The Lord is My Strength
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7)
Lord (YHWH, or Jehovah) is “the existing One,” the one true God.
He is my strength (oz). Strength can be material or physical strength, and can refer to personal, social or political might. This word is also translated elsewhere as boldness, might, power, strong, mighty, stronghold.
Shield (magen): also translated defense, rulers.
My heart (leb): inner man, mind, will, understanding.
Trusts (batach): to trust in, to have confidence, to be secure, to feel safe.
Helps (azar): to succor, support. Also translated ally, helper, protect, restrains, supporting.
Leaps for joy (exults) (alaz): to rejoice, triumph; become jubilant.
Praise (yadah): to give thanks, laud; to confess the name of God.[1]
What are you facing today? Are you just sick and tired of all the quarantine restrictions? Are you terrified of what will happen to you or to your loved one if you contract the virus—or if something catastrophic happens to you?
Rejoice! Because “The Lord is your strength and your shield.” That doesn’t mean trouble will pass you by. But it does mean that the same God who created you and loved you enough to send His son to die for you will walk through the situation with you. Therefore, let your heart leap for joy and praise Him.
(See my article Belly Botany Bible Study for more on this method of meditating on God’s Word.
Go Deeper
[1] See studylight.org.
