Psalms 89:18

18 For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Psalms 89:18 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 89:18

For the Lord is our defence
From all their enemies, being all around them, as a wall of fire to protect them, and as the mountains were round about Jerusalem, and being kept by his power as in a fortress, strong hold, or garrison, unto salvation; or our shield {f}; see ( Psalms 84:9 Psalms 84:11 ) as are his favour, righteousness, and salvation, ( Psalms 5:12 ) ( 18:35 ) or "to the Lord belongs our defence or shield" F7 our protection and salvation is from him:

and the Holy One of Israel is our King;
he who was to be, and is of Israel according to the flesh, and is holy in his nature, life, and office; he is King of saints, that rules over them, protects and defends them, and therefore they must be happy: or "to" or "with the Holy One of Israel is our king" F8; Christ is King of Zion by designation, appointment, and constitution, of God the Holy One of Israel, the holy God that has chosen Israel for his peculiar people; though it rather seems that Christ is the Holy One by what follows.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (wnngm) "clypeus noster", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Tigurine version; "scutum nostrum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F7 (hwhyl) "Domino", Pagninus, Montanus.
F8 (larvy vdqlw) "et sancto Israelis", Pagninus, Montanus.

Psalms 89:18 In-Context

16 they exult in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness.
17 For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
19 Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said: "I have set the crown on one who is mighty, I have exalted one chosen from the people.
20 I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him;
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.