Psalms 7:10

My defence is of God, which sayeth the upright in heart.

God, the shield bearer of the upright

Lit.: God is my shield bearer. Fig.: I hang my shield upon God. The idea is that of going to war, and having God as the carrier, the bearer, of our shield, so that before we can be struck down, God Himself must be wounded and overpowered. “My defence is of God.” There are times when we need great defences. There arise m life crises, points of agony, when we can only be silent, having first said to God, “Undertake for me.” There are times when it seems to us but a small thing, or a course quite natural, to claim all heaven as our defence. These are supreme moments. The bulk of life is commonplace, lived on an ordinary level, requiring the discharge of common duties. There are times when the whole heaven is no longer a defence, but an accusation. These are the terrible moments of life. Where, then, is man’s defence? Let man in such moments look within; let him trace the course of his own spirit and action; and if he can find in that action reasons for self-condemnation, then let him be penitent and broken-hearted; let him find God through his tears. The tears must not be selfish: no man must make an investment of his broken-heartedness. Repentance must be perfect, vital, sincere, all-inclusive. He does not repent who cries simply because the consequences are painful. Contrition has nothing to do with consequences. God may be both accuser and defender. He prefers the accusation with the reluctance of wounded love; through the accusation He causes to shine the light of the prepared defence: His mercy endureth forever. He is the defender of the sinner, when the offender falls down in contrition and self-examination. The Psalmist falls back upon the vital element of character. “Saveth the upright in heart.” Is God, then, only the defender of the righteous, who have never sinned? No such meaning is here. “The upright in heart” may not always be the upright in conduct. Men cannot go beyond conduct; God goes into motive, purpose, secret thought. May there, then, be broken conduct and yet a heart truly upright before God? There may be, and that is our hope. God does not look upon us as we are, but upon what we would be if we could. Where there is this integrity or uprightness of heart, all the rest will be well. When you have the upright heart all needful consistency will be guaranteed. A growing life is never a literally consistent one. Many a man is mechanically consistent who is spiritually self-contradictory. Do we want to be upright in heart? There is but one gospel way. The grace of God alone can make the heart true and new and beautiful. We cannot give ourselves uprightness of heart. It is not in man to make himself clean. (Joseph Parker, D. D.)

The upright in heart

I. A character described. The upright in heart. Now it includes inward principle as the wheel which puts the whole machine in action; and outward conduct is the result of it. Take as example--

1. Nathaniel. He was a man whose outward character corresponded with the promptings of his heart.

2. Remember there may be uprightness of heart with many failings. God looks at the intents of the heart. Only they must be sincere.

II. The privilege of this character.

1. God’s defence. We see how God defends the tender plants from winter’s cold and summer’s heat. But yet more does He protect His children. For His love is deeper, stronger, and more lasting than that of a mother.

2. God’s salvation. “God raiseth the upright in heart.” But our salvation is in Christ, there is none out of Him. (W. D. Howard.)