Psalms 115:11

KJV

Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he [is] their help and their shield.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye that fear {H3373} the LORD {H3068}, trust {H982} in the LORD {H3068}: he is their help {H5828} and their shield {H4043}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You who fear ADONAI, trust in ADONAI! He is their help and shield.

Berean Standard Bible

You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.

American Standard Version

Ye that fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 115:11 is a profound exhortation to all who revere the living God, urging them to place their unwavering confidence and reliance upon Him. This verse serves as both a comforting assurance and a direct command, powerfully contrasting the futility of trusting in human constructs or lifeless idols with the absolute sufficiency of the Lord, who stands as the unfailing source of divine assistance and impenetrable protection for His faithful people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 115 belongs to the collection known as the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), traditionally recited during significant Jewish festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The psalm opens with a fervent declaration of God's incomparable glory and sovereignty, contrasting Him sharply with the impotent idols fashioned by human hands (verses 1-8). These idols are depicted as having mouths but not speaking, eyes but not seeing, and hands but not feeling—utterly useless and dependent on their makers. Following this polemic against idolatry, the psalm issues a threefold call to trust in the Lord: first to Israel (verse 9), then to the house of Aaron (verse 10), and finally, in verse 11, to "Ye that fear the LORD." This broadening of the appeal indicates an inclusive invitation to all who genuinely reverence God, extending beyond ethnic or priestly lines to encompass all who acknowledge His supremacy. The psalm then concludes with blessings upon those who trust in the Lord and a final call to praise Him (verses 12-18).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely after the Babylonian exile, Psalm 115 reflects a post-exilic community grappling with the temptation of idolatry amidst surrounding polytheistic cultures. The returnees to Judah would have encountered various pagan practices and deities, making the clear distinction between the living God of Israel and dead idols critically important. The psalm's emphasis on God's active involvement ("He is their help and their shield") would have been particularly resonant for a people rebuilding their nation and temple, facing external threats and internal struggles. The cultural landscape was one where gods were often associated with specific territories or functions, and the psalmist emphatically declares Yahweh's universal power and unique ability to act on behalf of His people, in stark contrast to the localized and powerless deities of the nations.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes of Psalm 115, to which verse 11 significantly contributes, revolve around the **Sovereignty and Uniqueness of God**. The psalm repeatedly asserts that "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory" [Psalm 115:1](/psalms/115-1 "Psalm 115:1 - God's Glory, Not Ours"), directly challenging any notion that human effort or idol worship could bring true deliverance. This leads to the theme of **Futility of Idolatry**, vividly portrayed by the lifelessness of idols in contrast to the living God (e.g., [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Impotence of Idols")). Consequently, the psalm champions **Trust in the Lord**, presenting it as the only rational and effective response to God's character and power. This trust is not passive but an active reliance that stems from a profound **Fear of the Lord**, which is understood not as terror but as reverential awe and submission to His divine will, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom"). Finally, the psalm highlights God's **Faithfulness and Provision**, portraying Him as the ultimate "help" and "shield" for those who place their confidence in Him, echoing similar declarations of divine protection found throughout the Psalter, such as in [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - God as My Rock and Fortress").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yare'_):** This term, used in "Ye that fear the LORD," denotes far more than mere fright. It encapsulates a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's holiness, power, and justice. It is an active, worshipful submission that acknowledges God's supreme authority and worthiness of honor. This "fear" is the foundation of true wisdom and obedience, leading naturally to trust and obedience rather than terror.
* **Trust (Hebrew, _bataḥ_):** The imperative "trust in the LORD" signifies a confident reliance, a casting of one's full weight upon God. It implies security, confidence, and refuge. This trust is not a blind leap but a reasoned response to God's revealed character and faithfulness, especially in contrast to the demonstrable impotence of idols. It is an active posture of dependence and hope.
* **Help (Hebrew, _‘ezer_) and Shield (Hebrew, _magen_):** These two words collectively describe God's active and defensive involvement in the lives of His people. _‘Ezer_ denotes divine assistance, succor, and aid, emphasizing God's active intervention to supply needs and strengthen in weakness. _Magen_ (shield) is a vivid military metaphor for divine protection and defense against all forms of harm, both physical and spiritual. Together, they assure believers that God is their comprehensive provider and ultimate safeguard, actively engaged in their welfare.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye that fear the LORD":** This opening address broadens the scope of the preceding exhortations (to Israel and the house of Aaron) to include all individuals, regardless of their specific lineage or role, who hold a genuine and profound reverence for Yahweh. It identifies the target audience as those whose inner disposition is characterized by awe, respect, and submission to God's sovereignty, recognizing Him as the one true and living God.
* **"trust in the LORD":** This is the direct command and central exhortation of the verse. It calls those who fear God to translate that reverence into active, confident reliance upon Him. This trust is presented as the logical and necessary outcome of truly fearing the Lord, implying a complete surrender of self-reliance and a confident dependence on God's character, promises, and provision. It is a call to abandon trust in anything else and to anchor one's hope solely in God.
* **"he [is] their help and their shield":** This declarative statement provides the powerful rationale and assurance for the command to trust. It identifies God as the unfailing source of two vital provisions: "help" (divine assistance, succor, active intervention in times of need) and "shield" (divine protection, defense against harm, a safeguard from adversaries). The use of the present tense "is" emphasizes God's consistent and enduring nature as both provider and protector, solidifying the foundation for unwavering trust.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 115:11 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the two clauses "trust in the LORD" and "he is their help and their shield" reinforce each other. The command to trust is immediately followed by the reason for that trust—God's unwavering nature as protector and provider. The verse also utilizes **Metaphor**, portraying God as a "shield," a vivid image of defensive protection that resonates with ancient warfare and speaks to God's ability to guard His people from all harm. The overall tone is one of **Exhortation** and **Assurance**, blending a direct command with a comforting promise. Furthermore, the verse stands in stark **Contrast** to the earlier descriptions of lifeless idols, highlighting the dynamic, active, and beneficial nature of the living God versus the inert and useless nature of false gods.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 115:11 encapsulates a foundational truth of biblical theology: the inseparable link between reverent awe for God and confident reliance upon Him. The "fear of the Lord" is not a cowering dread but a profound recognition of His infinite holiness, power, and wisdom, which naturally leads to the understanding that He alone is worthy of absolute trust. This trust, in turn, unlocks the experience of God's active intervention and protection. The verse affirms God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that He is not a distant deity but an intimately involved Helper and Defender for those who honor Him. It underscores the biblical theme that true security is found not in human strength, political alliances, or material wealth, but solely in the character and power of the Creator of heaven and earth.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Psalm 33:20](/psalms/33-20 "Psalm 33:20 - Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.")
* [Hebrews 13:6](/hebrews/13-6 "Hebrews 13:6 - The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world constantly shifting and offering myriad false securities, Psalm 115:11 serves as an enduring anchor for the soul. It calls us to examine the object of our trust: are we placing our confidence in fleeting resources, human wisdom, or our own limited abilities, or are we truly relying on the unchanging, all-powerful God? Cultivating the "fear of the Lord" means acknowledging His sovereignty in every sphere of life, recognizing that He is infinitely greater and more capable than any challenge we face. This reverential awe should naturally lead to a confident, active trust, a deliberate choice to lean into His promises rather than succumbing to anxiety or self-reliance. When we truly trust Him, we experience the profound reality that He is indeed our ever-present "help" in times of need and our impregnable "shield" against all forms of spiritual, emotional, and physical harm. This verse invites us to live from a place of secure dependence, knowing that our God is actively working on our behalf.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "fearing the LORD" practically look like in my daily life, beyond mere intellectual assent?**
* **In what specific areas of my life am I tempted to trust in something other than the LORD, and how can I intentionally shift my reliance to Him?**
* **How has God demonstrated Himself as my "help" or "shield" in past experiences, and how can remembering these strengthen my trust today?**
* **What anxieties or fears am I currently holding onto that I need to surrender to God, trusting Him as my ultimate protector?**

