There are countless wrong things in the world right now. Reminders that we weren’t created for this earth. Longings in our spirits for a better place. There’s so much darkness and weariness. On a global level, on a national level, and I’m sure on a personal level. I wish I could sit with you, dear reader, to hear your story and bear witness to all that you’re enduring right now. Listen to what you’re personally surviving. 

We might not be formed and fashioned for eternity on this earth, but there is a purpose to our time here. There is a reason for our living and being. 

In hopes that I don’t sound too much like Job’s friends as he faced the worst of circumstances, I write today to offer some comfort and strength. In the midst of all that you’re going through and growing through, I want to take a moment to encourage your soul.

You are not alone. Even if it feels like you are. You are not forgotten. You are not overlooked. You are seen, heard, loved, and cared for by a God who sees all, knows all, and above all understands.

As we make our way through the Psalms, there are quite a few instances of the word “shield” that have stayed with me over the past month. 

As you read these passages, I want to call to mind that over and over, David writes about his enemies. A shield would not be needed if there wasn’t an enemy.

“Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’ But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from his holy mountain.” – Psalm 3:1-4

“Arise, Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice… My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.” – Psalm 7:6, 10

“‘I love You, O Lord, my strength.’ The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” – Psalm 18:1-3

“As for God, his way is perfect: the Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” – Psalm 18:30-32

The world for shield in each of these passages is māḡēn. Not gonna lie, it’s pretty cool to find a Hebrew word that’s close to your name. Blue Letter Bible defines it as “a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile… a shield; metaphorically–of God, as a protector.”

God is our shield–our protector. We may be surrounded by an enemy, but we are also surrounded by God. He is greater than anything we face. 

There was another Psalm that was highlighted for its use of “shield”, but this one uses a different Hebrew word. 

“Lead me, Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies—make Your way straight before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies. Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against You. But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.” – Psalm 5:8-12

The word for shield here is ṣinnâ. And yes, I was reading The Hunger Games in my spare time then so yes, I thought of Cinna. Blue Letter Bible’s definition for this word is “a hook (as pointed); also a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness)… large shield (covering whole body).”

I love the picture this paints. It’s a large shield, not just something to guard our hearts, but an all-sufficient covering for our whole body. Not one part missed, not one member deemed unworthy. And if the first shield references a crocodile’s hide (impenetrable), then I imagine this kind of shield to be like a porcupine with its “prickliness”. 

And what exactly does Psalm 8:12 say we’re surrounded with as a shield? His favor. 

I’ve been meaning to write this blog for a few weeks, when I first looked up these definitions for shield. Today, I felt drawn to look up that word favor. I believe it ties it all together, but I must pause to interject. God really loves the details. One of my favorite shows is Shrinking on Apple TV. I’ll warn that it has some strong language, but I laugh out loud, I cry, I relate. Liz is one of my favorite characters. This past week she wore a sweatshirt that says “raison d’etre”. Of course I had to research it; it’s a French phrase that translates to “reason for being”. 

Totally random, yes, but I love how closely “raison” looks to this Hebrew word for favor: rāṣôn. (Okay, Lord, you have my attention). That definition for rāṣôn is “delight (especially as shown); goodwill, favor, acceptance, will; satisfaction.”

His delight and satisfaction surround you like a shield. Protecting you. Guarding you. Preserving you. Because He loves you. 

And while it’s a different definition for delight, I want to leave you with one of my favorite passages that I’ve referenced many times before… 

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” – 2 Samuel 22:17-20 (Psalm 18:16-19)