You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield. You who fear the LORDThis phrase addresses those who have a reverent awe and respect for God, often referred to as the "fear of the LORD." This concept is foundational in the wisdom literature of the Bible, such as Proverbs 1:7, which states that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. It implies a relationship of obedience and worship, recognizing God's holiness and authority. Historically, this fear was a defining characteristic of the Israelites, setting them apart from surrounding nations who worshiped multiple gods. The fear of the LORD is not about terror but about a deep respect and commitment to His commandments. trust in the LORD!
Trusting in the LORD is a call to rely on God's faithfulness and sovereignty. This trust is a central theme throughout the Bible, exemplified by figures like Abraham, who trusted God's promises despite seemingly impossible circumstances (Genesis 15:6). In the context of Psalm 115, this trust contrasts with the futility of idol worship, as the preceding verses describe the lifelessness of idols. Trusting in the LORD involves a confident expectation that He will act according to His character and promises, as seen in passages like Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages believers to trust in the LORD with all their heart. He is their help and shield.
This phrase emphasizes God's role as both a helper and protector. The imagery of God as a shield is prevalent in the Psalms, symbolizing defense and safety (Psalm 3:3, Psalm 18:2). In ancient warfare, a shield was a crucial piece of armor, providing protection against enemy attacks. Similarly, God is portrayed as a reliable protector for those who trust in Him. The term "help" suggests active assistance and support, reflecting God's involvement in the lives of His people. This dual role of help and shield assures believers of God's comprehensive care, echoing the covenant relationship where God promises to be with His people and deliver them from harm. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises. 2. Those who fear the LORDRefers to individuals who have a reverent awe and respect for God, acknowledging His power and authority. 3. Help and ShieldMetaphors for God's protection and support, indicating His active role in the lives of those who trust Him. Teaching Points Reverence and TrustTo fear the LORD is to have a deep respect and awe for Him, which naturally leads to trusting Him. Our reverence for God should be the foundation of our faith and trust. God as ProtectorThe imagery of God as a shield emphasizes His role as a protector. In times of trouble, believers can find comfort in knowing that God is actively guarding them. Active FaithTrusting in the LORD is not passive; it requires an active decision to rely on Him in every circumstance. This trust is demonstrated through prayer, obedience, and reliance on His promises. Community of BelieversThe call to trust in the LORD is directed to a community ("you who fear the LORD"), highlighting the importance of encouraging one another in faith and trust. Assurance of HelpGod's promise to be our help assures us that we are not alone in our struggles. This assurance should lead to peace and confidence in His provision. Bible Study Questions 1. What does it mean to "fear the LORD," and how does this fear influence our trust in Him? 2. How can we practically rely on God as our "help and shield" in daily life? 3. In what ways can we encourage others in our community to trust in the LORD? 4. How do the metaphors of "help" and "shield" deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with us? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's protection or help. How did that experience strengthen your trust in Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 3:5-6This passage encourages trust in the LORD with all your heart, similar to the call in Psalm 115:11 to trust in the LORD. Psalm 28:7This verse also describes the LORD as a strength and shield, reinforcing the imagery of protection found in Psalm 115:11. Isaiah 41:10God promises to be with His people, offering help and strength, which aligns with the assurance of God being a help and shield. Hebrews 13:6This New Testament verse echoes the confidence believers can have in God's help, similar to the trust encouraged in Psalm 115:11. People Aaron, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Breastplate, Confide, Faith, Fear, Fearing, Shield, Trust, WorshippersDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 115:11 8335 reverence, and blessing Psalm 115:2-11 8023 faith, necessity Psalm 115:9-11 5292 defence, divine Library The Warning
"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered abroad. Howbeit, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou today, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice. But he spake exceeding …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. MarkLetter xxxiv. To Marcella.
In reply to a request from Marcella for information concerning two phrases in Ps. cxxvii. ("bread of sorrow," v. 2, and "children of the shaken off," A.V. "of the youth," v. 4). Jerome, after lamenting that Origen's notes on the psalm are no longer extant, gives the following explanations: The Hebrew phrase "bread of sorrow" is rendered by the LXX. "bread of idols"; by Aquila, "bread of troubles"; by Symmachus, "bread of misery." Theodotion follows the LXX. So does Origen's Fifth Version. The Sixth …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome Christian Graces.
FAITH. FAITH! Peter saith, faith, in the very trial of it, is much more precious than gold that perisheth. If so, what is the worth or value that is in the grace itself? Faith is so great an artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul, that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with. It will bring to my remembrance at once, both my vileness against God, and his goodness towards me; it will show me, that though I deserve not to breathe in the air, yet God will have me an heir …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of Idols a Defection from the True God.
1. God is opposed to idols, that all may know he is the only fit witness to himself. He expressly forbids any attempt to represent him by a bodily shape. 2. Reasons for this prohibition from Moses, Isaiah, and Paul. The complaint of a heathen. It should put the worshipers of idols to shame. 3. Consideration of an objection taken from various passages in Moses. The Cherubim and Seraphim show that images are not fit to represent divine mysteries. The Cherubim belonged to the tutelage of the Law. 4. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. F allen man, though alienated from the life of God, and degraded with respect to many of his propensities and pursuits, to a level with the beasts that perish, is not wholly destitute of kind and compassionate feelings towards his fellow-creatures. While self-interest does not interfere, and the bitter passions …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 The Last Supper
189. On Thursday Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem for the last time. Knowing the temper of the leaders, and the danger of arrest at any time, Jesus was particularly eager to eat the Passover with his disciples (Luke xxii. 15), and he sent two of them--Luke names them as Peter and John--to prepare for the supper. In a way which would give no information to such a one as Judas, he directed them carefully how to find the house where a friend would provide them the upper room that was needed …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth 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 Links Psalm 115:11 NIVPsalm 115:11 NLTPsalm 115:11 ESVPsalm 115:11 NASBPsalm 115:11 KJV
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