Verses 7 and 8 expand the reason given in verse 6 by naming additional acts the Lord does for the upright.

“He stores up sound wisdom for the upright”: “Stores up” translates the verb rendered “treasure up” in verse 1. “Sound wisdom” renders a word that is found in Isa 28.29 and Micah 6.9, but otherwise only in Job and Proverbs. There is some doubt about the precise meaning of the word. Toy suggests that the sense is the power to act, achieve, help, or deliver, and favors the last of these as a match for “shield” in the next line. Modern versions have a variety of renderings such as “ability,” “success,” “advice,” “counsel,” and “victory.” Bible en français courant, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Good News Translation, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch all say “help.” Contemporary English Version has “helpful advice” and adds “or wisdom” in its footnote. In light of “shield” in the parallel line, a word such as “help,” “protection,” or “deliverance” seems appropriate.

In many languages to “store up” good sense, help, or deliverance may make little or no sense. The thought to be translated is that the Lord makes these available and provides or gives them to “the upright”. “The upright” refers to persons who conform their lives to right conduct or who live as they should. The word is used in Job 1.1 to describe the moral character of Job.

“He is a shield to those who walk in integrity”: “A shield” is an image of protection and defense. This image must sometimes be stated as a simile, for example, “The Lord is like a shield.” In languages in which shields are unknown, it is often necessary to replace the actual image with the idea the “shield” represents; for example, “He protects” or “He defends.”

“Those who walk in integrity” matches “the upright” in the first line. “Integrity” translates a word meaning “perfect,” “complete,” or “blameless.” “Walk in” followed by an abstract quality is commonly used in the Old Testament to mean to live or to conduct yourself in a particular way. Here the sense is as in Psa 26.1 “do what is right” or “live in the right way.” Good News Translation calls such people “honest.” Contemporary English Version has “who live as they should.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “All who follow him [the Lord] with sincere hearts find in him protection and help.” In some languages figures are used; for example, “He helps those who walk straight paths, and he defends those who go about with one heart.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .