Our focus verse today is taken from Psalm 28:7. Read it very carefully, please.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, AND I AM HELPED: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”
These inspired Lines sure do “brag” on the Lord, otherwise called “exalting” Him. Acknowledging Him to be both “Strength” (in Hebrew meaning “Power, Might, Boldness,” even “Victor”) and “Shield” (meaning “a large defensive piece of armor,” defending one from head to toe to my life.) These nouns, when placed in tandem like this, may very well may represent … God’s protection both offensively and defensively!
Wow!
More … the Lord is trustworthy! “My heart trusted in him,” testifies the Psalmist David. This verb implies believing, leaning, following the Lord to this degree, I have not a worry (care) in the world. He will handle it all, everything I am facing!
Then we come to the core, heart of the verse, and the title of today’s Lesson … “I am helped.” In Hebrew “azar” (root of the Bible name “Ezra”) means “to support, to succour, to prop up.”
Has God ever strengthened your feeble knees (Isaiah 35:3)? Or lifted up your sagging (exhausted) hands (Hebrews 12:12)? Or gently put His Hand under your languishing head (Psalm 3:3)?
Has He ever helped you? (That definition of “succour” means literally “to come running” to be of aid!) Many a time seems like the Lord has come running my way! Right on time, too!
Yes, “I AM HELPED!”
Daily, by Him!
So … what should my response be to this divine Help?
The rest of our Text verse … “Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”
“Therefore” (a conjunction here) means “as a result, consequently.” Because He has helped me!
I will “rejoice!” Greatly rejoice, in fact! An emotional word, “alaz,” usually resulting in singing and shouting!
Then I will “with song” … “praise” Him too! “Yadah” is the verb, literally (though reverently) “throwing” words of gratitude and appreciation His Way, to the Lord!
So, when God helps you … how many times today will that happen … respond these two ways:
First … rejoice!(A heart function!)
Second … praise Him!(A mouth, tongue function!)
One might call this … “Bible obligations when accepting God’s gracious Help in our lives.”
Let’s read the verse once more … “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, AND I AM HELPED: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalm 28:7
Amen!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
.