### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **shomrâh**, represented by `{{H8108}}`, is a term for a **guard**, **watchfulness**, or **watch**. It is derived from a feminine form of an unused noun. According to usage statistics, it appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, making its single appearance highly significant.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole use of `{{H8108}}` is found in a prayer within the Psalms. In [[Psalms 141:3]], the psalmist pleads with God, "Set a **watch**, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Here, the word is not used to describe a physical guard but is employed as a powerful metaphor. The request is for divine help in controlling one's speech, asking the LORD `{{H3068}}` to place a vigilant guard over the words that are spoken. The imagery powerfully conveys a desire for self-restraint and wisdom in communication.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words found in its immediate context help illuminate the meaning of **shomrâh**:
* `{{H7896}}` **shîyth**: This root word means **to place** or **set**. It is the action verb in the prayer, where the psalmist asks God to "**set** a watch" [[Psalms 141:3]], indicating that this guard is something established by divine appointment.
* `{{H5341}}` **nâtsar**: Meaning **to guard** or **keep**, this word is used in the second half of the same verse: "**keep** the door of my lips" [[Psalms 141:3]]. This parallel verb reinforces the theme of protection and preservation, often applied to guarding one's heart [[Proverbs 4:23]] or mouth [[Proverbs 13:3]].
* `{{H1817}}` **deleth**: This word for **door** is used in a parallel metaphor to `{{H8108}}`. The request to "keep the **door** of my lips" [[Psalms 141:3]] strengthens the image of the mouth as a gateway that must be carefully managed.
* `{{H8193}}` **sâphâh**: Defined as **lip** or **speech**, this is what the **watch** is meant to guard. The Bible frequently emphasizes the power of the **lips** for both good and evil, as seen in the warning that he who opens his **lips** wide may find destruction [[Proverbs 13:3]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H8108}}` is concentrated in its single, poignant usage. It highlights several key principles:
* **Guarding Speech:** The primary theme is the critical importance of governing one's tongue. The use of a term like **watch** implies that words have power and that unguarded speech is a spiritual danger.
* **Divine Dependence:** The prayer is directed to the LORD `{{H3068}}`, showing that the ability to control one's speech is not merely a matter of human willpower but a spiritual discipline that requires God's active help [[Psalms 141:3]].
* **Inner Vigilance:** The metaphor of setting a **watch** over the mouth points to a broader spiritual concept of watchfulness. It connects to the idea of guarding one's heart, as the mouth speaks from what fills the heart [[Proverbs 4:23]].
### Summary
In summary, while `{{H8108}}` **shomrâh** is one of the rarest words in the biblical lexicon, its singular appearance in [[Psalms 141:3]] offers a profound and memorable lesson. It transforms the common concept of a guard into a spiritual metaphor for the self-control and wisdom required in speech. The word serves as a concise yet powerful reminder of the need for divine assistance in governing the tongue, illustrating how even one verse can provide a rich foundation for theological reflection.
TRV