◄ Psalm 7:10 ►
My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.
Study Bible
My shield
The term "shield" in this context is derived from the Hebrew word "מָגֵן" (magen), which signifies protection and defense. In ancient times, a shield was a crucial part of a warrior's armor, providing a safeguard against enemy attacks. Spiritually, this metaphor illustrates God's role as a protector for those who trust in Him. The imagery of God as a shield is prevalent throughout the Psalms, emphasizing His reliability and strength in times of trouble. For the believer, this conveys a sense of security and assurance that God is actively involved in their defense against spiritual and physical adversities.

is with God
The phrase "is with God" underscores the source of the psalmist's protection. It is not in human strength or earthly means that the psalmist finds safety, but in God alone. This reflects a deep trust and reliance on the divine, acknowledging that true security comes from a relationship with the Almighty. Historically, this trust in God as a protector was central to the faith of the Israelites, who often found themselves in perilous situations and looked to God for deliverance. For contemporary believers, this serves as a reminder to place their confidence in God's omnipotence and faithfulness.

who saves
The word "saves" is translated from the Hebrew "יֹשִׁיעַ" (yoshi'a), which means to deliver or rescue. This action is attributed to God, highlighting His role as a savior. Throughout the Old Testament, God is depicted as the one who delivers His people from bondage, danger, and sin. This saving nature of God is a cornerstone of Christian theology, ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. The assurance of salvation is a central theme in the believer's life, offering hope and encouragement that God is actively working for their good.

the upright in heart
The phrase "the upright in heart" refers to those who are sincere, honest, and morally sound in their innermost being. The Hebrew word "יָשָׁר" (yashar) conveys the idea of being straight or right. In biblical terms, uprightness is not merely about outward actions but involves the integrity of one's heart and intentions. This concept is echoed throughout Scripture, where God looks beyond external appearances to the heart's condition. For believers, this is a call to cultivate a heart that aligns with God's righteousness, knowing that He values inner purity and sincerity. The promise of salvation for the upright in heart serves as an encouragement to pursue holiness and integrity in one's walk with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 7, traditionally believed to be King David, who often sought God's protection and justice against his enemies.

2. God
The central figure in this verse, depicted as a shield and savior for those who are upright in heart.

3. The Upright in Heart
Refers to individuals who are sincere, honest, and righteous in their intentions and actions.
Teaching Points
God as Our Protector
Just as a shield provides physical protection in battle, God offers spiritual and emotional protection to those who are upright in heart.

The Importance of Uprightness
Living with integrity and righteousness is crucial for experiencing God's saving power. Our hearts must align with His will to receive His protection.

Trust in Divine Justice
In times of trouble, we can trust that God will act justly and save those who are committed to righteousness, even when human justice fails.

Faith and Righteousness
Our faith in God should be reflected in our actions and attitudes, demonstrating a heart that seeks to please Him above all else.

God's Faithfulness
God is consistently faithful to His promises, and His protection is assured for those who remain steadfast in their commitment to Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God as a "shield" influence your perspective on facing life's challenges?

2. In what ways can you cultivate an "upright heart" in your daily life, and how does this align with other biblical teachings on righteousness?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's protection. How did this experience strengthen your faith?

4. How can the concept of God as a protector encourage you to trust Him more deeply in situations where justice seems delayed or absent?

5. Compare Psalm 7:10 with Ephesians 6:16. How does the imagery of a shield in both passages enhance your understanding of spiritual warfare and God's role in it?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 18:2
This verse also describes God as a shield, emphasizing His role as a protector and deliverer for those who trust in Him.

Proverbs 2:7
Highlights the protection and wisdom God provides to the upright, reinforcing the theme of divine safeguarding for the righteous.

