TRV
Translation
King James Version
O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
Complete Jewish Bible
ADONAI, Adonai, my saving strength, my helmet shielding my head in battle,
Berean Standard Bible
O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.
American Standard Version
O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
World English Bible Messianic
LORD, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
Geneva Bible (1599)
O Lord God the strength of my saluation, thou hast couered mine head in the day of battel.
Young's Literal Translation
O Jehovah, my Lord, strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of armour.
In the KJVVerse 16,271 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 140 verses 1–7
1 ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;
2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.
6 I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
In this, as in other things, David was a type of Christ, that he suffered before he reigned, was humbled before he was exalted, and that as there were many who loved and valued him, and sought to do him honour, so there were many who hated and envied him, and sought to do him mischief, as appears by these verses, where,
I. He gives a character of his enemies, and paints them out in their own colours, as dangerous men, whom he had reason to be afraid of, but wicked men, whom he had no reason to think the righteous God would countenance. There was one that seems to have been the ring-leader of them, whom he calls the evil man and the man of violences (Psa 140:1, Psa 140:4), probably he means Saul. The Chaldee paraphrast (Psa 140:9) names both Doeg and Ahithophel; but between them there was a great distance of time. Violent men are evil men. But there were many besides this one who were confederate against David, who are here represented as the genuine offspring and seed of the serpent. For, 1. They are very subtle, crafty to do mischief; they have imagined it (Psa 140:2), have laid the scheme with all the art and cunning imaginable. They have purposed and plotted to overthrow the goings of a good man (Psa 140:4), to draw him into sin and trouble, to ruin him by blasting his reputation, crushing his interest, and taking away his life. For this purpose they have, like mighty hunters, hidden a snare, and spread a net, and set gins (Psa 140:5), that their designs against him, being kept undiscovered, might be the more likely to take effect, and he might fall into their hands ere he was aware. Great persecutors have often been great politicians, which has indeed made them the more formidable; but the Lord preserves the simple without all those arts. 2. They are very spiteful, as full of malice as Satan himself: They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent, that infuses his venom with his tongue; and there is so much malignity in all they say that one would think there was nothing under their lips but adders' poison, Psa 140:3. With their calumnies, and with their counsels, they aimed to destroy David, but secretly, as a man is stung with a serpent, or a snake in the grass. And they endeavoured likewise to infuse their malice into others, and to make them seven times more the children of hell than themselves. A malignant tongue makes men like the old serpent; and poison in the lips is a certain sign of poison in the heart. 3. They are confederate; they are many of them; but they are all gathered together against me for war, Psa 140:2. Those who can agree in nothing else can agree to persecute a good man. Herod and Pilate will unite in this, and in this they resemble Satan, who is not divided against himself, all the devils agreeing in Beelzebub. 4. They are proud (Psa 140:5), conceited of themselves and confident of their success; and herein also they resemble Satan, whose reigning ruining sin was pride. The pride of persecutors, though at present it be the terror, yet may be the encouragement, of the persecuted, for the more haughty they are the faster are they ripening for ruin. Pride goes before destruction.
II. He prays to God to keep him from them and from being swallowed up by them: "Lord, deliver me, preserve me, keep me (Psa 140:1, Psa 140:4); let them not prevail to take away my life, my reputation, my interest, my comfort, and to prevent my coming to the throne. Keep me from doing as they do, or as they would have me do, or as they promise themselves I shall do." Note, The more malice appears in our enemies against us the more earnest we should be in prayer to God to take us under his protection. In him believers may count upon a security, and may enjoy it and themselves with a holy serenity. Those are safe whom God preserves. If he be for us, who can be against us?
III. He triumphs in God, and thereby, in effect, he triumphs over his persecutors, Psa 140:6, Psa 140:7. When his enemies sharpened their tongues against him, did he sharpen his against them? No; adders' poison was under their lips, but grace was poured into his lips, witness what he here said unto the Lord, for to him he looked, to him he directed himself, when he saw himself in so much danger, through the malice of his enemies: and it is well for us that we have a God to go to. He comforted himself, 1. In his interest in God: "I said, Thou art my God; and, if my God, then my shield and mighty protector." In troublous dangerous times it is good to claim relation to God, and by faith to keep hold of him. 2. In his access to God. This comforted him, that he was not only taken into covenant with God, but into communion with him, that he had leave to speak to him, and might expect an answer of peace from him, and could say, with a humble confidence, Hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord! 3. In the assurance he had of help from God and happiness in him: "O God the Lord - Jehovah Adonai! as Jehovah thou art self-existent and self-sufficient, an infinitely perfect being; as Adonai thou art my stay and support, my ruler and governor, and therefore the strength of my salvation, my strong Saviour; nay, not only my Saviour, but my salvation itself, from whom, in whom, my salvation is; not only a strong Saviour, but the very strength of my salvation, on whom the stress of my hope is laid; all in all, to make me happy, and to preserve me to my happiness." 4. In the experience he had had formerly of God's care of him: Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. As he pleaded with Saul, that, for the service of his country, he many a time jeoparded his life in the high places of the field, so he pleads with God that, in those services, he had wonderfully protected him, and provided him a better helmet for the securing of his head than Goliath's was: "Lord, thou hast kept me in the day of battle with the Philistines, suffer me not to fall by the treacherous intrigues of false-hearted Israelites." God is as able to preserve his people from secret fraud as from open force; and the experience we have had of his power and care, in dangers of one kind, may encourage us to trust in him and depend upon him in dangers of another nature; for nothing can shorten the Lord's right hand.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 140
