Lexical Summary
shomrah: Guard, Watch, Protection
Original Word:שָׁמְרָה
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:shomrah
Pronunciation:sho-mer-ah
Phonetic Spelling:(shom-raw')
KJV: watch
NASB:guard
Word Origin:[feminine of an unused noun fromH8104 (שָׁמַר - keep) meaning a guard]
1. watchfulness
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
watch
Feminine of an unused noun fromshamar meaning a guard; watchfulness -- watch.
see HEBREWshamar
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
shamarDefinitiona guard, watch
NASB Translationguard (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; —
Psalm 141:3 ("" ).
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scopeשָׁמְרָה denotes a “guard” or “sentinel,” figuratively extending to any conscious act of vigilance. In Scripture it embodies the idea of deliberate, continuous protection placed over something valued.
Biblical Occurrence
Psalm 141:3 is the sole instance: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips”. David pleads for a divinely posted sentinel to prevent careless or sinful speech.
Theological Themes
1. Divine Enablement: The request acknowledges human inability to restrain the tongue apart from grace (compareJames 3:8).
2. Heart–Mouth Connection: Speech reveals inner character; therefore the “guard” implies transformation at the heart level (Matthew 12:34).
3. Prayer as Preventive Sanctification: Rather than seeking forgiveness after failure, the psalm models praying for restraint beforehand (seeMatthew 6:13).
Historical Background
In ancient cities sentries stood at gates to admit allies and repel enemies. David borrows that imagery, picturing lips as gates through which words enter the public arena. Mishandled words could spark blood feuds, diplomatic crises, or covenant violations; thus guarding speech was more than etiquette—it was communal preservation.
Related Biblical Motifs
• Guarding the Heart: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
• Guarding Doctrine: “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit” (2 Timothy 1:14).
• Watchmen on Walls: Prophets were stationed as moral sentinels over Israel (Ezekiel 3:17). The same concept underlies שָׁמְרָה.
Practical Ministry Implications
• Pastoral Counseling: Encourage believers to invite God’s active supervision over speech, especially in conflict resolution and social media engagement.
• Corporate Worship: Liturgical prayers can incorporatePsalm 141:3 to sanctify congregational dialogue before fellowship or the Lord’s Table.
• Discipleship Training: Memorizing verses on guarded speech (Proverbs 13:3; 21:23;Ephesians 4:29) equips saints to yield their tongues to the Spirit.
Christological and Ethical Reflections
Jesus exemplified guarded speech, responding to hostility with measured words or silence (John 19:9–11). His self-control fulfills the ideal David sought, providing both model and enabling righteousness for believers through union with Him (Galatians 2:20).
Key Takeaways for Discipleship
• Words possess covenantal weight; careless talk can break fellowship with God and neighbor.
• Prayer for preventive grace is a legitimate and necessary discipline.
• The sentinel imagery summons believers to an active, Spirit-dependent vigilance that honors Christ in every conversation.
Forms and Transliterations
שָׁמְרָ֣ה שמרה šā·mə·rāh šāmərāh shameRah
Links
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Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
