise God; but when they are brought into circumstances of distress, they are so terrified as not to know what to do. In short, the Holy Spirit here recommends to us the remembrance of God, which, retaining its efficacy both in the lack and in the abundance of power, subdues the vain hopes with which the flesh is accustomed to be inflated.

As the verb נזכיר, nazkir, which I have translated we will remember, is in the conjugation hiphil, some render it transitively, we shall cause to remember. But it is nothing new in Hebrew for verbs that are properly transitive to be used as neuter; and, therefore, I have adopted the exposition that seems to me the most suitable to this passage.