Psalms 18:35

KJV

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast also given {H5414} me the shield {H4043} of thy salvation {H3468}: and thy right hand {H3225} hath holden me up {H5582}, and thy gentleness {H6037} hath made me great {H7235}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"You give me your shield, which is salvation, your right hand holds me up, your humility makes me great.

Berean Standard Bible

You have given me Your shield of salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your gentleness exalts me.

American Standard Version

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation; And thy right hand hath holden me up, And thy gentleness hath made me great.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 18:35 is a profound declaration by King David, articulating his deep conviction that his protection, sustenance, and ultimate exaltation stemmed entirely from God's character and active intervention. This verse, embedded within a grand song of thanksgiving for divine deliverance, highlights three distinct yet interconnected aspects of God's benevolent action: His salvation serving as an impenetrable shield, His mighty right hand providing unwavering support, and, most remarkably, His divine gentleness or condescension being the very force that elevated David to greatness. It encapsulates a theology of complete dependence on God's power and gracious humility, revealing the paradoxical truth that God's tender care, not just His raw might, is the source of true human flourishing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 18 is a monumental psalm of individual thanksgiving, paralleled almost identically in [2 Samuel 22](/2_samuel/22 "2 Samuel 22 - David's Song of Deliverance"). It opens with David's fervent declaration of love for the Lord, his strength and deliverer, and then transitions into a vivid, often anthropomorphic, description of God's dramatic intervention on his behalf. The psalm recounts God descending from heaven amidst cosmic upheaval, rescuing David from powerful enemies and deep distress. Verse 35 functions as a summary statement within a longer section (verses 30-45) where David attributes his military victories, stability, and royal authority directly to God's empowering and protective hand. It follows descriptions of God equipping David for battle and making his way perfect, leading into further declarations of God's faithfulness and the defeat of his foes, demonstrating God's comprehensive provision for His anointed king.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm is deeply rooted in the historical experiences of King David, particularly his numerous battles and periods of persecution, most notably from King Saul and various foreign adversaries. The imagery of a "shield" is drawn directly from ancient Near Eastern warfare, where a shield was a primary defensive weapon, symbolizing protection and security. The "right hand" was universally understood in the ancient world as the seat of strength, authority, and decisive action, whether in battle, judgment, or blessing. David's "greatness" refers to his establishment as king over Israel, his military successes, and the security of his reign—all seen not as human achievements but as divine endowments. The cultural understanding of kingship in Israel was that the king was God's anointed, and his success was a direct reflection of divine favor and intervention, making David's attribution of his greatness to God's "gentleness" particularly striking and counter-cultural in a world that valued overt displays of power.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 18:35 powerfully articulates several core theological themes prevalent throughout the Psalter and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Protection and Salvation**, portraying God as the ultimate and impenetrable defense, whose saving power encompasses both physical deliverance from enemies and spiritual well-being. This concept is foundational to Israel's understanding of Yahweh as their deliverer, as seen in the exodus narrative where God acts as a warrior for His people ([Exodus 15:3](/exodus/15-3 "Exodus 15:3 - The Lord is a Warrior")). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Unwavering Divine Support and Empowerment**, with "Thy right hand hath holden me up" signifying God's active, powerful, and sustaining presence in David's life. This resonates with the broader biblical truth that God's strength is made perfect in human weakness, and His hand is ever ready to uphold the righteous ([Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Upholding Hand")). Thirdly, and perhaps most uniquely, it introduces the profound theme of **God's Gentleness Leading to Human Greatness**. This challenges conventional notions of power and success, suggesting that David's exaltation was not solely due to God's raw might but to His gracious condescension and humble willingness to engage with and elevate His servant. This divine humility is a remarkable attribute of God, foreshadowing the ultimate self-emptying of Christ ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shield (Hebrew, _mâgên'_):** From H4043, this word refers to "a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector." In this context, it is used metaphorically to describe God as David's protector. The phrase "shield of thy salvation" (מָגֵן יְשׁוּעָה, _magen yeshu'ah'_) indicates that God's very act of saving or delivering is the protective barrier. It's not merely a shield that God provides, but God's salvation *is* the shield, implying comprehensive and intrinsic defense and security.
* **Right Hand (Hebrew, _yâmîyn'_):** From H3225, this term denotes "the right hand or side...as the stronger and more dexterous." Throughout biblical literature, the "right hand" symbolizes strength, power, authority, and decisive action. To be "holden up" by God's right hand signifies active, powerful, and unwavering support. It conveys the idea that David's stability and ability to stand firm against adversity were not due to his own strength but to God's direct, potent intervention and sustenance, preventing him from falling.
* **Gentleness (Hebrew, _ʻanvâh'_):** From H6037, this word means "mildness (royal); also (concretely) oppressed; gentleness, meekness." This is arguably the most striking and theologically rich word in the verse. While often translated as "gentleness," "meekness," or "humility," in this context, it carries the nuance of God's "condescension" or "graciousness." It refers to God's willingness to stoop down from His infinite majesty and power to interact with, care for, and elevate a humble human being like David. It's a divine attribute that highlights God's tender, compassionate, and humble approach to His creation, contrasting sharply with the overwhelming power also attributed to Him in the psalm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation":** This clause establishes God as the sole source of David's ultimate protection. The "shield of salvation" is a powerful metaphor, indicating that God's saving power and deliverance are themselves the impenetrable defense against all threats, both physical and spiritual. It implies a comprehensive security that originates from God's character and His active intervention in David's life, providing complete and intrinsic defense.
* **"and thy right hand hath holden me up":** Here, David acknowledges God's active and powerful sustenance. The imagery of God's "right hand" signifies His strength, authority, and decisive action. David's ability to endure trials, stand firm in battle, and maintain his position was not due to his own might but to God's constant, upholding power, preventing him from falling or being overwhelmed by his adversaries. This speaks to God's continuous, sustaining presence.
* **"and thy gentleness hath made me great":** This is a profound and perhaps paradoxical statement. David attributes his "greatness"—his success, exaltation, and prominence as king—not to God's raw power alone, but to His "gentleness" or "condescension" (_ʻanvâh_). It suggests that God, in His infinite majesty, humbled Himself to engage with and elevate David. True greatness, from a divine perspective, is not achieved through human striving or even merely through divine might, but through God's gracious, humble willingness to stoop down and lift up the lowly, transforming their status.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 18:35 is rich in **metaphor** and **imagery**, which serve to vividly convey David's theological understanding of God. The phrase "shield of thy salvation" is a powerful **metaphor**, equating God's saving power directly with a protective weapon, emphasizing its defensive efficacy and the comprehensive nature of divine deliverance. The "right hand" is a classic biblical **anthropomorphism** and **synecdoche**, representing God's entire being and power through a specific, active limb. This imagery universally conveys strength, authority, and decisive action. Most profoundly, the statement "thy gentleness hath made me great" presents a striking **paradox** or **divine condescension**. It challenges conventional notions of power and success, suggesting that God's true greatness is demonstrated not only in His might but also in His humble, gracious willingness to interact with and elevate His human servants. This concept introduces a profound theological insight into God's character, highlighting His tender and compassionate nature alongside His omnipotence, revealing that His humility is a source of His power to elevate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 18:35 offers a profound theological statement about the nature of God and the source of human flourishing. It reveals a God who is not only omnipotent and sovereign, capable of delivering His servant from all enemies, but also intimately involved and graciously condescending. David's greatness is not a testament to his own merit or strength, but to God's active, upholding hand and, remarkably, His gentle humility. This challenges any human-centric view of success, firmly rooting all true elevation and security in God's character. It teaches that divine power is often expressed not in overwhelming force, but in tender care and a willingness to stoop down and lift up the humble, transforming their weakness into strength and their lowliness into greatness. This verse beautifully illustrates the divine paradox where God's humble engagement leads to human exaltation.

* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Upholding Hand")
* [Ephesians 6:16](/ephesians/6-16 "Ephesians 6:16 - The Shield of Faith")
* [James 4:10](/james/4-10 "James 4:10 - Humility and Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 18:35 provides a timeless blueprint for the believer's walk, inviting us into a deeper trust and understanding of God's multifaceted character. In a world that often measures greatness by power, wealth, or self-assertion, David's testimony redirects our gaze to the divine source of true significance. We are reminded that our ultimate security is not found in our own defenses or strategies, but in the "shield of God's salvation," which is comprehensive and impenetrable. When faced with overwhelming challenges or personal weakness, the image of God's "right hand" upholding us offers profound comfort, assuring us that His strength is always available to sustain and empower. Perhaps most counter-intuitively, the verse teaches us that any true "greatness" or elevation in our lives—whether in influence, character, or spiritual maturity—is not a product of our striving but a gracious gift born from God's "gentleness" or condescension. This calls us to cultivate humility, recognizing that God lifts up those who humble themselves, working through our weaknesses to display His glory. It encourages a posture of dependence, gratitude, and a willingness to allow God to work in His own gentle, yet powerful, way, transforming our lives from the inside out.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most need God's "shield of salvation" today, and how does this verse encourage you to rely on it?**
* **How does the concept of God's "right hand" upholding you change your perspective on personal weakness or overwhelming circumstances, particularly when you feel unsupported?**
* **What does it truly mean for God's "gentleness" to make you great, and how might this challenge your current understanding of success or significance in your personal and spiritual life?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper sense of dependence on God's character, rather than your own efforts, for security and flourishing, embracing His gentle leading?**

