I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress. O my StrengthThe phrase "O my Strength" is a direct address to God, acknowledging Him as the source of power and might. In Hebrew, the word for "strength" is "עֹז" (oz), which conveys not only physical power but also the strength of character and moral fortitude. This term is often used in the Psalms to describe God's ability to protect and sustain His people. Historically, the Israelites frequently found themselves in situations where they were outnumbered or outmatched by their enemies, and they relied on God's strength to deliver them. This phrase is a reminder for believers to depend on God's power rather than their own, recognizing that true strength comes from Him. I will keep watch for You
The act of keeping watch implies vigilance and anticipation. In the Hebrew context, the word "watch" (שָׁמַר, shamar) means to guard, protect, or observe carefully. This reflects a posture of active waiting and readiness, akin to a watchman on the city walls looking out for signs of danger or the arrival of a messenger. Spiritually, this phrase encourages believers to remain alert and expectant for God's intervention in their lives. It suggests a relationship of trust and hope, where one is constantly looking to God for guidance and deliverance. for You, O God
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between the psalmist and God. The use of "O God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) is a reverent acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and divinity. Elohim is a plural form, which in the Hebrew language often denotes majesty and fullness of power. It is a reminder of God's supreme authority over all creation. The psalmist's direct address to God highlights the intimacy and personal nature of their faith, encouraging believers to approach God with both reverence and familiarity. are my fortress
The imagery of a fortress (מִשְׂגָּב, misgab) conveys a place of safety, refuge, and protection. In ancient times, a fortress was a stronghold that provided security against enemies. This metaphor is used throughout the Psalms to describe God's protective nature. For the believer, God is a spiritual stronghold, offering protection from the trials and tribulations of life. This phrase reassures Christians that in times of trouble, they can find safety and peace in God's presence, much like a fortress shields its inhabitants from external threats. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of the psalm, who is seeking God's protection from his enemies. This psalm is traditionally attributed to David during a time when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. 2. GodReferred to as "my strength" and "my fortress," highlighting His role as a protector and source of power for David. 3. EnemiesThe adversaries of David, likely Saul's men, who are seeking to harm him. They represent the forces of evil and opposition in the life of a believer. 4. FortressA metaphor for God's protection and refuge, emphasizing His ability to shield and defend His people. 5. WatchThe act of vigilance and expectation, indicating David's trust and reliance on God for deliverance. Teaching Points God as Our StrengthRecognize that true strength comes from God, not from our own abilities or resources. In times of trouble, rely on God's power to sustain and protect you. Vigilance in FaithLike David, maintain a posture of watchfulness and expectation for God's intervention in your life. Cultivate a prayerful attitude, staying alert to God's presence and guidance. God as Our FortressTrust in God's protection and refuge, especially when facing adversities or spiritual battles. Find peace and security in knowing that God is your stronghold against any threat. Dependence on GodDevelop a habit of turning to God first in times of need, rather than relying on human solutions. Strengthen your faith by remembering past instances of God's faithfulness and deliverance. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God as your "fortress" change the way you approach challenges in your life? 2. In what ways can you "keep watch" for God's presence and action in your daily routine? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's strength in your life. How did it impact your faith journey? 4. How can the imagery of God as a fortress encourage you in your current circumstances? 5. What practical steps can you take to rely more on God's strength and less on your own abilities, especially in difficult situations? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 18:2This verse also refers to God as a fortress, rock, and deliverer, reinforcing the theme of God as a protective refuge. Proverbs 18:10The name of the Lord is described as a strong tower, where the righteous can run and find safety, paralleling the idea of God as a fortress. Ephesians 6:10-18The armor of God passage, which emphasizes the strength and protection believers have in God, similar to the imagery of God as a fortress. People David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Defence, Defense, Fortress, Heed, Hope, Kindness, O, Oh, Praises, Sing, Strength, Strong, Stronghold, Tower, Wait, WatchDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 59:9 1240 God, the Rock
5316 fortress
8493 watchfulness, believers Psalm 59:9-10 1205 God, titles of Library Waiting and Singing
'Because of his strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my defence.... 17. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.'--PSALM lix. 9, 17. There is an obvious correspondence between these two verses even as they stand in our translation, and still more obviously in the Hebrew. You observe that in the former verse the words 'because of' are a supplement inserted by our translators, because they did not exactly know what to make of the bare words as they …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureOf Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Wherefore this do Ye, virgins of God, this do Ye...
53. Wherefore this do ye, virgins of God, this do ye: follow ye the Lamb, whithersoever He shall have gone. But first come unto Him, Whom ye are to follow, and learn, in that He is meek and lowly of heart. Come ye in lowly wise unto the Lowly, if ye love: and depart not from Him, lest ye fall. For whoso fears to depart from Him asks and says, "Let there not come to me foot of pride." [2214] Go on in the way of loftiness with the foot of lowliness; Himself lifteth up such as follow in lowly wise, …
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity. St. Malachy Becomes Bishop of Connor; He Builds the Monastery of iveragh.
16. (10). At that time an episcopal see was vacant,[321] and had long been vacant, because Malachy would not assent: for they had elected him to it.[322] But they persisted, and at length he yielded when their entreaties were enforced by the command of his teacher,[323] together with that of the metropolitan.[324] It was when he was just entering the thirtieth year of his age,[325] that he was consecrated bishop and brought to Connor; for that was the name of the city through ignorance of Irish ecclesiastical …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Whence Also the Just of Old, Before the Incarnation of the Word...
18. Whence also the just of old, before the Incarnation of the Word, in this faith of Christ, and in this true righteousness, (which thing Christ is unto us,) were justified; believing this to come which we believe come: and they themselves by grace were saved through faith, not of themselves, but by the gift of God, not of works, lest haply they should be lifted up. [2679] For their good works did not come before God's mercy, but followed it. For to them was it said, and by them written, long ere …
St. Augustine—On Patience Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
OR, THE THRONE OF GRACE ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The churches of Christ are very much indebted to the Rev. Charles Doe, for the preservation and publishing of this treatise. It formed one of the ten excellent manuscripts left by Bunyan at his decease, prepared for the press. Having treated on the nature of prayer in his searching work on 'praying with the spirit and with the understanding also,' in which he proves from the sacred scriptures that prayer cannot be merely read or said, but must …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire Until the Collapse of the Western Empire and the First Schism Between the East and the West, or Until About A. D. 500
In the second period of the history of the Church under the Christian Empire, the Church, although existing in two divisions of the Empire and experiencing very different political fortunes, may still be regarded as forming a whole. The theological controversies distracting the Church, although different in the two halves of the Graeco-Roman world, were felt to some extent in both divisions of the Empire and not merely in the one in which they were principally fought out; and in the condemnation …
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 59:9 NIVPsalm 59:9 NLTPsalm 59:9 ESVPsalm 59:9 NASBPsalm 59:9 KJV
Psalm 59:9 Commentaries
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