Lexical Summary socherah: Merchandise, trade, commerce Original Word: סֹחֵרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance buckler Properly, active participle feminine of cachar; something surrounding the person, i.e. A shield -- buckler. see HEBREW cachar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sachar Definition a buckler NASB Translation bulwark (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סֹחֵרָה noun feminine buckler; — Psalm 91:4 (+ צִנָּה; figurative of ׳י's faithfulness). Topical Lexicon Definition and Imagery סֹחֵרָה portrays the solid outer wall or rampart of a fortified city. When Psalm 91:4 links God’s faithfulness to such a structure, Scripture invites the reader to picture a massive, encircling defense that no enemy can penetrate. The term is paired with “shield” to create a double metaphor—mobile defense (shield) and immovable fortress (rampart)—underscoring comprehensive protection. Old Testament Usage Psalm 91:4 stands alone in employing סֹחֵרָה, yet the verse’s poetic context resounds throughout Scripture. The psalmist first evokes tender avian shelter: “He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge” (Psalm 91:4). Immediately the tone shifts to military architecture—“His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.” The movement from gentle wings to formidable masonry reveals the breadth of divine care: intimate and impregnable. Historical and Cultural Background Fortified cities of the ancient Near East relied on ramparts composed of packed earth faced with stone. Such bulwarks were often the last line of defense when outer walls failed. Citizens trusted these massive earthworks to absorb projectiles, blunt siege engines, and create a platform for defenders. By invoking סֹחֵרָה, the psalmist draws upon daily realities familiar to anyone who had ever taken refuge within Jerusalem’s thick embankments or heard accounts of besieged cities such as Lachish. Theological Significance 1. Covenant Reliability. The rampart is not human strength but “His faithfulness,” highlighting the covenant-keeping character of God (Deuteronomy 7:9). Canonical Connections • Psalm 62:6—“He is my fortress; I will not be shaken.” Christological Fulfillment Jesus embodies the protective faithfulness of Yahweh. Like the psalmist’s imagery, He longs to gather Jerusalem’s children “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37). At the cross the Savior becomes both sacrifice and stronghold; His resurrected life guarantees that “your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), an impregnable position paralleling the rampart of Psalm 91. Worship and Devotional Application Psalm 91 has been prayed for centuries by believers facing plague, war, or persecution. Meditating on סֹחֵרָה invites worshipers to visualize God’s faithfulness as towering earthworks encircling their hearts. Reciting Psalm 91:4 before sleep, military deployment, or missionary travel reinforces trust in the Lord rather than in human security systems. Pastoral and Ministry Insights • Counseling fear: Encourage memorization of Psalm 91:4, pointing to the unchanging character of God as the true rampart. Summary Though occurring only once, סֹחֵרָה carries rich theological weight. It anchors the believer’s confidence in the fortifying faithfulness of God—an unassailable bulwark that guards the covenant community in every generation. Forms and Transliterations וְֽסֹחֵרָ֣ה וסחרה vesocheRah wə·sō·ḥê·rāh wəsōḥêrāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 91:4 HEB: תֶּחְסֶ֑ה צִנָּ֖ה וְֽסֹחֵרָ֣ה אֲמִתּֽוֹ׃ NAS: is a shield and bulwark. KJV: [shall be thy] shield and buckler. INT: may seek shield and bulwark his faithfulness 1 Occurrence |
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