What does Psalm 140:7 mean?
What is the meaning of Psalm 140:7?

O GOD the Lord

- David addresses God with the double title “GOD” (Yahweh) and “Lord” (Adonai), stressing both covenant faithfulness and absolute rule.

- By calling on the personal name of the Creator (Exodus 3:14; Psalm 83:18), David reminds himself—and us—of a God who is both transcendent and intimately involved.

- The phrase shows reverence and confidence: the same LORD who “does whatever pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth” (Psalm 135:6) listens to the cry of one believer.


the strength of my salvation

- David confesses that rescue is not self-generated; God Himself is the muscle behind every deliverance (Psalm 18:2; Isaiah 12:2).

- “Strength” highlights power that never diminishes, even when human resources do.

- “Salvation” points beyond a single crisis to God’s ongoing work of redemption, echoing Jonah 2:9: “Salvation comes from the LORD.”

- For the believer today, this anchors assurance: the God who saved us from sin (Ephesians 2:8-9) still supplies strength for daily trials.


You have covered my head

- The verb “covered” paints a vivid picture of protective armor. God is not a distant commander; He personally “puts a shield around” His child (Psalm 3:3).

- David fought real battles, yet he credits divine protection for every spared blow. The image anticipates the “helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17), showing that spiritual and physical safety alike come from the Lord.

- Isaiah 59:17 portrays the LORD Himself wearing the helmet of salvation; here He places that same covering on His soldier.


in the day of battle

- The verse assumes conflict. Faith does not remove believers from warfare; it equips them for it (Psalm 27:3).

- “Day of battle” may be a literal skirmish or any season of intense opposition—illness, persecution, temptation. Whatever the fight, victory is “of the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31; 2 Chronicles 20:15).

- Because God’s protection is timely, we can face every battle—physical or spiritual—with courage, knowing He stands between us and the enemy (Romans 8:31).


summary

Psalm 140:7 affirms that the covenant-keeping LORD is the believer’s supreme authority, unfailing power, and perfect protector. David’s experience of God’s head-covering defense encourages every follower of Christ to trust the Lord’s literal promise of salvation and shielding, confident that no battle arrives without His strength already in place.

How does Psalm 140:6 align with the overall theme of divine protection in the Psalms?
Top of Page
Top of Page