Psalm 7:10 kjv
My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
Psalm 7:10 nkjv
My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart.
Psalm 7:10 niv
My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.
Psalm 7:10 esv
My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.
Psalm 7:10 nlt
God is my shield,
saving those whose hearts are true and right.
Psalm 7 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 15:1 | "Do not be afraid, Abram; I am your shield, your very great reward." | God as a protective shield. |
| Deut 33:29 | "Happy are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, your shield and helper..." | God as shield and helper for His people. |
| 2 Sam 22:3 | "My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold..." | God as refuge and salvation. |
| 2 Sam 22:31 | "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." | God's perfect way and His protection. |
| Ps 3:3 | "But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." | God as personal defense and restorer. |
| Ps 18:2 | "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." | God as strength, shield, deliverer. |
| Ps 28:7 | "The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped..." | God as source of strength and trust. |
| Ps 33:20 | "Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield." | Waiting on God for help and defense. |
| Ps 34:15 | "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry." | God watches and hears the righteous. |
| Ps 34:17 | "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles." | God delivers the righteous from trouble. |
| Ps 37:39 | "The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble." | God as stronghold and source of salvation. |
| Ps 84:11 | "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor..." | God as provider and protector. |
| Ps 140:7 | "Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle." | God's strong deliverance in conflict. |
| Prov 2:7 | "He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless..." | God blesses and shields the upright. |
| Prov 10:29 | "The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but it is ruin to those who do evil." | God strengthens the blameless. |
| Isa 26:7 | "The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth." | God makes way for the righteous. |
| Nah 1:7 | "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him." | God knows and protects His people. |
| Matt 5:8 | "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." | Emphasizes inner purity. |
| Rom 2:6 | "He will repay each person according to what they have done." | God's righteous judgment and repayment. |
| 2 Tim 4:18 | "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom." | God's ultimate rescue and preservation. |
| Heb 11:6 | "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." | God rewards faith and earnest seeking. |
| 1 Pet 3:12 | "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” | God favors and listens to the righteous. |
| James 5:16 | "...The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." | Power of prayer for the righteous. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." | God's discernment of the heart. |
Psalm 7 verses
Psalm 7 10 Meaning
Psalm 7:10 proclaims the psalmist's foundational trust that his ultimate protection and vindication come directly from God. It asserts that God Himself acts as the supreme deliverer, consistently saving and preserving those whose inner being, their will, intentions, and moral character, is pure and aligned with His ways. This verse declares God's role as a discerning and active Savior who defends those who walk with integrity of heart.
Psalm 7 10 Context
Psalm 7 is a passionate plea by David for God's vindication against false accusations. Addressed "concerning Cush, a Benjamite," it places the psalmist in a specific context of intense, unjust persecution. David, appealing to God as the righteous Judge, boldly asserts his innocence (vv. 3-5), inviting God to judge him if his hands are defiled. He calls upon God to arise and execute justice against his enemies (vv. 6-9). Within this backdrop of David's earnest desire for righteous judgment, verse 10 functions as a confident declaration of his reliance on God's character. Knowing that God is the one who "tests hearts and minds" (v. 9), David proclaims his unwavering faith that his defense rests solely with this all-knowing and all-saving God who defends the truly "upright in heart"—a quality David claims for himself by appealing to God's just assessment.
Psalm 7 10 Word analysis
- My defence (מָגִנִּי, maginnī): Derived from the Hebrew word magen (מָגֵן), meaning "shield," "buckler," or "protector." It depicts God as a personal defensive weapon or protective covering. This metaphor emphasizes God's active role in shielding David from harm and upholding his cause. Its possessive suffix "my" highlights a personal, intimate relationship with God as the psalmist's exclusive guardian.
- is of God (עַל־אֱלֹהִים, `al-Elohim):
- עַל (`al): This preposition often means "upon," "over," "against," or "concerning." In this context, it denotes origin or ultimate source, indicating that David's protection "rests with" or "comes from" God. It emphasizes God's sovereignty as the foundation and provider of this defense.
- אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): The generic, majestic plural name for God, indicating His supreme power, authority, and status as the Creator and Judge of all. The use of Elohim reinforces the absolute power and divine nature of the ultimate Defender.
- which saveth (מוֹשִׁיעַ, moshiya`): This is a participle from the root yasha` (יָשַׁע), meaning "to save," "to deliver," "to help," or "to grant victory." The participial form signifies an ongoing characteristic or action; God is continuously "the one who saves." It points to God's enduring disposition and capability as a rescuer and liberator.
- the upright (יִשְׁרֵי, yishrei): From the root yashar (יָשָׁר), meaning "straight," "right," "just," "blameless," or "ethically correct." It describes a moral rectitude and integrity, a consistency in adhering to divine standards. It speaks to sincere conduct, free from crookedness or deceit.
- in heart (לֵבָב, levav): The Hebrew concept of "heart" (לֵב lev or לֵבָב levav) is much broader than merely emotions. It encompasses the entirety of the inner person: intellect, will, conscience, moral disposition, intentions, and thoughts. Thus, "upright in heart" signifies genuine inner integrity, not merely outward appearance or superficial piety. God discerns and values this internal condition.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "My defence is of God": This phrase serves as a foundational statement of faith, declaring total reliance on God as the sole source of ultimate protection and vindication. It stands in stark contrast to seeking human alliances or relying on self-strength, pointing to an absolute theological certainty.
- "which saveth the upright in heart": This clause specifies God's character and the objects of His salvation. It highlights divine discernment and justice, indicating that God's saving action is not arbitrary but specifically directed towards those who possess true moral and spiritual integrity at their core. It provides hope and assurance to the psalmist (and to believers) who strive for such uprightness, that their true character will be recognized and defended by God.
Psalm 7 10 Bonus section
- The emphasis on "heart" aligns with a core biblical theme that God examines internal truth more than external presentation (e.g., 1 Sam 16:7). This polemically contrasts with any ancient pagan beliefs where appeasement or ritual performance might take precedence over genuine internal devotion.
- The depiction of God as a "shield" is a recurring and highly significant military metaphor throughout the Bible, symbolizing impregnable security and active intervention against enemies, elevated from mere earthly defensive tools to the divine nature itself.
- This verse establishes a vital link between divine protection and human character. God is not merely a cosmic force but a moral agent whose salvation is tethered to His ethical attributes, saving those who reflect His righteousness internally.
Psalm 7 10 Commentary
Psalm 7:10 encapsulates David's profound trust in God's just character and delivering power. Facing malicious accusations, David does not despair or rely on human defense but anchors his hope entirely in God. This verse reveals God as the personal Shield who not only provides protection but also discerns the genuine character of individuals. His saving acts are precisely directed towards those who possess a heart unbent by sin and devoted to truth—a "pure in heart" righteousness that goes beyond mere outward actions to encompass the very core of one's being. This divine discrimination offers both comfort to the righteous and a stark warning to the wicked. It confirms that God's salvation is an expression of His justice, always siding with and delivering those whose integrity originates from within, regardless of external circumstances or false accusations. For believers, this is a timeless truth: ultimate security and vindication reside not in our own strength or the approval of others, but in the all-sufficient, heart-knowing defense of the Almighty.
Example: When faced with slandering words, a believer can stand on this verse, finding peace in the knowledge that God, who knows the heart, is their ultimate defender. This truth encourages striving for internal purity, knowing it aligns one with divine protection.