For years, Psalm 3:3 has been a favorite verse. I learned it as a child in the King James Version and it’s the one engraved on my heart: But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.  It wasn’t until I began studying the Hebrew meaning of letters that I gained a deeper appreciation that He is my shield.

There are four different Strong’s numbers for the word shield, but #4043 is the one that appears the most in scripture.

This word for shield appears sixty-three times in sixty different verses from Genesis 15:1 to Nahum 2:3.

Strong’s 4043–Here is the definition: מָגֵן mâgên, maw-gane’; also (in plural) feminine מְגִנָּה mᵉginnâh; from H1598; a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile:—× armed, buckler, defence, ruler, scale, shield.

Since we are focusing on the LORD, I was surprised to see that the first mention of this word in Genesis 15:1, the LORD is speaking to Abraham.

“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceeding great reward.”

In this same chapter, the LORD establishes a covenant with Abraham, which we, as believers, still receive benefit today. (Here is further reading about Abraham’s covenant  applied to believers– Genesis 12:1-3, 17:1-27; Galatians 3:6-9, 13-14,16, 26-29)

The word magen refers to an object which provides covering and protection to the body during warfare.  It also refers to a prince, as protector of the realm.

For the Lord is our defense (shield); and the Holy One of Israel is our king. Psalm 89:18 KJV

David also declares, “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.” Psalm 28:7

And Solomon wrote, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” Proverbs 30:5

Here is what #4043 looks like: And here are the letters and their meaning reading from right to left.

 Mem 40= Trial, Testing, Tribulation.  Means Womb, Water from the womb, Cleansing water, flowing water that brings life, Mighty, Massive Chaos, Humility, taking the low place, hidden relationship with God, Cleansing water, flowing water that brings life.

Gimmel  3= Divine perfection  Means: Camel, Generous Rich man, To Lift up, to Give, to Benefit, to Toil

Nun  50 = Restoration, Holy Spirit, Jubilee. Means: Life or Action

The LORD is our SHIELD – (Mem)He is constantly cleansing us through trials and testing, strengthening our relationship with Him. (Gimmel) He is generous with His protection (Nun) restoring us to life.

Now let’s look at Strong’s #1598, the primitive root–

גָּנַן gânan, gaw-nan’; a primitive root; to hedge about, i.e. (generally) protect:—defend.

#1598 only appears in scripture eight times in seven different verses.  In all of them, it is translated as ‘defend.’

In Zechariah 12:8, Zechariah prophesies, “In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them.”

Here are the letters from right to left:

 Gimmel  3= Divine perfection  Means: Camel, Generous Rich man, To Lift up, to Give, to Benefit, to Toil

Nun  50 = Restoration, Holy Spirit, Jubilee. Means: Life or Action

Final Nun  700 = Means: Life or Action

Again, this highlights God’s generosity toward us restoring life.

Unlike any other god, our God disciples us and protects us.  He draws us into a relationship with Him through His generosity (Gimmel) and brings restoration to the life (Nun)  He created us to live. He defends and protects us, leads us and restores us.

How blessed we are to be His.  If the enemy comes to tell you that you are alone and God isn’t faithful, consider these scriptures and stand on God’s faithfulness to them.

Psalm 32:7-8  You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.

Psalm 121  I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
² My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

³ He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
⁸ The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

 God doesn’t protect us from some ivory palace in the sky.  He is with us, always.

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

Matthew 28:20 “…behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Have a blessed week as you focus on your Great Defender, your Shield. ♥ Shalom