Psalms 84:9

9. Our shield Our protector; so the word is figuratively used Psalms 47:9; Hosea 4:18, where shields is rendered rulers, because they are the natural protectors of the people. The title points to the imperilled state of the nation.

Look upon the face of thine anointed To “look upon the face,” in oriental phrase, is to give assurance of favour. To “look upon the face” of a suppliant is to grant his request. If he has offended and asks mercy, instead of saying, “I forgive you,” the answer is, “I have seen thy face.” David said of Absalom, “Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face,” (2 Samuel 14:24;) a mark of high displeasure. Genesis 43:3; 2 Samuel 3:13. But who is the “anointed” here mentioned? Those who think David wrote the psalm apply the title to him. But Zerubbabel must be understood rather, who, with Joshua the high priest, (one the head of the spiritual, and the other of the secular, interests of the nation,) are called the “anointed ones,” or those consecrated with oil. Zechariah 4:14. These leaders of the nation built the great altar, (Ezra 3:2,) and also the temple, (Ezra 5:2,) and the public prosperity rested with them. See Haggai 1:1, and Zechariah 3:4, The prayer assumes that if God “look upon the face” of the representatives of the nation in this crisis, the nation will rise from its ruins. Spiritually Christ is our representative, God’s “anointed,” in whose face he can look complacently and grant us peace.