Psalm 115 9

Psalm 115:9 kjv

O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:9 nkjv

O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:9 niv

All you Israelites, trust in the LORD? he is their help and shield.

Psalm 115:9 esv

O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:9 nlt

O Israel, trust the LORD!
He is your helper and your shield.

Psalm 115 verses

Psalm 115 9 Meaning

Psalm 115:9 is a direct exhortation to the nation of Israel to place their complete reliance and confidence in Yahweh, the one true God. It asserts God's essential nature and active role as their unwavering aid and protective defense, sharply contrasting His power with the impotence of idols described earlier in the chapter. The verse calls Israel to live out its covenant relationship by consistently trusting in the personal, living God who both assists them in need and shields them from harm.

Psalm 115 9 Context

Psalm 115 belongs to a series of Psalms (113-118) known as the "Egyptian Hallel," traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals, including Passover. The chapter vividly contrasts the living, sovereign God of Israel with the lifeless, impotent idols worshipped by surrounding nations (Ps 115:4-8). These idols are characterized as mute, blind, deaf, having hands that cannot feel, feet that cannot walk, and throats that cannot make a sound, leading to the sharp pronouncement: "Those who make them become like them" (Ps 115:8), implying their spiritual deadness.

Verse 9, along with verses 10 and 11, then shifts from polemics against idolatry to a direct exhortation to specific groups within Israelite society: "O Israel," "O house of Aaron," and "You who fear the LORD." This immediate context highlights the necessity for God's people to understand who He is in contrast to false deities and, consequently, to place their complete faith and dependence upon Him. The psalm assures that the God who "is in the heavens" and "does all that he pleases" (Ps 115:3) is precisely the one who offers true help and protection, unlike the lifeless gods of the Gentiles. The historical backdrop for Israel’s identity and experience with God—marked by His deliverance from Egypt and sustained presence—further strengthens this call to unwavering trust.

Psalm 115 9 Word analysis

• O Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisrael): This is a direct, imperative address to the covenant people of God, descending from Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel, meaning "struggles with God"). It signifies God's personal call to His chosen nation, highlighting their unique relationship and divine election. The address is not merely general but targets the collective body of believers within the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, recalling their historical experiences of divine help and deliverance.

• trust (בִּטְחוּ, biṭ'ḥū): This is an imperative verb, a command, from the Hebrew root בָּטַח (bāṭaḥ). It conveys the meaning of being confident, secure, to rely upon, to put one's trust in, or even to 'throw oneself upon'. It implies a strong sense of leaning into something reliable, feeling safe, and having a secure confidence that one will not be moved or disappointed. It's an active reliance, not a passive belief, contrasting sharply with trust in unreliable things like idols.

• in the LORD (בַּֽיהוָה, ba'Yĕhovah): This refers to Yahweh (יְהוָה, YHWH), the personal, covenant name of God revealed to Moses (Ex 3:14-15). This name signifies God's self-existent, eternal, and unchanging nature, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The use of "Yahweh" explicitly distinguishes Him from any other deities; He is not a generic god but the specific, revealed God of Israel, embodying supreme power, holiness, and active presence.

• he is (הוּא, hû): This emphatic pronoun serves to highlight the identity and inherent nature of God. It functions like "He, even He, is..." underscoring that it is Yahweh Himself, and no other, who embodies the qualities that follow. It emphasizes God's unique singularity and competence.

• their help (עֶזְרָם, ‘ezrām): Derived from עֵזֶר (‘ēzer), meaning "helper" or "aid." This signifies God as the active provider of assistance, relief, or succor, especially in times of distress, weakness, or vulnerability. It suggests a strong, supportive presence that intervenes on behalf of those in need, similar to a battle ally or someone providing crucial support. It speaks to God’s dynamic engagement in the lives of His people.

• and their shield (וּמָגִנָּם, ūmāḡinām): Derived from מָגֵן (māḡēn), meaning "shield" or "buckler." This metaphor portrays God as the protector, the defensive barrier against attack, danger, or evil. Just as a physical shield wards off blows, God's divine presence acts as a safeguard, deflecting spiritual and physical assaults. It speaks to God’s preserving power and His provision of security for those who trust Him.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "O Israel, trust in the LORD": This forms the imperative core of the verse, a direct and essential command. It’s a call to the nation as a corporate body, signifying that their very national existence and well-being are dependent on this active faith in Yahweh. This call is rooted in God’s past faithfulness and present ability.
  • "he is their help and their shield": This clause provides the foundational reason for the command to trust. God is not simply able to help and shield, but He is (in His very essence and action) the source of help and protection for them. The conjunction "and" links these two aspects, showing comprehensive provision: God helps in situations where aid is needed and defends where protection is required. This establishes God as both an active supporter and a defensive safeguard.

Psalm 115 9 Bonus section

• The structure of Psalms 115:9-11 (addressed to "Israel," "house of Aaron," "those who fear the LORD") is a three-fold call, possibly mirroring a liturgical setting, inviting various segments of the worshipping community to express their trust in God.
• The phrase "he is their help and their shield" functions almost as a title or a fixed descriptive phrase for Yahweh, underscoring His unwavering character and relationship to His covenant people. It is a recurring theme found throughout the Psalms.
• This verse emphasizes an "active dependence" rather than passive waiting. Trusting in the LORD implies aligning one's life, decisions, and actions with His will, confident that He will provide and protect. It's a rejection of both idolatry and self-sufficiency.

Psalm 115 9 Commentary

Psalm 115:9 encapsulates a fundamental tenet of Israelite faith and serves as a vital call to the people of God across generations. Following a stark depiction of pagan idols as useless and dead, this verse pivots sharply to Yahweh, the living God, and the appropriate response to His supremacy. The command "trust in the LORD" is not merely advice but an authoritative imperative, essential for their national and spiritual well-being. This trust, bāṭaḥ, is a confident reliance rooted in God's immutable character and demonstrated faithfulness throughout history, contrasting with the empty hope placed in human inventions.

The theological foundation for this trust is explicitly stated: "he is their help and their shield." God is presented not merely as someone who provides help or a shield, but as the very embodiment of these functions for His people. "Help" (‘ēzer) speaks of divine assistance in weakness, need, or distress, a constant aid in their journeys and conflicts. "Shield" (māḡēn) evokes imagery of defense and protection from adversaries, danger, and affliction. These dual roles cover both offensive and defensive aspects of God's active engagement with His people. He actively supports them in their endeavors and passively protects them from harm. This comprehensive description serves as the profound encouragement for Israel to put their total confidence in the living God, rejecting the futility of idols and human self-reliance. This truth reverberates throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Covenant's call for believers to likewise trust in Christ as their ultimate help and salvation.