Bible Strands
Psalms 35:2
Take up Your shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses the LORD, requesting military intervention against his pursuers immediately after his opening plea to contend with them. He speaks at the moment of active threat, asking God to mobilize for his protection.
The words — The Hebrew imperative הַחֲזֵק (ha.cha.Zek) means "take hold of," directly governing מָגֵן (ma.Gen) for "shield" and צִנָּה (tzi.nah) for "body shield." The command וְקֻמָּה (ve.qu.ma) literally instructs God to "arise" and act.
The thread — This divine warfare motif appears in Exodus 15:3, which names the LORD as a warrior, and Isaiah 42:13, which depicts Him advancing like a mighty one. The shield imagery reappears in Psalms 91:4, where God’s faithfulness serves as a protective barrier.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to recognize that survival in immediate conflict depends on God’s active intervention rather than human strategy. It demands a posture of urgent reliance on divine mobilization when facing opposition.
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
Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
Cross-references
- Psalms 91:4 He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.
- Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name.
- Isaiah 42:13 The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies:
- Deuteronomy 32:41 when I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me.
- Psalms 7:12 If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow.
- Isaiah 13:5 They are coming from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens—the LORD and the weapons of His wrath—to destroy the whole country.