Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between the psalmist and God, portraying God as both a source of power and protection. In biblical context, "strength" often refers to God's ability to empower His people, as seen in Exodus 15:2, where God is praised for His might in delivering Israel from Egypt. The term "shield" suggests protection and defense, reminiscent of Ephesians 6:16, where faith is described as a shield against spiritual attacks. Historically, shields were vital in ancient warfare, symbolizing God's role as a protector against adversaries.

my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
Trust in God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting a deep reliance on His faithfulness and provision. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages believers to trust in the Lord with all their heart, promising guidance and support. The phrase "I am helped" indicates a direct response from God to the psalmist's faith, aligning with the biblical principle that God aids those who rely on Him, as seen in Isaiah 41:10, where God promises strength and assistance to His people.

Therefore my heart rejoices,
The result of divine help and protection is joy, a common response in the Psalms to God's intervention. This joy is not merely emotional but a profound sense of well-being and gratitude. In the New Testament, joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), indicating a deep-seated contentment that comes from a relationship with God. The psalmist's rejoicing is a testament to the transformative power of God's presence and aid.

and I give thanks to Him with my song.
Thanksgiving and praise are integral to worship in the Bible, often expressed through music and song. The psalmist's response of singing reflects the cultural and religious practice of using music to honor God, as seen in the Psalms and throughout Israel's history. This act of worship is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16). The use of song as a form of thanksgiving underscores the joy and gratitude that flow from experiencing God's help and protection.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people.

2. David (Implied Author)
Traditionally attributed to King David, who often expressed his reliance on God amidst trials.

3. The Psalmist's Heart
Represents the inner being and emotions of the psalmist, highlighting a personal relationship with God.

4. Enemies (Implied Context)
Though not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the surrounding context of the psalm suggests adversaries or challenges faced by the psalmist.

5. Song of Thanksgiving
The response of the psalmist to God's deliverance, indicating a public or personal expression of gratitude.
Teaching Points
God as Our Strength and Shield
Recognize that God is both our source of strength and our protector. In times of weakness or danger, we can rely on His power and defense.

Trusting God with Our Whole Heart
Trust is not just intellectual assent but involves our entire being. Like the psalmist, we should cultivate a deep, heartfelt trust in God.

Experiencing God's Help
When we trust in God, we can expect His help. This assurance should lead us to live confidently, knowing that God is actively involved in our lives.

Responding with Gratitude
Our natural response to God's help should be gratitude. Whether through song, prayer, or testimony, expressing thanks is a vital part of our faith journey.

The Power of Worship
Worship, through song or other means, is a powerful way to express our joy and gratitude to God. It strengthens our faith and encourages others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God as both strength and shield impact your daily life and challenges?

2. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper trust in God, especially during difficult times?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's help. How did you respond, and how can you incorporate gratitude into your daily routine?

4. How does the concept of God as a shield relate to the New Testament teaching on the armor of God?

5. What are some practical ways you can incorporate worship and thanksgiving into your life, both personally and within your community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 18:2
This verse also describes the LORD as a rock, fortress, and deliverer, reinforcing the imagery of God as a protector.

Ephesians 6:16
The shield of faith in the armor of God parallels the concept of God as a shield, emphasizing trust and protection.

Philippians 4:6-7
Encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, similar to the psalmist's response of gratitude.

Isaiah 12:2
Declares God as strength and salvation, echoing the themes of trust and deliverance found in Psalm 28:7.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Calls for rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving, aligning with the psalmist's exultation and song of thanks.
A Sacred SoloPsalm 28:7
The Lord Acknowledged and PraisedO. T. Adams.Psalm 28:7
The Security of Those Who have God for Their Strength and ShieldJ. Robertson.Psalm 28:7
A Cry for HelpJ. E. Scott.Psalm 28:1-7
A Supplication Metaphorically ExpressedHomilistPsalm 28:1-7
The Instincts of the HeartW. Forsyth, M. A.Psalm 28:1-7
The Prayer of a Saint in DistressPsalm 28:1-7
The Seeming Silence of GodJ. Hunter, D. D.Psalm 28:1-7
The Silence of GodW. A. Gray.Psalm 28:1-7
The Silence of GodA. Warr, M. A.Psalm 28:1-7
The Silences of GodH. Allen, D. D.Psalm 28:1-7
Man's Cry and God's ResponseW. Forsyth Psalm 28:1-9
Providence and PrayerC. Clemance Psalm 28:1-9
The Oppressed Righteous KingC. Short Psalm 28:1-9
A Glorious AnswerJ. E. Scott.Psalm 28:6-8
A Thanksgiving Truly InspiredHomilistPsalm 28:6-8
The Fact of Answered Prayer DemonstratedA. R. Wells.Psalm 28:6-8
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Breastplate, Cause, Confided, Exulteth, Exults, Faith, Full, Greatly, Heart, Helped, Joy, Leaps, Praise, Rapture, Rejoices, Rejoiceth, Shield, Song, Strength, Thank, Thanks, Trusted, Trusts
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 28:7

     1205   God, titles of
     5503   rich, the
     5527   shield
     5841   ecstasy
     5844   emotions
     5876   helpfulness
     7963   song
     8031   trust, importance
     8215   confidence, results
     8288   joy, of Israel
     8666   praise, manner and methods

Psalm 28:1-9

     8610   prayer, asking God

Psalm 28:6-7

     8665   praise, reasons

Psalm 28:6-8

     6688   mercy, demonstration of God's

Psalm 28:7-8

     5490   refuge
     8486   spiritual warfare, armour

Library
Exegetic.
(i) As of the De Spiritu Sancto, so of the Hexæmeron, no further account need be given here. It may, however, be noted that the Ninth Homily ends abruptly, and the latter, and apparently more important, portion of the subject is treated of at less length than the former. Jerome [472] and Cassiodorus [473] speak of nine homilies only on the creation. Socrates [474] says the Hexæmeron was completed by Gregory of Nyssa. Three orations are published among Basil's works, two on the creation
Basil—Basil: Letters and Select Works

Christ is All
MY text is so very short that you cannot forget it; and, I am quite certain, if you are Christians at all, you will be sure to agree with it. What a multitude of religions there is in this poor wicked world of ours! Men have taken it into their heads to invent various systems of religion and if you look round the world, you will see scores of different sects; but it is a great fact that, while there is a multitude of false religions, there is but one that is true. While there are many falsehoods,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Great Privilege of those that are Born of God
"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." 1 John 3:9. 1. It has been frequently supposed, that the being born of God was all one with the being justified; that the new birth and justification were only different expressions, denoting the same thing: It being certain, on the one hand, that whoever is justified is also born of God; and, on the other, that whoever is born of God is also justified; yea, that both these gifts of God are given to every believer in one and the same moment. In one
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Religion Pleasant to the Religious.
"O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."--Psalm xxxiv. 8. You see by these words what love Almighty God has towards us, and what claims He has upon our love. He is the Most High, and All-Holy. He inhabiteth eternity: we are but worms compared with Him. He would not be less happy though He had never created us; He would not be less happy though we were all blotted out again from creation. But He is the God of love; He brought us all into existence,
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

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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