BUCKLER

The word ‘buckler’ means shield or defence and describes the Lord as the shield or defence of His people.

In the Psalms it is not uncommon to find several applications of some passages. There is a primary application where the Psalm has been written usually out of some experience by the Psalmist. Yet, at the same time, he speaks of things that do not correspond to either an event or experience in the his own life. This is a prophetic application which looks forward to the experience of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This is one of those Psalms and we see the Lord in His own suffering and ultimate triumph. And, finally, there is a personal application of the Psalm where the promise or provision of God for His people can be applied to you and me.

The Lord as a shield meant a great deal to David, who found Himself in severe and threatening conflict with Saul. This application is confirmed for us by comparing the almost identical language in 2 Samuel chapter 22.

We cannot help but think of our own spiritual conflict with our enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil. As the spiritual man, David was troubled by the worldly man, Saul. We too are in a spiritual warfare. But like David we too have a ‘buckler’ in the Lord who also provides for us ‘the whole armour of God’, Eph. 6.10-18.

The practical truth of our God as a shield for us can only be known in the battle. Those who face conflict will see the power of God most clearly. We should not fear nor be discouraged over spiritual battles. David would never have known the Lord as his defence had he not been in the heat of the conflict. His experience with Saul, and God’s faithful deliverance, prepared him for greater battles with fiercer foes. The God of deliverance in the past would be the deliverer of the present and future. ‘As for God, his way is perfect’, 2 Sam. 22. 31.

Knowledge of the buckler is connected with his love for the Lord, v. 1, and His word, v. 30. Likewise, if we know Him better in the word, we will love Him more, and will know, in a practical way, the One who is our ‘buckler’.