### FAQ

**What does "shield of thy salvation" mean?**

Answer: The phrase "shield of thy salvation" means that God's act of salvation or deliverance is itself the ultimate and impenetrable protective barrier. It's not merely that God provides a shield, but that His saving power *is* the defense. This implies a comprehensive and intrinsic security that covers every aspect of a believer's life, stemming directly from God's character and His active intervention to rescue and preserve. It speaks to the totality of God's care, where His very nature as Savior becomes the believer's ultimate protection against all spiritual and physical threats, ensuring complete safety and deliverance.

**How does God's "gentleness" make one "great"?**

Answer: This is a profound theological insight. The Hebrew word for "gentleness" (_ʻanvâh_) can also mean humility or condescension. It suggests that David's "greatness" (his exaltation, success, and establishment as king) was not achieved through God's raw, overwhelming power alone, but through God's gracious willingness to "stoop down" from His infinite majesty and engage intimately with a humble human being. It implies that God, in His greatness, humbles Himself to lift up the lowly. This divine condescension is a powerful attribute, demonstrating that true power and greatness are often expressed in tender care, humility, and a willingness to elevate others, rather than in dominance or self-assertion. It challenges worldly notions of power and success, pointing to God's humble grace as the source of true exaltation and flourishing, making the recipient great not by their own might, but by divine favor.

**Is this Psalm only about David, or does it have broader application?**

Answer: While Psalm 18 is deeply rooted in King David's specific historical experiences of deliverance and exaltation, its theological principles and expressions of trust in God have universal application for all believers. David's experience serves as an archetype for how God interacts with His people. The themes of divine protection, unwavering support, and God's gracious condescension leading to human flourishing are timeless truths that apply to anyone who places their faith in the Lord. Believers today can find comfort, guidance, and a model for expressing gratitude and dependence on God through the truths articulated in this psalm, recognizing that God's character and methods of operation remain consistent through the ages. It provides a template for understanding God's faithfulness and our reliance on Him in all circumstances, echoing the promises found throughout [the Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs of Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 18:35 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "shield of thy salvation" points directly to Christ, who is our ultimate salvation and impenetrable defense. Through His atoning work on the cross and His resurrection, Jesus became the [source of eternal salvation](/hebrews/5-9 "Hebrews 5:9 - Christ, Author of Eternal Salvation") for all who believe, providing a spiritual shield against sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). Furthermore, the imagery of God's "right hand" upholding David powerfully foreshadows Christ's own exaltation to the [right hand of God](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Christ Exalted to God's Right Hand"), where He reigns in power and intercedes for His people ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). It is from this position of ultimate authority that Christ, through the Holy Spirit, continues to uphold and sustain believers, empowering them in their weaknesses and enabling them to stand firm in faith ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - Strength Through Christ")). Most strikingly, the concept of God's "gentleness" making David great is supremely embodied in Christ. Jesus, though God, did not cling to His divine prerogatives but [emptied Himself](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation"), taking the form of a servant and humbling Himself even to death on a cross. It was precisely this divine condescension and humility that led to His supreme exaltation ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - God Exalts Christ")). Thus, Christ Himself is the ultimate demonstration of how God's gentleness and humility elevate, not just David, but all who are united with Him, making them truly "great" in the kingdom of God by His grace, transforming them into His likeness ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed into Christ's Image")).

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.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 22:36

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James 3:18

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Psalms 28:7

The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

2 Corinthians 10:1

¶ Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence [am] base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Galatians 5:23

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.