The Shield of Your Salvation Psalm 18:35 Devotional

In this Psalm 18:35 Devotional, we’ll discover the meaning of this verse and why we can have complete confidence in God’s provision. This powerful scripture is a reminder of how God equips us for the battles we face in life, offering His shield of salvation and lifting us up in times of need. As we reflect on these words, we’ll explore how the imagery of God’s protection can inspire us to rely on His strength and gentleness.

Discovering the Power of God’s Shield

Psalm 18:35 is part of a larger song of thanksgiving written by David, reflecting on his life and how God continually delivered him from his enemies, including the infamous King Saul when he relentlessly pursued David in the wilderness. In this verse, David declares…

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.

Psalm 18:35 NKJV

This scripture is one of many that compares God’s provision to battle armor, speaking of how He shields us from harm and holds us up when we’re feeling down and defeated. The image of a shield, especially when combined with God’s mighty right hand, is a powerful metaphor for the protection, love, and strength God provides His children.

In this fast-paced world we live in, it can easily feel like we are fighting a battle every day. But just as David trusted in God’s provision during the hard times, we can also take comfort in knowing that God is always working on our behalf. Let’s dive deeper into the meaning of this verse and how it applies to our lives today.

What is the Meaning of Psalm 18:35?

The “shield of thy salvation” in Psalm 18:35 represents God’s ultimate protection. In the middle of challenges and dangers, God provides His shield, His saving grace, to keep us safe. It’s not just a defensive weapon but also a symbol of God’s deliverance. When David speaks of this shield, he’s acknowledging that it’s not his own strength or cunning that has brought him through the many trying times of his life, but rather, the salvation and protection of the Living God.

In the following verses of Psalm 18, David continues to reflect on God’s goodness, pointing out that the shield of salvation isn’t something we can earn, it’s a free gift from God. This shield is available to anyone who trusts in Him, reminding us that we don’t have to rely on our own power to get through tough times. We can lean on the faithfulness of God.

The phrase “thy right hand hath holden me up” reinforces this message of support and protection. In the Bible, God’s right hand symbolizes His authority, power, and righteousness. When David says God’s right hand holds him up, he’s expressing the truth that God’s strength is what sustains him. No matter what strong enemy we face, whether it’s fear, doubt, or opposition, we can trust in God’s righteous right hand to support us.

Finally, “thy gentleness hath made me great” is a beautiful reflection of God’s nature. It reminds us that God, in His mighty power, also exhibits gentleness and patience, leading us with love rather than force. The gentleness of God allows us to grow in our spiritual journey, becoming more like Him and our Savior, Jesus Christ. The principle of grace is at work here, as God’s loving-kindness molds and shapes us into His image.

The Salvation of God

The salvation of God is a recurring theme throughout the Holy Bible, and it’s the ultimate gift we receive through faith in Christ Jesus. In Psalm 18:35, David reflects on this salvation, saying, “thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation”, acknowledging that this great gift doesn’t come by his own hand or strength, but through God’s provision. This shield is a clear symbol of God’s grace, protection, and steadfast love.

David experienced many dangers in his life, an epic battle with the giant Goliath, hiding from King Saul and his army of men who sought to harm him, and other difficult circumstances. Yet, in every trial, the salvation of God was his defense. It was the mighty power of God, the shield of His salvation, that delivered David from his enemies and set his feet in a wide place of safety and peace. This salvation wasn’t just a one-time event, it was a continuous deliverance, just as we experience the ongoing provision and protection of God in our own lives.

As David declares earlier in this psalm, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2). This verse captures the heart of David’s trust in God as his ultimate Protector and Deliverer.

For us, the shield of salvation is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. As the “horn of my salvation”, Jesus is our Protector and Deliverer, and through Him, we have access to the shield of salvation. In times of trouble, it’s God’s shield that surrounds and protects us.

The salvation of God is a gift we receive through faith, not by our own merits. As we grow in our spiritual walk, we experience the goodness of God and the true grace of God in our lives. God’s Word reminds us that He is our high tower, our safe place, and the source of all good things. He provides fresh supplies of grace each day, equipping us to face the battles ahead with boldness. And His steadfast love is our refuge, where we can rest in the assurance that no matter how hard it gets, our Protector and Defender will see us through.

Your Right Hand Has Held Me Up

In Psalm 18:35, David declares, “your right hand has held me up,” emphasizing the powerful role of God’s right hand in his life. Throughout scripture, the right hand of God is a symbol of His authority, power, and unwavering support. For David, it was the hand of God that upheld him during some of the most difficult times of his life, whether he was fleeing from the hand of Saul, his son Absalom, or facing the floods of ungodly men who sought to destroy him.

This image of God’s right hand is a comforting reminder for all of us. No matter what strong enemy we come up against or what hard circumstances arise, we can trust that God’s right hand will sustain us. In times of trouble, when we feel completely overwhelmed, His hand provides the strength we need to keep going. It’s not by our own hand or effort that we prevail in the battle, but by the mighty power of God working on our behalf.

