Psalms 71:3

3 Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

Psalms 71:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 71:3

Be thou my strong habitation
This is very appropiately said, when David was driven out of his dwelling place, and palace at Jerusalem, by his son, as Kimchi observes. When God's people have no certain dwelling place, which is sometimes their case, they always find one in the Lord; particularly in his heart's love; for he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, ( 1 John 4:16 ) ; and a strong habitation he is: wherefore he is called a strong rock, a strong hold, a strong tower; he is as a wall of fire around his people, a munition of rocks; his salvation is as walls and bulwarks, and his power as a garrison in which they are kept. The psalmist adds,

whereunto I may continually resort;
or "may go into daily" F18, in times of danger and distress, for safety; the name of the Lord being a strong tower, whither the righteous run, and are safe, ( Proverbs 18:10 ) ; and his perfections, his power, faithfulness, lovingkindness, and unchangeableness, being as so many secret chambers, where they may enter into, and hide themselves, till calamities are over, ( Psalms 57:1 ) ( Isaiah 26:20 ) ; and every day indeed for food, for comfort, for refreshment and pleasure, through communion with him; and God in Christ is always to be come at: Christ is the way of access and acceptance; and through his blood, sacrifice, and righteousness, the believer has boldness to enter into the holiest of all, and go up to the seat of God, the throne of his grace; and even to enter into him himself, who has been the dwelling place of his people in all generations, ( Psalms 90:1 ) ;

thou hast given commandment to save me;
either to the ministering angels, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret it, comparing it with ( Psalms 91:11 ) ; or rather to his Son, in the council and covenant of grace and peace; when he enjoined him the salvation of his people, which he readily agreed to, and with which David was acquainted, ( Psalms 40:7 Psalms 40:8 ) ; of this command our Lord speaks, ( John 10:18 ) ( 14:31 ) ; and to which he was obedient, ( Philippians 2:8 ) ; it may respect David's salvation from present trouble, and his assurance of it, believing that the Lord had determined it, and by his mighty power would effect it; see ( Psalms 44:4 ) ;

for thou [art] my rock and my fortress;
see ( Psalms 18:2 ) ( 31:3 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F18 (dymt awbl) "ut ingrediar jugiter", Pagninus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Psalms 71:3 In-Context

1 In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me.
3 Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Gk Compare 31.3: Heb [to come continually you have commanded]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.