### FAQ
**What is the difference between "fear of the Lord" and being afraid of God?**

Answer: The "fear of the Lord" in biblical terms, as used in [Psalms 115:11](/psalms/115-11 "Psalm 115:11 - Fear and Trust in the Lord"), is fundamentally different from being terrified of God. It is not a cowering, paralyzing dread, but rather a profound, reverential awe, respect, and worshipful submission to God's infinite holiness, power, and majesty. It acknowledges His absolute sovereignty and our dependence upon Him. This fear leads to obedience and trust, recognizing that God is utterly good, just, and worthy of all honor. In contrast, being "afraid" of God often implies a fear of punishment or a lack of understanding of His loving and merciful character, which can lead to avoidance rather than drawing near. The "fear of the Lord" is the beginning of wisdom, as [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom") states, leading to a healthy, intimate relationship with Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 115:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of one who truly "feared the LORD," living a life of absolute obedience and humble submission to the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience"). Furthermore, Jesus perfectly demonstrated what it means to "trust in the LORD," relying entirely on God's provision and protection throughout His earthly ministry, even in the face of intense suffering and temptation [Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Obedience"). For believers, Christ is not only the example but also the very means by which God becomes our "help and our shield." Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus has delivered us from the dominion of sin and death, becoming our ultimate Helper and Advocate before the Father [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Intercession"). He is our impenetrable Shield against the spiritual forces of evil and the accusations of the enemy [Ephesians 6:16](/ephesians/6-16 "Ephesians 6:16 - The Shield of Faith"). In Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of reverent trust, knowing that He has secured for us every spiritual blessing and provides unfailing protection, fulfilling the promise of [John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Jesus Gives Eternal Life and Security") that no one can snatch us out of His hand.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.