Psalms 115:11
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Original Language Analysis
בַיהוָ֑ה
in the LORD
H3068
בַיהוָ֑ה
in the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בִּטְח֣וּ
trust
H982
בִּטְח֣וּ
trust
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
בַיהוָ֑ה
in the LORD
H3068
בַיהוָ֑ה
in the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Proverbs 14:26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.Acts 10:35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.Proverbs 30:5Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.Revelation 19:5And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.Psalms 33:18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;Psalms 22:23Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.Psalms 147:11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.Psalms 103:11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Historical Context
Psalm 115 likely dates to the post-exilic period when Israel faced mockery: "Where is their God?" (v. 2). The threefold call to trust (Israel, Aaron, God-fearers) reflects the worshiping community structure after the return from Babylon. This verse specifically addresses the God-fearers, likely including Gentile converts who had aligned themselves with Israel's God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'fearing the LORD' lead naturally to trusting Him, rather than creating anxiety?
- In what areas of life are you tempted to trust in human 'shields' rather than God as both helper and defender?
Analysis & Commentary
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD (יִרְאֵי יְהוָה בִּטְחוּ בַּיהוָה)—The psalmist moves from calling on the house of Aaron to address all God-fearers. The Hebrew yir'ei YHWH (those who fear the LORD) became a technical term for Gentile converts and sympathizers in Second Temple Judaism (Acts 10:2, 13:16). The imperative bitchu (trust!) intensifies the call: those who reverence God must actively depend on Him.
He is their help and their shield (עֶזְרָם וּמָגִנָּם הוּא)—The pronoun placement is emphatic: "He Himself is their help and shield." This echoes Abraham's promise, "I am your shield" (Genesis 15:1). The combination of ezer (help, active aid) and magen (shield, defensive protection) encompasses both God's offensive intervention and defensive covering—a complete security unavailable from lifeless idols (verses 4-8).