Commending this to the ears of God, let him say, "Lord, Lord." Thou Lord-Lord, that is, most truly Lord, not like the lords-men, not like the lords who buy with money-bags, but the Lord who buys with His Blood. "Lord, Lord, Thou strength of my health" [Psalm 140:7], that is, who givest strength to my health. What is the meaning of "strength of my health"? He complained of the stumbling-blocks and snares of sinners, of wicked men, vessels of the devil, that barked around him and laid snares around him, of the proud that envy the righteous. But He immediately added a comfort, "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." This he observed and feared, and, distressed at the abundance of iniquities, turned himself to hope. Verily I shall be saved, if I endure unto the end: but endurance, so as to win salvation, pertains unto strength; You are "the strength of my salvation;" You make me to endure, that I may attain salvation....Toiling then in this warfare, he looked back to the grace of God; and because already he had begun to be heated and parched, he found, as it were, a shade, whereunder to live. "You have overshadowed my head in the day of battle:" that is, in the heat, lest I be heated, lest I be parched.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 140:7 is a powerful declaration of unwavering trust and confident reliance on God amidst intense conflict. The psalmist, David, proclaims God as the ultimate source of his deliverance and the impenetrable shield that has protected him in moments of grave danger. This verse serves as a profound affirmation of divine sovereignty and active intervention, highlighting God's faithfulness as the supreme protector in the face of all adversity and a testament to His ever-present strength.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The psalmist employs several potent literary devices to convey his profound trust in God. Metaphor is central, particularly in "strength of my salvation," where God is not just strong for salvation, but is its very essence and power, the dynamic force that brings deliverance. The phrase "covered my head" functions as a vivid metaphorical image of a helmet or shield provided by God, evoking the tangible reality of ancient warfare and making God's protection concrete and immediate. While it could be seen as a form of synecdoche (part for the whole, the head representing the entire person), its primary force is the vivid imagery of divine defense. The direct address "O GOD the Lord" is an apostrophe, a direct and fervent appeal to God, emphasizing the personal and intimate nature of the psalmist's relationship with his divine protector. The psalm's structure, moving from lament to confident declaration, showcases contrast between human vulnerability and divine power, underscoring the transformative nature of faith and the psalmist's shift from pleading to praising.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 140:7 stands as a powerful declaration of God's active and personal involvement in the lives of His people, especially amidst trials. It underscores the biblical truth that true security and deliverance are found not in human strength, military prowess, or cunning strategies, but solely in the sovereign power and protective hand of the Almighty. This verse encapsulates a foundational theological principle: God is not a distant deity, but an ever-present refuge who actively shields His beloved from the onslaughts of evil, whether physical or spiritual. It speaks to His unwavering faithfulness and His character as the ultimate deliverer, reinforcing the idea that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and that He is truly a fortress for those who trust in Him.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In the face of life's inevitable "battles"—whether they manifest as spiritual warfare, emotional turmoil, physical illness, relational conflict, or societal pressures—Psalms 140:7 offers profound comfort and a clear directive for the believer. It calls us to shift our gaze from the magnitude of our problems to the immensity of God's power. To declare, "O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle," is to actively remember and affirm God's past faithfulness and to confidently anticipate His future protection. This verse encourages us to cultivate a radical dependence on God, acknowledging that our true security lies not in our own abilities or resources, but in His unfailing might and providential care. It invites us to pray with a deep-seated assurance, knowing that the One who covers our head is infinitely capable and eternally faithful, providing a peace that transcends all understanding even in the midst of chaos.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is "O GOD the Lord" a common way to address God in the Psalms?
Answer: Yes, the phrase "O GOD the Lord" (Hebrew: Adonai YHWH or YHWH Adonai) is a significant and recurring form of address in the Psalms and other Old Testament books. The combination of YHWH (God's covenant name, often translated "LORD" in all caps in KJV) and Adonai (meaning "Lord" or "Master") emphasizes both God's personal, covenantal relationship with His people and His supreme, sovereign authority over all creation. This dual address highlights His faithfulness as the God who keeps His promises, and His absolute power as the Master of the universe. It's a profound declaration of both intimacy and reverence, acknowledging His unparalleled position as the one true God who is both near and utterly transcendent. This form of address is particularly poignant in psalms of lament or petition, as it grounds the plea in God's character as both capable and caring, such as in Psalm 71:5, where the psalmist declares, "For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth."
What does "covered my head in the day of battle" mean practically for believers today?
Answer: While the original context of "covered my head in the day of battle" refers to literal physical protection in warfare, its practical meaning for believers today extends to all forms of spiritual, emotional, and circumstantial conflict. It signifies God's comprehensive and personal protection from harm, whether from spiritual attacks (as described in Ephesians 6:12), the schemes of human adversaries, the anxieties of life, or moments of deep distress. This imagery assures us that God acts as our ultimate shield and defense, safeguarding our minds, our peace, and our very being from the "blows" of life. It encourages us to trust that in every challenge, God is actively present, providing strength, wisdom, and deliverance, just as He promises to be our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. It means we can face adversity with courage, knowing that our ultimate security rests in His capable and loving hands, and that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 140:7, with its declaration of God as "the strength of my salvation" and the One who "covered my head in the day of battle," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's saving strength, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and provides deliverance not just from earthly foes but from sin and death itself (John 1:29). Just as the psalmist looked to God for protection in physical battle, believers now look to Christ, who has triumphed over the spiritual forces of evil on the cross, disarming principalities and powers and making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). He is our true "helmet of salvation" (Ephesians 6:17), protecting our minds and thoughts from the enemy's assaults and securing our hope in His finished work. In Him, we are more than conquerors, for He has already fought and won the decisive battle against sin, death, and the devil (Romans 8:37). Therefore, when we face the "day of battle" in our lives, we do so with the assurance that Christ, our resurrected Lord, has already covered us with His victorious righteousness and promises His abiding presence and ultimate deliverance, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). He is our impenetrable shield and our eternal salvation.