shield

⁷The Lord is my helper and my protector. In him, my heart has hoped and I have been helped. And my flesh has flourished again. And from my will, I shall confess to him.

⁴But you, Lord, are my supporter, my glory, and the one who raises up my head.

¹⁰Concerning the rest, brothers, be strengthened in the Lord, by the power of his virtue. ¹¹Be clothed in the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the treachery of the devil. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the directors of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places. ¹³Because of this, take up the armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand the evil day and remain perfect in all things. ¹⁴Therefore, stand firm, having been girded about your waist with truth, and having been clothed with the breastplate of justice, ¹⁵and having feet which have been shod by the preparation of the Gospel of peace.

¹³For you will bless the just. You have crowned us, O Lord, as if with a shield of your good will.

⁵Every word of God is fire-tested. He is a bronze shield to those who hope in him.

⁴He will overshadow you with his shoulders, and you will hope under his wings.

¹And so, these things having been transacted, the word of the Lord came to Abram by a vision, saying: “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your protector, and your reward is exceedingly great.”

¹⁴Because he has hoped in me, I will free him. I will protect him because he has known my name. ¹⁵He will cry out to me, and I will heed him. I am with him in tribulation. I will rescue him, and I will glorify him. ¹⁶I will fill him with length of days. And I will reveal to him my salvation.

¹The Praise of a Canticle, of David. Whoever dwells with the assistance of the Most High will abide in the protection of the God of heaven. ²He will say to the Lord, “You are my supporter and my refuge.” My God, I will hope in him. ³For he has freed me from the snare of those who go hunting, and from the harsh word. ⁴He will overshadow you with his shoulders, and you will hope under his wings. ⁵His truth will surround you with a shield. You will not be afraid: before the terror of the night, ⁶before the arrow flying in the day, before the troubles that wander in the darkness, nor of invasion and the midday demon.

³²And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

¹⁶In all things, take up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one.

¹⁵If you love me, keep my commandments.