God’s right hand doesn’t just shield us from danger, it lifts us up and gives us victory. His shield of salvation protects us, and His right hand holds us firm. As we face what David called, “the day of my calamity”, a time when everything seems to be falling apart, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s hand is actively at work, providing both the strength and comfort we need.

As children of God, we can have complete confidence in the salvation of God and the shield of victory He offers. The right hand of God not only defends us from life’s storms but also upholds us with His love and gentleness, guiding us through each trial and leading us toward spiritual growth. His right hand has held me up, and it will hold you up too!

God’s Gentle Discipline and Our Spiritual Growth

An often-overlooked aspect of Psalm 18:35 is the connection between God’s gentleness and our spiritual growth. The phrase “thy gentleness hath made me great” speaks volumes about how God’s approach to leading His children shows His unending kindness and patience. David experienced this gentle discipline and guidance of God. And we can too! His hand will gently shape us in ways that help us grow closer to Him.

God’s gentleness doesn’t mean He’s passive, instead, it reflects His loving care in guiding us through both the good times and bad. He leads us with grace, offering us grace upon grace each day. Through this process, we’re made great, not in our own strength, but through His.

The Armor of God

The imagery of armor in Psalm 18:35 of a shield of salvation and bow of bronze finds a powerful parallel in the New Testament where the Apostle Paul encourages believers to put on the Armor of God and stand against the schemes of the devil.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:13 ESV

Both passages use the metaphor of armor to illustrate the protection and strength God provides His people, reinforcing the idea that we’re engaged in a spiritual war and need divine help to endure.

In Psalm 18:35, David speaks of the “shield of thy salvation”, a protective force given by God that guards him in times of trouble. This shield represents God’s saving power, that not only deflects the attacks of enemies but also upholds David with His right hand. This is like the “shield of faith” described in Ephesians 6:16, a part of the armor Paul tells believers to put on to extinguish the flaming darts of the enemy. Both shields reflect God’s active role in defending and sustaining us during life’s challenges.

Similarly, elements of the Armor of God like the “belt of truth” and the “helmet of salvation”, echo the comprehensive protection offered by God’s shield and right hand in Psalm 18:35. In both instances, God gives His people everything we need for spiritual victory. David relied on the shield of thy salvation in his battles, trusting that God would uphold him. In the same way, we’re called to rely on the Armor of God, trusting that He’ll give us the strength to stand firm in the faith.

While Psalm 18:35 highlights the shield and the support of God’s right hand, Ephesians 6 expands this picture by describing the full range of spiritual armor, from the “breastplate of righteousness” to the “sword of the Spirit”, which is the Word of God. Together, these scriptures remind us that God provides us with both offensive and defensive protection, ensuring that we’re fully equipped to face any physical or spiritual battles that come our way.

Just as David found victory through the shield of salvation, we can find victory in Jesus when we put on the full Armor of God. We can always trust that God’s shield of salvation and His mighty armor will protect us, guide us, and give us the strength to persevere.

David’s Reflection: A Life of Deliverance

David’s life was filled with challenges. From the moment he was anointed king of Israel to his battles with Saul, David faced enemies and trials that tested his faith. But through it all, he held on to the steadfast love of God. Psalm 18 is a psalm of David, one of the victor psalms that celebrates the deliverance God provided throughout his life.

David knew the dangers God had brought him through. Whether it was the physical battles against his enemies or the spiritual growth that came from facing his own shortcomings and sins, David continually relied on God’s shield of victory and the support of Hiss right hand. David’s reflections on his life, found in the book of Psalms, are a reminder to us that we can also experience the faithfulness of God in every season of life.

The Mighty Power of God in Times of Trouble

In life, we will inevitably face challenges. But as we see in Psalm 18:35, God’s shield of salvation and His mighty power are more than enough to get us through even the hardest of circumstances. When the world seems overwhelming, and the weight of it all is too much to bear, we can take refuge in the shield of salvation and the protection of God’s right hand.

Whether we’re dealing with the daily challenges of life, struggling with sin, or confronting spiritual warfare, we can trust that God’s shield will protect us. His right hand upholds us, and His gentleness leads us toward victory.

Trusting in God’s Shield of Salvation

In our busy and chaotic lives, it may seem like we’re fighting an uphill battle. But Psalm 18:35 reminds us that we don’t fight these battles alone. God has given us His shield of salvation, and His right hand holds us up in tough times. The Lord God is our Defender, and we can have complete confidence in His protection.

Through the shield of thy salvation and the faithfulness of God, we’re fully equipped to face whatever comes our way. His gentleness, His power, and His steadfast love are all working together for our good.

As you meditate on the words of this song and the reflections of the life of David, remember that the shield of salvation isn’t just for him, it’s for all of God’s children. So, whether you’re facing hardship today or rejoicing in God’s blessings, I pray you’ll always put your trust in the mighty power of God and the victory you have in Christ Jesus.

Take heart, child of God. The shield of salvation is yours, and God’s right hand is holding you up today and every day!