Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. This is a startling conjunction of emblems. A "sun": the centre of a system of worlds — the very synonym .for splendour — so glorious, that it has been worshipped by multitudes as Divine. A "shield": an implement in human war, at first simple and rude, made of twigs, or skins, or metal — a piece of merely human handicraft. What could the sons of Korah have meant when they sang that God was sun and shield? God is sun and shield — I. IN HIS DISTANCE AND IN HIS NEARNESS. The fiery globe ninety-one millions of miles distant, and the shield worn on man's left arm in battle, close to his very heart, are both emblems of Him of whom men often cry, "Oh that I knew where I might find Him!" and to bring whom near men sometimes use their telescope of logic; but who is moreover so near, that in Him we live, and move, and have our being. II. IN HIS GREATNESS AND IN HIS GENTLENESS. The sun so great, that if all the planets were fused into one, six hundred would not give the bulk of the sun; — and that shield that shelters the bleeding brow or wounded limb, are both alike true figures of God. III. IN HIS HOLINESS AND IN HIS BENEVOLENCE. God is light, dazzling, unapproachable. God is love, etc. In Him mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. The God I sometimes dread is the God to whom to cling. (U. R. Thomas.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. |
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