I’m reading the Psalms in a new translation, and I’m amazed at little words that catch my eye. In the English Standard Version (ESV), I read Psalm 5 with fresh insight. David says this in verse 12:
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.
In the NIV, you’d read “you surround him with favor.” Other translations replace the verb “cover” and “surround” with “compass” and even “crown.” In the Hebrew, the verb actually means both encircle and crown. It’s beautiful! God covers us (protecting us with His encircling care, while also blessing us, honoring us, crowning us).
We are surrounded and crowned. We are encircled and honored.
I love picturing the encircling presence of God around us. And then I remember He also crowns us with all the dignity, honor, and favor of one who wears the royal crown.