My Buckler

By Pamela Rose Williams

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:1-2

Sometimes in my devotions I come across a great Old English word. Today I saw the word “buckler” surrounded by all of these other words that are used by the Psalmist to describe the Lord.

We have heard the Lord described as “my strength” and “my rock” and even “my fortress”, but this word “buckler”…this was a new one for me. So, I had to look it up! I often say that when you are studying the Bible sometimes you need some other helps nearby. It is good to have a concordance of some type as well as a Bible dictionary. But in this case, I needed a good Old English dictionary. So, I went to the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary and found this definition:

“BUCK’LER, noun A kind of shield, or piece of defensive armor, anciently used in war. It was composed of wood, or wickers woven together, covered with skin or leather, fortified with plates of brass or other metal, and worn on the left arm. On the middle was an umbo, boss or prominence, very useful in causing stones and darts to glance off. The buckler often was four feet long, and covered the whole body.”

Well, that explained it! So very often times the Psalmist is discussing battles and war, and sometimes even trying to escape his real enemy. I love how he used a great picture of battle armour to illustrate how very much we are under the Lord’s protection. This “buckler” was an essential piece of the body armour used by ancient warriors. It was actually THE shield that protected the entire body … especially the heart.

That “buckler” warded off stones and darts that could have otherwise killed the warrior. It was indeed a necessary tool in battle.

The Word of God promises that our tools for warfare are essential in our ability to fight, even when it is a spiritual war! Even though we know we have an eternal home with God in Heaven, while we are on this earth, we are forever fighting against the Evil one, that old devil, the one we know as Satan.

Open your Bible and read Ephesians 6:11-18. In that passage we see:

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”

We see in verses 14 and 15 that we have the shield of faith and the breastplate of righteousness. This is our buckler! Are you prepared for battle? When you are daily in the Word you can rely upon what you know to be the truth that sets you free. And you are confident that the Lord is ever with you. All glory to Him!

Read more about the weapons here: wrestling match