Psalm 119 114

Psalm 119:114 kjv

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Psalm 119:114 nkjv

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

Psalm 119:114 niv

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Psalm 119:114 esv

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

Psalm 119:114 nlt

You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 114 Meaning

Psalm 119:114 expresses the psalmist’s profound confidence in God as his ultimate refuge and defense. He declares that God is his secure dwelling and strong protector, and this trust is rooted entirely in the revealed truth and promises of God’s Word. The verse beautifully combines an affirmation of God's character with the psalmist's active reliance and patient expectation in what God has spoken.

Psalm 119 114 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, an acrostic poem with 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight verses within a stanza begins with that letter. This specific verse (114) falls within the "Tsadhe" (צ) section. The overarching theme of Psalm 119 is the profound love, delight, and obedience of the psalmist to God's law, testimonies, statutes, precepts, commandments, rules, and word, often used interchangeably to refer to the comprehensive revelation of God's will. Throughout the psalm, the author continually finds solace, wisdom, and direction in God's revealed Word, often expressing his vulnerability and need for God's protection and guidance. Verse 114 connects the personal experience of God as protector directly to the certainty found in His Word, fitting seamlessly within the broader context of relying entirely on God's commands and promises. It grounds the psalmist's sense of security not in circumstances or personal strength, but in God’s faithful revelation.

Psalm 119 114 Word analysis

• Thou art: Emphasizes God's inherent nature and eternal existence. It is a direct and personal declaration of divine character.
• my hiding place (מַחְסֶה - makhseh): Refers to a place of refuge, shelter, or asylum from danger, storm, or attack. It speaks of a secure dwelling where one is safe from the external world, providing passive security and peace amidst threats.
• and my shield (וּמָגֵן - ūmāgēn): Refers to a defensive weapon used to ward off blows, arrows, or attacks. It signifies active protection and defense against enemies or harm. It highlights God as the dynamic protector, absorbing and deflecting the forces of evil.
• I hope (יָחַלְתִּי - yāḥaltî): This Hebrew word implies more than a mere wish. It signifies a strong, patient, and persistent waiting with confident expectation. It is an active reliance and trust, a state of mind and spirit that patiently looks to God's future action or fulfillment of His promises.
• in thy word (בִּדְבָרֶךָ - bidvārkā): "Word" here (דְבָר - davar) encapsulates God's entire revealed will—His promises, commands, testimonies, and prophecies. It is the dependable, trustworthy, and unchanging basis upon which the psalmist's hope is anchored. This phrase makes clear that the psalmist's hope is not based on general optimism or personal feelings, but on the concrete, divine communication.

Words-group analysis:

• Thou art my hiding place and my shield: This phrase declares two complementary aspects of God's protection. "Hiding place" speaks to secure dwelling from external threats, providing sanctuary. "Shield" speaks to active defense against attacks, deflecting harm. God is both sanctuary and defender, offering both passive security and active protection. The possessive "my" indicates a deeply personal and experiential relationship with God.
• I hope in thy word: This links the psalmist's experience of divine protection directly to God's revelation. The security is not arbitrary or merely emotional; it is founded on the reliability and truthfulness of God's communication. The "word" (davar) is not just written text but the living, active, and powerful utterance of God, upon which all trust and expectation rest. This signifies a theological certainty that divine promises are fulfilled, forming the solid ground for enduring hope.

Psalm 119 114 Bonus section

This verse, within the Tsadhe section of Psalm 119, emphasizes the contrast between worldly pressures and the unshakable steadfastness found in God's character and Word. While the psalmist might be surrounded by evildoers or those who forget God's law, his security is found entirely elsewhere. The progression of thought, moving from God’s inherent character ("Thou art") to His active revelation ("thy word") as the basis for hope, reflects a deeply theological understanding. This is not just a plea for protection but a declaration of already existing protection and hope, rooting the psalmist's faith firmly in God's revealed identity and fidelity. It underlines that for the believer, true security is less about what surrounds them and more about who is with them and what they have committed to.

Psalm 119 114 Commentary

Psalm 119:114 is a concise yet profound statement of faith, encapsulating the believer’s dual experience of God. First, God is acknowledged as the source of absolute security, depicted by two vivid metaphors: a "hiding place" and a "shield." As a hiding place, He offers refuge and a secure sanctuary from all dangers and overwhelming circumstances, granting a deep sense of inner peace. As a shield, He provides active defense, protecting from spiritual assaults, worldly harm, and all the threats life may bring. The declaration "Thou art my..." highlights the personal and intimate nature of this relationship.

Second, the verse reveals the ground for this deep security: "I hope in thy word." This hope is not a passive wish but an active, patient, and confident waiting that is firmly anchored in the certainty of God's revealed will—His promises, statutes, and commands. It implies an intellectual conviction that God is faithful to what He says, leading to a spiritual trust that transcends current circumstances. The psalmist finds not just instruction in the Word, but the very basis for unwavering hope and a steadfast life. Thus, true safety and expectation come not from human strength or external circumstances, but solely from God’s reliable character as expressed through His unchanging Word.