O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

PSALMS 140:7KJV
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Psalms 140:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 140:7 mean?

Psalms 140:7 expresses a prayer of trust, where the speaker calls God the Lord his strength and savior, recognizing that God has protected him—specifically, by covering his head during times of danger or battle. The verse highlights God’s role as both a defender and the source of salvation in moments of conflict.

In this psalm, David is speaking directly to God, likely during a time when he faced real threats from enemies. The image of God covering his head “in the day of battle” points to God’s protection, much like a helmet shields a soldier. The verse is part of a larger plea for deliverance from violent people and emphasizes David’s dependence on God for safety.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 140:7

  • GOD (יְהוִה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often used to stress God’s covenant relationship and faithfulness to his people.
  • strength (עֹז, ‘oz): This word means strength or might, and here it highlights God as the source of power and protection, not just physical but also spiritual.
  • covered (סָכַךְ, sakhakh): This verb means to cover, shield, or protect. The image is of God providing a protective covering, like a shield or helmet, over David’s head in battle.
  • battle (קְרָבָה, qeravah): This word refers to a literal battle or conflict, showing that the protection described is not just figurative but rooted in real-life danger.

Why Psalms 140:7 matters

  • The verse clarifies that David’s confidence is not in his own strength or armor, but in God’s active protection during real threats.
  • By using the image of God covering his head, the verse connects spiritual trust with the practical realities of ancient warfare, making the protection very tangible.
  • This verse ties into the wider psalm, which is a plea for deliverance from evil people, showing that David’s hope for rescue is grounded in God’s past faithfulness to protect him.

Where else these words appear

“battle” Hebrew H5402 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:25 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
  • Nehemiah 3:19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.
  • Isaiah 22:8 And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.

“covered” Hebrew H5526 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
  • 1 Kings 8:7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
  • Psalms 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

“salvation” Hebrew H3444 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.
  • Psalms 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
  • Psalms 118:21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

“strength” Hebrew H5797 · used in 92 verses

  • Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
  • Psalms 61:3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
  • Proverbs 10:15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.