2:7

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

7a
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

7bH
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity,

2:7a

He stores up: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He stores up indicates that the LORD figuratively sets something aside for the upright. Some ways to translate this word are:

reserves (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
holds…in store (New International Version)

Some English versions imply that there is something available for the LORD to give, but do not explicitly express the meaning of “stores up.” For example:

provides (Good News Translation)
-or-
gives (Contemporary English Version)

This may be a good option in some languages.

sound wisdom: The Hebrew word tušiyyah, which the Berean Standard Bible translates here as sound wisdom, includes two ideas:

(a) resourcefulness, competence, good sense, ability to plan what to do

(b) the success or victory that results from this resourcefulness

In the context of the parallel word “shield,” sense (b) of this Hebrew word is appropriate. However, most English versions focus on sense (a). See also 8:14a, where the Berean Standard Bible translates the same word as “sound judgment.” “Sound judgment” is a good parallel to “shield,” because the LORD’s gift of sound judgment protects people who are upright/blameless.

In some languages, it may be possible to use two separate terms to cover both aspects of meaning. For example:

resourcefulness and success

for the upright: The term the upright refers to those whose conduct is right and just and straightforward. Some ways to translate this word are:

righteous (Good News Translation)
-or-
everyone who obeys him (Contemporary English Version)

2:7b

those who walk with integrity: The word walk is an idiom that refers to a person’s customary conduct. The Hebrew noun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as integrity has the underlying meaning of completeness or perfection. It refers to consistent, flawless, moral goodness.

General Comment on 2:7a–b

The parallel terms “upright” and “those who walk with integrity” refer to the same group of people. The New Living Translation (1996) makes this clear by using the pronoun “their” in 2:7b:

7a He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. (New Living Translation (1996))

7b He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. (New Living Translation (1996))

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder these terms. For example:

He is a constant source of good judgment for those who consistently do what is right. He is like a shield that protects them.

The above translation also changes the metaphor “He is a shield” into a simile and makes explicit the way in which he is similar to a shield. This may be a good option for languages which do not use metaphors.

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