Bible Strands
Psalms 18:35
You have given me Your shield of salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your gentleness exalts me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses God directly, recounting divine deliverance immediately after describing God training his hands for battle and before noting God broadening his path.
The words — מָגֵן יִשְׁעֶךָ (ma.gen yish.'E./kha) translates literally as "shield of your salvation," while עַנְוָתְךָ (ve./'an.vat./Kha) means "your gentleness."
The thread — The identical phrasing regarding the shield of salvation and God's gentleness exalting the speaker appears in 2 Samuel 22:36, and the theme of divine support aligns with the shield imagery in Psalms 28:7.
Why it lands — The text states that God provides a shield of salvation, upholds the speaker with His right hand, and elevates him through His gentleness. This requires the reader to attribute survival and elevated standing directly to divine action rather than human capability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James 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.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 22:36 You have given me Your shield of salvation, and Your gentleness exalts me.
- James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.
- Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- 2 Corinthians 10:1 Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
- Deuteronomy 33:29 Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is the shield that protects you, the sword in which you boast. Your enemies will cower before you, and you shall trample their high places.”
- Isaiah 40:11 He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
- Psalms 17:7 Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes.
- Psalms 45:3 Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor.
- Psalms 5:12 For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor.