Psalm 28 8

Psalm 28:8 kjv

The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

Psalm 28:8 nkjv

The LORD is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.

Psalm 28:8 niv

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Psalm 28:8 esv

The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

Psalm 28:8 nlt

The LORD gives his people strength.
He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.

Psalm 28 verses

Psalm 28 8 Meaning

Psalm 28:8 articulates a profound declaration of God’s nature as the supreme protector and empowerer of His creation. It asserts that the Lord (Yahweh) is the unchanging source of "strength" for His chosen people, signifying His capacity to provide spiritual, physical, and communal fortitude. Simultaneously, the verse proclaims Him as the "saving refuge" for "His anointed," emphasizing His role as an impenetrable sanctuary and the one who grants complete, multifaceted deliverance, especially to the one He has divinely appointed for leadership and purpose. This verse provides reassurance that divine protection and empowerment are continually active for both the community and its divinely appointed representative.

Psalm 28 8 Context

Psalm 28 is a Davidic prayer, beginning with a desperate cry for God's attention and a plea to be spared from the fate of the wicked (v. 1-5). Following this initial supplication, the psalm transitions to a joyful expression of trust and praise, as the psalmist declares God has heard his petition (v. 6). Verse 8, therefore, functions as a confident declaration of God's character and steadfast nature, affirming the basis for the psalmist's renewed hope and gratitude. This truth then leads into the concluding prayer in verse 9, where the psalmist intercedes for the ongoing salvation, strength, and shepherding of God's people, implicitly including himself as the anointed king. Historically, as a royal psalm, it would have affirmed God's sovereign care for Israel through the chosen king, particularly relevant during periods of conflict or internal strife where divine intervention was essential for the nation's security and future.

Psalm 28 8 Word analysis

• The Lord (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This sacred, covenantal name of God reveals His absolute sovereignty, faithfulness, and eternal self-existence. It underscores that the strength and salvation originate from the true, living God, distinct from any ephemeral or false idols.
• strength (עֹז, ʿoz): More than mere physical might, this term implies robust power, unwavering vigor, and an inherent ability to sustain. It conveys God's capacity to empower and fortify, serving as both an inner resilience and an external protection for His people, a literal "stronghold."
• his people (לָמוֹ, lāmō): A pronominal suffix meaning "to them" or "for them." In the context of the Psalms, it specifically denotes God's covenant community, Israel. This highlights God's exclusive commitment and benevolent care for His chosen nation, signifying a deeply personal relationship.
• saving refuge (מָעוֹז יְשׁוּעוֹת, māʿoz yᵊshûʿōṯ):
  • מָעוֹז (māʿoz): This noun means "stronghold," "fortress," or "defense." It vividly pictures God as an impregnable place of ultimate safety, inaccessible to enemies, providing secure shelter.
  • יְשׁוּעוֹת (yᵊshûʿōṯ): The plural form of "salvation" or "deliverance." The plural conveys completeness, abundance, or multifacetedness of God's deliverance. It suggests a comprehensive and repeated provision of rescue from various forms of peril, pointing to a holistic salvation.
• his anointed (מְשִׁיחוֹ, mᵊšîḥô): This term is mashiah with a possessive suffix, directly translating to "his Messiah" or "his anointed one." In the Old Testament, it primarily referred to the Israelite king, consecrated by anointing with oil as God's chosen representative. Prophetically, this word directly points to the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus Christ, who embodies the perfect kingship and performs ultimate salvation for God’s people.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "The Lord is the strength of his people": This declaration establishes Yahweh as the indispensable foundation of all power and endurance for His covenant community. It implies God's active, continuous empowerment and sustaining presence that enables His people to withstand adversity and flourish. This affirms God as the sole dependable resource, countering any inclination toward self-reliance or reliance on finite human systems.
• "he is the saving refuge of his anointed": This parallel phrase magnifies God’s role, presenting Him as a secure and salvific haven specifically for the divinely chosen leader. The combination of "saving" (in its comprehensive, abundant form) and "refuge" (an impregnable fortress) underscores God's active and complete preservation of His king. God ensures the protection and successful execution of the divine purpose through His chosen representative. The "anointed" (Messiah) serves as a focal point through whom God’s blessings and protection flow, ultimately finding its supreme manifestation in Christ, who is the comprehensive "saving refuge" for all who trust in Him.

Psalm 28 8 Bonus section

This verse exemplifies a crucial theological truth present throughout Scripture: the interconnectedness between God's chosen leader (the "anointed") and His people. The well-being of one is intrinsically linked to the other, serving as a conduit for God's blessings and protection. The phrase "saving refuge of his anointed" does not suggest that God becomes the anointed's refuge only when in need of salvation. Rather, it signifies that He is the secure place providing manifold salvations. This reflects God's proactive, faithful nature to protect and deliver those whom He has called and equipped for His purposes, ultimately revealing Christ as the King of Kings through whom all true and complete deliverance flows to God's universal people.

Psalm 28 8 Commentary

Psalm 28:8 offers a core affirmation of God's unyielding nature and His intimate relationship with both His collective people and His chosen representative. It asserts God's dual capacity: to empower His people with inner strength and resilience, and to act as a formidable, saving fortress for His appointed leader, the king. This verse stands as a confident statement of faith, foundational to David's petition and praise within the Psalm. It signifies that any true strength or deliverance experienced by Israel derived directly from Yahweh, channelled through His preservation and empowering of the anointed monarch. This timeless truth foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate Anointed One, who embodies all divine strength and serves as the perfect, eternal refuge for all of His spiritual people, the Church, extending comprehensive salvation to all who take shelter in Him.