Psalms 140:7

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

O GOD {H3069} the Lord {H136}, the strength {H5797} of my salvation {H3444}, thou hast covered {H5526} my head {H7218} in the day {H3117} of battle {H5402}.

ADONAI, Adonai, my saving strength, my helmet shielding my head in battle,

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.

O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

Commentary

Psalms 140:7 (KJV) presents a powerful declaration of trust and dependence on God amidst danger. David, the psalmist, acknowledges God as his ultimate protector and the source of his deliverance in times of intense conflict.

Context

Psalm 140 is a fervent prayer of David, pleading for deliverance from malicious and violent enemies who plot evil and spread deceit. He describes his adversaries as cunning and venomous, likening them to serpents (Psalm 140:3). In this verse, David shifts from describing his plight to expressing profound faith, recalling God's past faithfulness and anticipating His future protection. It's a testament to prayer and unwavering trust in the face of grave threats, typical of David's psalms which often oscillate between desperate cries for help and confident affirmations of God's power.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection: The central theme is God's active role as a shield and guardian. "Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle" vividly portrays God's personal and comprehensive defense against all harm, whether physical or spiritual. This image speaks to the security found only in Him.
  • God as the Source of Salvation: David identifies God as "the strength of my salvation," emphasizing that deliverance and victory do not come from human might or strategy, but solely from divine power. This highlights a complete reliance on God's saving grace and intervention.
  • Trust in Adversity: Despite the immediate threats, David's address to God is one of confident affirmation. He doesn't just ask for protection; he declares that God has already covered his head, reflecting a deep-seated faith in God's ever-present help, even before the battle is fully won. It echoes the sentiment of "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "O GOD the Lord" translates from the Hebrew Yahweh Adonai or Adonai Yahweh, combining the covenant name of God (Yahweh, often rendered LORD in KJV) with the title of master or sovereign ruler (Adonai). This dual address emphasizes both God's personal relationship with His people and His supreme authority over all creation.
  • "Covered my head" evokes the imagery of an ancient warrior's helmet or shield protecting the most vital part of the body. It signifies complete and effective safeguarding from the blows of the enemy. This imagery is powerfully echoed in the New Testament's concept of "the helmet of salvation" as part of the spiritual armor.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 140:7 serves as a powerful reminder that God is our ultimate protector in all of life's "battles." Whether facing spiritual attacks, emotional distress, financial hardship, or physical dangers, we can declare with confidence that the Lord is the strength of our salvation. This verse encourages us to:

  • Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: Recognize that all true help and deliverance come from Him.
  • Cultivate Trust: Even when surrounded by difficulties, maintain faith that God is actively watching over and defending us.
  • Pray with Confidence: Approach God knowing He has the power and willingness to cover us in times of trouble, just as David did. This confidence allows us to face challenges with courage, knowing that the Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 62:7

    In God [is] my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, [and] my refuge, [is] in God.

  • Psalms 89:26

    He shall cry unto me, Thou [art] my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

  • Psalms 18:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day [that] the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

  • Psalms 18:2

    The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.

  • Psalms 62:2

    He only [is] my rock and my salvation; [he is] my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

  • Deuteronomy 33:27

    The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them].

  • Deuteronomy 33:29

    Happy [art] thou, O Israel: who [is] like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who [is] the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.