You gave me the shield of Your salvation. Your right hand supports me, and Your gentleness made me great.
David once again attributes his protection, stability, and exaltation entirely to God. The “shield of salvation” shows the Lord’s guarding care, and the words “Your right hand supports me” speak of His strengthening and establishing power. David realizes that as he passed through dangers, what kept him was not his own strength, but the hand of God. The phrase “Your gentleness made me great” is especially notable. It shows God’s favorable, meek, and caring attitude toward His servant. David does not attribute his exaltation and success to his own merits. He grew and was established because the Lord dealt kindly with him, preserved him, taught him, and guided him. Even the past hardships and corrections God used to prepare him for the service He had entrusted to him. For the believer, this is an important lesson in humility. The protection, strength, or success received from God are not reasons for self-glorification. The more clearly a person sees how the Lord has preserved and guided him, the more reason he has to give the glory to Him with thanksgiving.