“His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4c

This eight word phrase is full of treasures. So much is said about spiritual warfare these days. You are about to discover one of the strongest weapons we have against the enemy. Just the fact that you are digging into these studies is giving the enemy a migraine. He is losing ground and he knows it.

Truth is difficult to come by in our world. There are so many ‘feelings,’ personal opinions, and all-out deception thrown into the mix. Finding the truth is a challenge.

Let’s see what His truth looks like.

TRUTH is Strong’s #571 and its primitive root is #539.  Truth means faithfulness, lovingkindness, peace, righteousness, and justice. To walk in truth is to conduct oneself according to God’s holy standards.

#539 is the primitive root and it looks like this:    It is a verb meaning to be firm, to build up, to support, to nurture, or to establish. The primary meaning is that of providing stability and confidence, and trustworthiness.

Here are the letters from right to left:

= Aleph 1= God – Echad – Unity, Unique (no other like it) Means: Ox head—Strength or Leader — The Strength and Power of the leader

= Mem 40 = Trial, testing, Tribulation. Means: Womb, Water from the womb, Mighty, Massive, Chaos, Humility, taking the low place, Hidden relationship with God.

= Tav 400 = The outcome of Trial and Testing. Means: a rough Cross, Covenant, Seal, Mark, A Sign, Ownership, Finished or Complete

Jesus said to His disciples, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6)  So, Truth is not just a set of facts. Truth is a Person.  Now, let’s read the meaning with this in mind.

TRUTH: When we dwell in the Secret Place, God-Jesus Himself, the Ultimate Leader (Aleph) Births us through every Trial and Test (Mem) because of His Covenant (Tav) with us. Truth is revealed in humility out of a hidden relationship with Him.(Mem) His Covenant word is faithful and does not change.(Tav)

Next in our phrase is the word SHIELD. Now if you’ve been to the movies, you’ve seen all kinds of shields. There are some interesting descriptions for this shield of truth:

Shield is Strong’s #6793 and it looks like this:    It is a noun referring to a hook. It refers to a sharp instrument used to gouge and lead away prisoners; a shield, a large shield, a buckler. It refers to a large, probably rectangular shield used in battle.

Here is what the shield of that century looked like. The soldiers would often stand side by side and place their shields edge to edge forming a wall of defense:

 

When we look at the letters, we get a deeper understanding:
 Tzade 90 = Humility. Picture-Fishhook.  Means: Righteousness, to pull toward, Desire, Trouble, Harvest
Nun  50 = Restoration, Holy Spirit, Jubilee. Means: Life or Action
Hey  5 = Grace.  Means: Revelation – 5 is the number of Torah, Behold, Give Attention – (at the end of a word: comes from letter before)

 

His Shield of Truth is Righteousness that stands against every curse of the enemy(Tzade). It Restores Life (Nun)to every circumstance with Revelation (Hey) that comes from the Holy Spirit Life in us.(Nun)

In other words, His shield of truth renews our mind, will and emotions with His word and stirs us to make Him and His word the focus. It raises us to life and puts our faith into action.
David also says that His truth shall be thy shield and BUCKLER.
Now a buckler is smaller. Here is a rectangular one and a circular one.

 

 Buckler is Strong’s #5507 and its primitive root is #5503.  Here is what #5503 looks like:
I am putting the meanings of both Strong’s numbers here because each of them have specific clues for us.

#5507 is defined as a feminine noun referring to a small shield, a buckler. It refers to a defensive weapon used to ward off the attacks and blows of an enemy. It is used figuratively of God’s faithfulness to His people as their shield or protection.

#5503 means to travel as merchants, to trade. It refers to a merchant, a commercial business man, a traveling trader. To travel round as a peddaler, to palpitate-go about, merchant, occupy with, trade, traffic.

Okay, let’s look at the letters:

Samekh  60 = Pride, Conceit, Earthly. Picture: A Tree propped up by a piece of wood. Means: To Lean Upon, a Prop or Aid, Hold, Assist or Support  – the heart of God
Chet  8 = New Beginnings. Means: Fence, Gate, Tent wall to Separate, Protect, Cut off. Torah
Resh  200 = Insufficiency, Poverty. Picture: Head Means: Head, Chief, Beginning, Highest, Most Important, a Person, Human Reasoning vs. Obedience.  (When we allow human reasoning to be our master, our head, poverty of the Spirit results.)

His BUCKLER of Truth is something we can Lean on for Support (Samekh). It is a Fence that shuts us in with God and Separates us from the enemy(Chet). It is the Head over all things turning our Insufficiency to complete provision(Resh).

Go gave me an interesting picture of all of this, especially the buckler:

~~~Journal notes~~~

In November 2005, while I was reading Psalm 91, He stopped on the word “buckler.” I dug into the Hebrew meaning and then had to ask Him if I was understanding it correctly.

‘Your truth not only shields me from the enemy and empowers my intercession, but it also moves me to travel with You to occupy enemy territory, trade with others in ministry and teaching, giving and receiving. So abiding is more than standing still protected. Abiding is being empowered to travel in protection to do Your will. Is that right, Lord?’

“Yes, you are seeing in part. There is more. Buckler is also Me pedaling around you, hemming you in to do My will with Love holding you back from your own good ideas. At times it will feel like taunting and you will be frustrated and angry, but the second you surrender, there will be peace. The second you surrender you can get back on our tandem, letting Me do the choosing and the leading, and we will go. My truth will set you free. My truth will bring surrender of your will and set you free in Mine! What joy is that place of unity with Me. What joy awaits all those who look to Me for help and surrender to My plan, My purpose, My will. It’s easy—Just Look Up!”

~~~

About a month later at a church worship night, God gave me another piece of understanding. A depressed young woman was asking for prayer. As she shared her story, I suddenly saw, in my spirit, Jesus circling her on a bicycle. As He went, He was declaring truth to her.

“I am your Deliverer. I am your Peace. I love you with an everlasting love. Nothing can separate you from My love. I am with you, you have nothing to fear. No weapon formed against you will prosper.” On and on He proclaimed truth.  I spoke those words to her and her entire countenance changed. She was set free to believe again. His Truth set her free. It became her shield and buckler protecting her from the taunts and lies of the enemy.

If you are caught in the middle of confusion, depression, pain, fear, timidity, etc., ask Him for His shield and buckler. Ask Him to give you His word on the matter and watch Him change your heart. The circumstance may remain the same but He will lift you above them and give you new perspective. The Secret Place is a place of victory as you lean on Him for support in faith.

May you be encircled with His Truth today and step out in faith to let His light shine through you.

If you’d like to see a summary of the treasure in verse 4, look here:

Shalom ♥

*Photo by kazuend on Unsplash