en_tn_condensed/psa/108/008.md

Ephraim also is my helmet

God speaks of the tribe of Ephraim as if it were his army. The helmet symbolizes equipment for war. Alternate translation: "Ephraim is like a helmet I have chosen" or "The tribe of Ephraim is my army" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)

helmet

a hard hat that soldiers wear to protect their heads from injury

Judah is my scepter

God chose men from the tribe of Judah to be the kings of his people, and he speaks of that tribe as if it were his scepter. Alternate translation: "The tribe of Judah is like my scepter" or "Judah is the tribe through whom I rule my people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)