Bible Strands
Psalms 89:18
Surely our shield belongs to the LORD, and our king to the Holy One of Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, placing this declaration between a statement of His exalting favor and a recounting of His vision appointing a chosen king.
The words — `מָגִנֵּנוּ` (maginne-nu) translates literally as “our shield,” and `מַלְכֵּנוּ` (malke-nu) means “our king.”
The thread — The attribution of shields to God appears in Psalms 47:9, while the identification of Yahweh as monarch aligns with Isaiah 33:22.
Why it lands — The text assigns both defense and royal authority exclusively to Yahweh, requiring the reader to acknowledge that human leadership and security derive from divine appointment rather than independent power.
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
For the Lord is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
Cross-references
- Psalms 47:9 The nobles of the nations have assembled as the people of the God of Abraham; for the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted.
- Psalms 71:22 So I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
- Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King. It is He who will save us.
- Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.
- Psalms 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
- Isaiah 1:4 Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.
- Isaiah 12:6 Cry out and sing, O citizen of Zion, for great among you is the Holy One of Israel.”
- Isaiah 43:3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.
- Genesis 15:1 After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
- Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drives out the enemy before you, giving the command, ‘Destroy him!’