Ephesians 6:16
Discusses the "shield of faith," drawing a parallel to the protective nature of God for believers who live by faith.
Sermons
God, the Shield Bearer of the UprightJoseph Parker, D. D.Psalm 7:10
The Upright in HeartW. D. Howard.Psalm 7:10
An Appeal from the SlanderedWilliam Nicholson, D. D.Psalm 7:1-17
David and His EnemiesThomas Wilcocks.Psalm 7:1-17
Exemplary Conduct Under Social TrialHomilistPsalm 7:1-17
The Ferocity of PersecutorsJeremiah Burroughs.Psalm 7:1-17
The Slandered Saint Appealing to His GodC. Clemance Psalm 7:1-17
Trust in GodJ. P. Wright.Psalm 7:1-17
Trust in GodC. Short Psalm 7:1-17
Turning to God in Time of NeedF. B. Meyer, B. A.Psalm 7:1-17
A Prayer for the Ending of WickednessSketches of Four Hundred SermonsPsalm 7:9-16
Prayer for the Termination of SinMatthew Henry.Psalm 7:9-16
The Searching Divine TestW. J. Stracey, M. A.Psalm 7:9-16
The Self-Destroying Power of WickednessA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 7:9-16
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Breastplate, Defence, Defense, Heart, Saves, Saveth, Saviour, Shield, Upright
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 7:10

     5214   attack
     5527   shield
     8486   spiritual warfare, armour

Library
January the Twenty-Ninth Noble Revenge
"I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy." --PSALM vii. 4. That is the noblest revenge, and in those moments David had intimate knowledge of the spirit of his Lord. "If thine enemy hunger, feed him!" Evil for good is devil-like. To receive a favour and to return a blow! To obtain the gift of language, and then to use one's speech to curse the giver! To use a sacred sword is unholy warfare! All this is devil-like. Evil for evil is beast-like. Yes, the dog bites back when it is …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Turn or Burn
In the first place, what is the turning here meant? In the second place let us dwell on the necessity there is for men's turning, otherwise God will punish them; and then thirdly, let me remind you of the means whereby men can be turned from the error of their ways, and the weakness and frailty of their nature amended by the power of divine grace. I. In the first place, my hearers, let me endeavour to explain to you the NATURE OF THE TURNING HERE MEANT. It says--"if he turn not he will whet his sword." …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

Self-Respect and Self-Righteousness
PSALM vii. 8. Give sentence for me, O Lord, according to my righteousness; and according to the innocency that is in me. Is this speech self-righteous? If so, it is a bad speech; for self- righteousness is a bad temper of mind; there are few worse. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar. …
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Love for Hate, the True Quid Pro Quo
'And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. 5. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had out off Saul's skirt. 6. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Bundle of Proverbs
'Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 26. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. 27. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Of Having Confidence in God when Evil Words are Cast at Us
"My Son, stand fast and believe in Me. For what are words but words? They fly through the air, but they bruise no stone. If thou are guilty, think how thou wouldst gladly amend thyself; if thou knowest nothing against thyself, consider that thou wilt gladly bear this for God's sake. It is little enough that thou sometimes hast to bear hard words, for thou art not yet able to bear hard blows. And wherefore do such trivial matters go to thine heart, except that thou art yet carnal, and regardest …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Exile --Continued.
There are many echoes of this period of Engedi in the Psalms. Perhaps the most distinctly audible of these are to be found in the seventh psalm, which is all but universally recognised as David's, even Ewald concurring in the general consent. It is an irregular ode--for such is the meaning of Shiggaion in the title, and by its broken rhythms and abrupt transitions testifies to the emotion of its author. The occasion of it is said to be "the words of Cush the Benjamite." As this is a peculiar name …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Twenty-Third Lesson Bear Fruit, that the Father May Give what Ye Ask;'
Bear fruit, that the Father may give what ye ask;' Or, Obedience the Path to Power in Prayer. Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He may give it you.'--John xv. 16. The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much.'--James. v. 16. THE promise of the Father's giving whatsoever we ask is here once again renewed, in such a connection as …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Calvin -- Enduring Persecution for Christ
John Calvin was born in 1509, at Noyon, France. He has been called the greatest of Protestant commentators and theologians, and the inspirer of the Puritan exodus. He often preached every day for weeks in succession. He possest two of the greatest elements in successful pulpit oratory, self-reliance and authority. It was said of him, as it was afterward said of Webster, that "every word weighed a pound." His style was simple, direct, and convincing. He made men think. His splendid contributions to …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I

Some General Uses from this Useful Truth, that Christ is the Truth.
Having thus cleared up this truth, we should come to speak of the way of believers making use of him as the truth, in several cases wherein they will stand in need of him as the truth. But ere we come to the particulars, we shall first propose some general uses of this useful point. First. This point of truth serveth to discover unto us, the woful condition of such as are strangers to Christ the truth; and oh, if it were believed! For, 1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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