The Sovereign Lord is Our Shield

Psalm 33:20–22 NKJV

20 Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. 22 Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 33:20–22

The conclusion of the psalm is a reassertion of faith in the LORD. God’s people demonstrate their faith in three ways. First, they wait in hope (cf. 25:5, 21; 39:7; 62:5; 71:5) for deliverance from the Lord as their Help (cf. 30:10; 40:17; 46:1; 54:4; 63:7; 70:5; 115:9–11; 146:5) and Shield (cf. comments on 3:3). Second, they rejoice in Him whom they trust (33:21). Third, they pray for His unfailing love (ḥeseḏ; cf. vv. 5, 18) to rest on them. So they are confident (hope) He will consummate His program of salvation.

1. We Wait (v. 20)

Being prepared to patiently look towards God for his guidance and accepting the timing he proposes.

Waiting has a great deal to do with being patent.

PATIENCE - The quality of forbearance and self-control which shows itself particularly in a willingness to wait upon God and His will.

Remember we are to trust in God’s sovereign will and plan for our life.

James 5:7–8 NKJV

7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

We are waiting for Christ to return

“Waiting on Christ” is often seen in terms of waiting patiently for God to bring about the end of all things through the promised second coming of Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:13 NKJV

13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

God knows our needs and understands our troubles.

We are to be patient and trust in Him who is our help and our shield.

SHIELD - A piece of armour used to fend off blows or missiles such as arrows.

God is described as the shield of his people, protecting, giving help, strength and favour.

Faith is the shield with which believers are to ward off spiritual attack

Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

2. We Rejoice in Him Whom We Trust (v.21)

Psalm 13:5 NKJV

5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

Psalm 28:7 NKJV

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

Rejoicing in Him seems to stem from ones trust towards who God is. That is to say, “Because we have trusted in His holy name. (YHWH)

Scripture emphasizes the importance of putting one’s trust in God.

This trust, which is nurtured by and understanding of God’s revealed truth, (The Holy Bible) finds expression in a life lived according to his purpose.

Rejoice in YHWH as you trust in His power and strength

2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Rejoice in YHWH as you trust in His salvation

Isaiah 12:2 NKJV

2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ”

Which then leads to our final point

3. We Pray for His Unfailing Love (v. 22)

The Hebrew word for mercy is “he-sed”- loyal love or unfailing Love it can also be translated to goodness, favor, kindness, loveliness and mercy of course.

The Hebrew word is found more than 246 times in 239 verses.

Psalm 147:11 NKJV

11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.

Psalm 136:1–26 NKJV

1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: 4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever; 5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever; 6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever; 7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever— 8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever; 9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever. 10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures forever; 11 And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures forever; 12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever; 13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures forever; 14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His mercy endures forever; 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures forever; 16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures forever; 17 To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy endures forever; 18 And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever— 19 Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever; 20 And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures forever— 21 And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy endures forever; 22 A heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy endures forever. 23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever; 24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever; 25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever. 26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.