O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield. O Israel, trust in the LORD!This phrase is a direct call to the nation of Israel, urging them to place their trust in Yahweh. Historically, Israel's relationship with God was covenantal, beginning with Abraham and continuing through Moses and the giving of the Law. Trust in the LORD is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing reliance on God's faithfulness and power rather than on human strength or foreign alliances. This call to trust is particularly poignant given Israel's history of turning to idols and other nations for security, which often led to their downfall. The phrase also echoes the Shema ( Deuteronomy 6:4-5), a central declaration of faith in Judaism, reinforcing the exclusive devotion to God. He is their help and shield.
This part of the verse highlights God's role as both a helper and protector. The imagery of God as a shield is common in the Psalms and other biblical texts, symbolizing divine protection against physical and spiritual threats. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a shield was a vital piece of armor, representing safety and defense. The dual role of help and shield suggests that God is both actively involved in aiding His people and passively protecting them from harm. This assurance of God's protection is seen throughout Israel's history, from the Exodus to the battles fought in the Promised Land. Theologically, this points to God's sovereignty and His commitment to His covenant people. In a broader biblical context, this protection and help are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who provides spiritual salvation and eternal security for believers. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, representing His covenant people. In this verse, Israel is called to trust in the LORD, emphasizing their unique relationship with Him. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, highlighting His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. 3. Help and ShieldMetaphors used to describe God's protective and supportive role for His people. "Help" indicates assistance and deliverance, while "shield" suggests defense and protection. Teaching Points Trust in God's FaithfulnessIsrael is called to trust in the LORD, reminding us of the importance of relying on God's unchanging nature and promises. God as Our ProtectorThe imagery of God as a "shield" assures us of His protection in times of trouble. We can find peace knowing that God defends us against spiritual and physical harm. Dependence on Divine HelpRecognizing God as our "help" encourages us to seek His guidance and support in all aspects of life, acknowledging our need for His intervention. Covenant RelationshipThe call to trust is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people, reminding us of the privileges and responsibilities of being in a relationship with God. Bible Study Questions 1. What does it mean for Israel to trust in the LORD, and how can we apply this trust in our daily lives? 2. How does the imagery of God as a "help and shield" provide comfort and assurance in your current circumstances? 3. In what ways can we actively demonstrate our trust in God, especially when facing challenges or uncertainties? 4. How do other scriptures, such as Proverbs 3:5-6, reinforce the message of trusting in the LORD found in Psalm 115:9? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's protection or help. How did this experience strengthen your faith and trust in Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 28:7This verse also speaks of the LORD as a strength and shield, reinforcing the idea of God as a protector and source of strength for His people. Proverbs 3:5-6These verses encourage trust in the LORD with all one's heart, aligning with the call to trust in Psalm 115:9. Ephesians 6:16The "shield of faith" in the armor of God connects to the idea of God as a shield, emphasizing faith as a means of protection against spiritual attacks. People Aaron, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Breastplate, Confide, Faith, O, Shield, TrustDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 115:9 1205 God, titles of Psalm 115:2-11 8023 faith, necessity Psalm 115:9-11 5292 defence, divine
5527 shield
5914 optimism
8031 trust, importance
8315 orthodoxy, in OT 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 115:9 NIVPsalm 115:9 NLTPsalm 115:9 ESVPsalm 115:9 NASBPsalm 115:9 KJV
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