SUN AND SHIELD

Since this is the only occurrence of this divine title, the context guides us to its meaning. The psalm’s three sections, divided by ‘Selahs’, vv. 1-4; 5-8; 9-12, each contain a blessing: for a praising, pilgrim, and protected people, vv. 4, 5,12. They went to Zion to ‘appear before God’, v. 7, obeying His command, Exod. 23. 17. Fields and family were vulnerable for two weeks as they went to their feast through early or autumn rains, v. 6. Faith in the Sun and Shield, their provider and protector, enabled them to do this. Noting some truths linked with the sun will help our understanding:

Regulation: God made the sun to rule the day, Gen. 1. 16. It determined days, Mal. 1.11, directions, Zech. 8. 7 YLT, duration, Ps. 89. 36, and also the dimensions of our existence, Eccles. 1. 3. To these pilgrims, the sun regulated their appointed feasts, their harvests, yes, their entire life.

Righteousness: Both David and Malachi associate this with the sun, 2 Sam. 23. 3, 4; Mal. 4. 2. Idolaters in Mesopotamia worshipped the sun as the god of justice. These obedient pilgrims worshipped the Son, in whose clear light right prospered and wrong suffered, for ‘no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly’, v. 11. How wholesome is the reminder: obedience is the certain path to every good!

Resources: Moses attributed fruitfulness to the sun, Deut. 33.14. The sun bathes all nature in blessing. These pilgrims owe all their harvest blessings to the Son, as we too owe everything material and spiritual to this unchanging Son, Jas. 1.17.

Resplendence: In Israel’s coming kingdom, instead of light from the sun,’thy God [shall be] thy glory’, Isa. 60.19; Rev. 21.23. Psalm 84 says He will give ‘glory’. The Son will spread His glory over His people; this Feast of ingathering, or Tabernacles, anticipates their glorious future, Matt. 17. 4, 2 Pet. 1.16.

Restoration : The Sun of Righteousness has healing in His wings for the nation’s backslidings, Hos. 14. 4, Isa. 53. 5. Grace will preserve this unworthy nation through long centuries. Glory will shine on and in their restoration. The Shield will protect from every danger; the Sun will provide for every good.