Psalm 115 10

Psalm 115:10 kjv

O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:10 nkjv

O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:10 niv

House of Aaron, trust in the LORD? he is their help and shield.

Psalm 115:10 esv

O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:10 nlt

O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the LORD!
He is your helper and your shield.

Psalm 115 verses

Psalm 115 10 Meaning

Psalm 115:10 calls specifically upon the House of Aaron, the priestly lineage of Israel, to place their complete trust in Yahweh. This trust is not presented as an option but as a vital dependence, affirming that the Lord alone serves as their ultimate help and protective shield. It emphasizes God's active role as provider and defender for those dedicated to His service, encouraging an unshakeable faith in His character and power above all else.

Psalm 115 10 Context

Psalm 115 is a communal lament and praise psalm, possibly post-exilic, uttered by the Israelites in response to taunts from surrounding nations (v. 2) asking "Where is their God?" The psalm primarily contrasts the impotence and deadness of pagan idols with the living, active, and sovereign God of Israel, Yahweh, who is in the heavens and does whatever He pleases (v. 3). The psalm sequentially encourages three distinct groups within Israel to trust in the Lord: "the house of Israel" (v. 9), "the house of Aaron" (v. 10), and "those who fear the LORD" (v. 11). Each appeal is immediately followed by the declaration that "He is their help and their shield." This structure underlines the universal applicability of divine help and protection to all who genuinely belong to God's covenant people. For the House of Aaron, specifically, this encouragement addresses those who minister intimately before God, emphasizing their need to rely on His strength, not their own priestly office or human wisdom.

Psalm 115 10 Word analysis

• O house of Aaron (בֵּית אַהֲרֹן, Beth Aharon):

  • "O house of": This phrase functions as a direct, imperative address, drawing specific attention to the lineage and institution of the priesthood. It is not just addressing individuals, but the collective body of priests, implying their unique role and responsibility.
  • "Aaron": Refers to the descendants of Aaron, brother of Moses, who were set apart by God for priestly service in the tabernacle and later the temple (Exod 28; Num 3). They were responsible for mediatorial functions, sacrifices, teaching the law, and blessing the people. This specific mention underscores that even those entrusted with sacred duties must still place their reliance on God Himself. Their leadership demands an exemplary faith.

• trust (בָּטְחוּ, baṭḥū from בָּטַח, batach):

  • This verb in the imperative is a command for absolute confidence and reliance. It means to feel secure, to be confident, to rely fully on someone, to cling to them for safety. It signifies moving from self-reliance or reliance on any human or created thing to an exclusive dependence on Yahweh. For the priests, this meant not trusting in their rituals, their status, or human alliances.

• in the Lord (בַּיהוָה, bāYHWH):

  • "the Lord": Specifically refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This is the personal, revealed name of God, emphasizing His unique relationship with Israel and His power as the Creator and Redeemer. The object of trust is not a generic deity but the living, active God who acts on behalf of His people. This differentiates Israel's God from the impotent gods of the nations mentioned throughout Psalm 115.

• he is (הוּא, hû):

  • This pronoun serves to emphatically state the identity of the 'help' and 'shield'. It reiterates and confirms that He alone, Yahweh, is the one who performs these actions, not any other source.

• their help (עֶזְרָם, ʿezrām from עֵזֶר, ezer):

  • "help": This term denotes assistance, aid, support, or succor. It implies practical intervention and active support in times of need or weakness. God is the one who actively comes to their aid and provides what they lack. This is a common divine attribute in Psalms, depicting God as the ever-present rescuer.

• and their shield (וּמָגִנָּם, ūmāḡinnām from מָגֵן, magēn):

  • "and their": The conjunction links the two divine roles.
  • "shield": A defensive weapon, symbolizing protection from danger, enemies, or harm. God is portrayed as an active protector who stands between His people and their adversaries. This highlights God's sovereign care and defensive power, safeguarding them spiritually and physically.

• "O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;": This phrase highlights that the highest form of spiritual service (the priesthood) must be founded on profound and active faith. Their mediatorial role depends not on their inherent sanctity but on God's sustaining power. This directly contrasts the reliance on human institutions or pagan deities.

• "he is their help and their shield.": This second half provides the divine reason and motivation for the command to trust. God is not simply a passive observer; He is the active source of divine assistance and impenetrable protection. These twin roles underscore His complete provision for every need and danger, affirming His omnipotence and faithfulness.

Psalm 115 10 Bonus section

The progressive call to trust given to "the house of Israel" (v. 9), "the house of Aaron" (v. 10), and "those who fear the Lord" (v. 11) indicates an inclusive encouragement to all within the covenant community, regardless of specific status. While v. 10 specifically addresses the priests, its principle extends universally to underscore that the divine Help and Shield are available to all who obey the call to trust. This structured appeal implicitly counters any elitist notions, suggesting that even those most dedicated to divine service must ground their existence in simple, unadulterated faith in God. The specific mention of Aaron’s house highlights that proximity to sacred duties does not negate the fundamental need for personal reliance on God. It emphasizes that reliance on ritual or external religious forms without inward trust in the living God is futile.

Psalm 115 10 Commentary

Psalm 115:10 offers a pointed call for the priestly order of Israel, the House of Aaron, to firmly place their faith and reliance on the Lord. In a context surrounded by nations trusting in lifeless idols and even within Israel's own history of wavering faith, this command serves as a critical directive. The priests, as the spiritual leaders and mediators of the covenant, bore a unique responsibility. Their integrity and effectiveness in ministry were not to derive from their ceremonial office, their human wisdom, or their strategic alliances, but solely from their dependence on Yahweh. The assertion that God is "their help and their shield" is both a descriptive truth and an encouraging promise. It confirms God's unchanging nature as a powerful deliverer and an unyielding protector for those who trust Him. This message transcends ancient Israel; it profoundly instructs spiritual leaders and, by extension, all believers today. We, as a royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9), are likewise called to minister in total reliance on the Living God, not on our own strengths, ministries, or institutions. Our effectiveness and spiritual defense come solely from Christ, who is our ultimate Help and Shield. For instance, in moments of spiritual warfare, theological perplexity, or personal weakness, true strength and safety are found not in human reasoning or popular opinion, but in unwavering trust in the Lord's active intervention and steadfast defense.