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Psalm 78:72
So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
70He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;
71from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance.
72So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
Notice
David’s heart and hands both matter in this account of shepherding, a portrait that can sharpen your attention to character and skill in leadership.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
Where do you see integrity of heart and skillful hands working together in someone who guides you?
Write on thisWhat skill might help you care for a person entrusted to you?
Write on thisWhat would integrity of heart look like in one responsibility you carry today?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
1 Kings 9:4As for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, …Both describe David’s integrity of heart, with Kings making his obedience to God’s commands a pattern for his son.
2 Timothy 2:15Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.Skilled shepherding and a workman’s sound handling of the Word of Truth share an emphasis on competence in entrusted work.
Psalm 7:8The LORD administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me.Integrity describes David’s shepherding in Psalm 78 and forms part of the speaker’s appeal for the LORD’s judgment in Psalm 7.
Isaiah 11:2–4The LORD’s Spirit will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the …The connection is broad: Psalm 78 describes integrity and skill, while Isaiah names wisdom and understanding supplied by the LORD’s Spirit.
1 Kings 15:5because David did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and didn’t turn away from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except only in …Both commend David’s conduct, though Kings names the matter of Uriah the Hittite as an exception to his obedience.
Psalm 101:1–8A Psalm by David. I will sing of loving kindness and justice. To you, LORD, I will sing praises.David appears as shepherd in Psalm 78 and as the singer praising the LORD’s loving kindness and justice in Psalm 101.
Acts 13:22When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will …Both connect David’s leadership with the heart: the psalm names his integrity, and Acts records God’s testimony about his willingness to obey.
Ezekiel 46:18Moreover the prince shall not take of the people’s inheritance, to thrust them out of their possession. He shall give inheritance to his sons out of his own …Both concern a ruler’s treatment of the people: David shepherds them, while Ezekiel forbids a prince from taking their inheritance.
Genesis 20:5Didn’t he tell me, ‘She is my sister’? She, even she herself, said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my …Both link integrity with the heart and mention hands, though Genesis describes innocence while the psalm describes skill.
2 Samuel 8:15David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people.Both describe David’s leadership of Israel, pairing the psalm’s shepherding with Samuel’s account of justice and righteousness for his people.
1 Kings 3:6–9Solomon said, “You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and in …Both describe David’s heart as upright, with Solomon recalling his father’s truth and righteousness before God.
Zechariah 11:15–17The LORD said to me, “Take for yourself yet again the equipment of a foolish shepherd.Both use a shepherd figure, contrasting David’s integrity and skill with the foolish shepherd whose equipment Zechariah is told to take.
Where this verse fits
Leadership weight. parenting. caregiving.
One step
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Encouragement
God chose David from the sheepfolds to care for his people. In that work, integrity of heart and skillful hands both mattered.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).