The Shield, 2

This also applies to the New Israel, the Christians. Truly our enemies would have swallowed us up alive, had the Lord not been in us and kept us. Blessed be the Lord Who hath not given us to be a prey unto their teeth (Ps. 123:5). From this, we see how vain is every hope except that on God; how rotten dependence on any man, and what a false defence is every construction. For this reason, forsaking all else, let us flee to this sure and invincible shield. It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to hope in the Lord than to hope in princes (Ps. 117:8-9). Let others defend themselves with cunning and artfully devised words, let others do so with their gold, silver and other precious goods, let others use their rank or their high-sounding titles, others the patronage of princes and great men, and let others do so with other means, as they wish. But all this, which does not protect one, - all this is a false and rotten shield; this cheats them of their hope. We will protect ourselves in the name of the Lord, and we will not be put to shame. Look, Christian, only to God, and the name of the Lord will defend you from all the calumny of the enemy. I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my foundation, and my refuge, and my deliverer. My God is my helper, and I will hope in Him, my defender, and the horn of my salvation, and my helper. With praise will I call upon the name of the Lord, and from mine enemies shall I be saved. (Ps. 17 1-3). For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me (Ps. 22:4). Thou art my refuge from the affliction which surroundeth me; O my Rejoicing, deliver me from them which have encircled me (Ps. 31:7). Thou art my helper, unto Thee will I chant; for Thou, O God, art my helper; O my God, Thou art my mercy (Ps. 58:19). When the Christian abides in the grace of God and in the help and protection of the Most High, then although wicked people, the whole universe, the whole world, all the devils and hades, strive and rise up against him, and although all the afflictions and dangers that occur in the world surround him, nothing will succeed. For God, Who holds him in His almighty right hand, who protects and keeps him, is more powerful than all else. Therefore do not be afraid, pious and God-beloved soul. For He shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunters and from every troubling word. With His shoulder will He overshadow thee, and under His wings shalt thou have hope. With a shield will His truth encompass thee; thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, nor for the thing that walketh in darkness, nor for the mishap and demon of noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but unto thee shall it not come nigh (Ps. 90:3-7). And the whole Psalter teaches us concerning this.

Translated from the “Spiritual Treasury” of St Tikhon of Zadonsk, 1724 - 1783 A.D.

Translator’s note: Every week, twice a week in Great Lent, we hear the whole Psalter read through in church, but often we simply let the words wash over us and pay little attention. See how much spiritual strength and nourishment St Tikhon is able to draw forth just from a few verses of the psalms.