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The Eternal God is thy Refuge.
(Being a series of studies designed to encourage
the believer in times of stress).
#10. "We will make mention of the name of the Lord our God"
(Psa. 20: 7).
pp. 13, 14
When dealing with the great promise that the Lord will be the "defence" of His
people, we quoted more than one passage in which this "defence" and "refuge" was
associated with His "Name". The Companion Bible draws attention to three occurrences
of the "Name" in Psalm 20:, and refers to them as follows:
"The DEFENDING Name" (verse 1).
"The DISPLAYED Name" (verse 5).
"The DELIVERING Name" (verse 7).
These references to the "Name" become more significant if viewed in the light of the
custom associated with the Kinsman-Redeemer. A man in trouble called upon the
"name" of his kinsman, and ranged himself under his banner for protection. It is this that
the Psalmist is thinking of in these references. He first prays in verse 1:
"The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee."
Then, in verse 5, he says:
"We will rejoice in Thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners."
"His banner over me", said the Shulamite, "was love" (Song of Sol. 2: 4).
So here, "His banner over me", the Psalmist might have said, "is my protection".
And, in verse 7, David contrasts the vain help of man with the gracious deliverance of
the Lord:
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the
Lord our God."
The word zakar, "remember", is also translated "to make mention", as in Gen. 40: 14:
"Make mention of me unto Pharaoh." The same word occurs in Isa. 12::
"In that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon His NAME, declare His doings
among the people, make mention that His NAME is exalted" (Isa. 12: 4).
In Psalm 9:, in connection with the Lord as a Refuge, we read: