8108. shomrah

Lexical Summary

shomrah: Guard, Watch, Protection

Original Word: שָׁמְרָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: shomrah
Pronunciation: sho-mer-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (shom-raw')
KJV: watch
NASB: guard
Word Origin: [feminine of an unused noun from H8104 (שָׁמַר - keep) meaning a guard]

1. watchfulness

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

watch

Feminine of an unused noun from shamar meaning a guard; watchfulness -- watch.

see HEBREW shamar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from shamar
Definition
a guard, watch
NASB Translation
guard (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

שָׁמְרָה noun feminine guard, watch; — ׳שׁ ׳שִׁיתָה י לְפִי Psalm 141:3 ("" נִצְּרָה עַלדַּֿל שְׂפָתָ֑י).

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Scope

שָׁמְרָה denotes a “guard” or “sentinel,” figuratively extending to any conscious act of vigilance. In Scripture it embodies the idea of deliberate, continuous protection placed over something valued.

Biblical Occurrence

Psalm 141:3 is the sole instance: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips”. David pleads for a divinely posted sentinel to prevent careless or sinful speech.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Enablement: The request acknowledges human inability to restrain the tongue apart from grace (compare James 3:8).
2. Heart–Mouth Connection: Speech reveals inner character; therefore the “guard” implies transformation at the heart level (Matthew 12:34).
3. Prayer as Preventive Sanctification: Rather than seeking forgiveness after failure, the psalm models praying for restraint beforehand (see Matthew 6:13).

Historical Background

In ancient cities sentries stood at gates to admit allies and repel enemies. David borrows that imagery, picturing lips as gates through which words enter the public arena. Mishandled words could spark blood feuds, diplomatic crises, or covenant violations; thus guarding speech was more than etiquette—it was communal preservation.

Related Biblical Motifs

• Guarding the Heart: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
• Guarding Doctrine: “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit” (2 Timothy 1:14).
• Watchmen on Walls: Prophets were stationed as moral sentinels over Israel (Ezekiel 3:17). The same concept underlies שָׁמְרָה.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Pastoral Counseling: Encourage believers to invite God’s active supervision over speech, especially in conflict resolution and social media engagement.
• Corporate Worship: Liturgical prayers can incorporate Psalm 141:3 to sanctify congregational dialogue before fellowship or the Lord’s Table.
• Discipleship Training: Memorizing verses on guarded speech (Proverbs 13:3; 21:23; Ephesians 4:29) equips saints to yield their tongues to the Spirit.

Christological and Ethical Reflections

Jesus exemplified guarded speech, responding to hostility with measured words or silence (John 19:9–11). His self-control fulfills the ideal David sought, providing both model and enabling righteousness for believers through union with Him (Galatians 2:20).

Key Takeaways for Discipleship

• Words possess covenantal weight; careless talk can break fellowship with God and neighbor.
• Prayer for preventive grace is a legitimate and necessary discipline.
• The sentinel imagery summons believers to an active, Spirit-dependent vigilance that honors Christ in every conversation.

Forms and Transliterations

שָׁמְרָ֣ה שמרה šā·mə·rāh šāmərāh shameRah

Englishman's Concordance

Psalm 141:3
HEB: שִׁיתָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה שָׁמְרָ֣ה לְפִ֑י נִ֝צְּרָ֗ה
NAS: Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;
KJV: Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth;
INT: Set LORD A guard my mouth Keep

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8108
1 Occurrence

šā·mə·rāh — 1 Occ.