To You, O my strength, I sing praises, for You, O God, are my fortress, my God of loving devotion. To You, O my strengthThe phrase "To You, O my strength" acknowledges God as the source of the psalmist's power and resilience. The Hebrew word for "strength" here is "עֹז" (oz), which conveys might, power, and refuge. This reflects a deep reliance on God, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of strength in times of trouble. Historically, this is a common theme in the Psalms, where the psalmist often turns to God as a refuge and source of empowerment against adversaries. I will sing praises
The act of singing praises is a response of worship and gratitude. The Hebrew root "זמר" (zamar) means to make music or sing, often with the accompaniment of instruments. This expression of worship is not just a duty but a joyful proclamation of God's goodness and faithfulness. In the context of ancient Israel, singing was a communal activity, often used in temple worship and celebrations, emphasizing the importance of collective praise. for God is my fortress
The term "fortress" is translated from the Hebrew "מִשְׂגָּב" (misgab), meaning a high place or stronghold. This imagery portrays God as a protective refuge, a place of safety amidst life's battles. Historically, fortresses were vital for protection against enemies, and this metaphor underscores God's role as a defender and protector of His people. It reassures believers of God's unwavering protection and strength. my God of loving devotion
The phrase "my God of loving devotion" highlights the personal and covenantal relationship between the psalmist and God. The Hebrew word "חֶסֶד" (chesed) is often translated as lovingkindness, mercy, or steadfast love. It signifies God's faithful, covenantal love towards His people. This term is rich in meaning, encompassing loyalty, kindness, and mercy, and is a central theme in the Old Testament, reflecting God's enduring commitment to His covenant with Israel. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 59, David wrote this psalm during a time of distress when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. David's reliance on God as his strength and fortress is a central theme. 2. SaulThe first king of Israel, who became envious of David and sought to kill him. This psalm reflects David's trust in God amidst Saul's pursuit. 3. GodReferred to as David's strength, fortress, and God of loving devotion. The psalm emphasizes God's protective and faithful nature. 4. FortressA metaphor for God's protection and strength. In ancient times, a fortress was a place of safety and defense against enemies. 5. Loving Devotion (Hebrew: "chesed")This term refers to God's steadfast love and mercy. It is a key attribute of God's character, highlighting His faithfulness and kindness. Teaching Points God as Our StrengthJust as David relied on God as his strength, we too can find our strength in God during times of trouble. He empowers us to face challenges with confidence. God as Our FortressIn a world full of uncertainties, God remains our unshakeable fortress. We can find refuge and safety in His presence. Praising God in All CircumstancesDavid's commitment to sing praises to God, even in distress, teaches us the importance of worship and gratitude regardless of our circumstances. Understanding God's Loving DevotionRecognizing God's "chesed" helps us trust in His unwavering love and faithfulness. This understanding can deepen our relationship with Him. Living with Confidence in God's ProtectionKnowing that God is our fortress allows us to live with peace and assurance, even when facing adversities. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God as your strength and fortress change the way you approach challenges in your life? 2. In what ways can you incorporate praise into your daily routine, especially during difficult times? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's "chesed" (loving devotion). How did it impact your faith journey? 4. How can the metaphor of God as a fortress provide comfort and assurance in today's world? 5. What other biblical figures relied on God as their strength and fortress, and what can we learn from their experiences? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 18:2This verse also describes God as a rock, fortress, and deliverer, reinforcing the theme of God as a protector. 2 Samuel 22:3David again refers to God as his rock and fortress, showing consistency in his reliance on God throughout his life. Exodus 15:2The song of Moses praises God as strength and salvation, similar to David's expression of trust and praise. People David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics 60, Aram-zobah, Chief, David, Defence, Defense, Edom, Eduth, Fortress, Joab, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Mercy, Michtam, Musician, O, Praise, Praises, Psalm, Psalms, Returned, Salt, Shows, Shushan, Sing, Smote, Song, Steadfast, Strength, Stronghold, Strove, Teach, Thousand, Tower, Twelve, ValleyDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 59:17 1205 God, titles of Psalm 59:16-17 1240 God, the Rock
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7960 singing 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 59:17 NIVPsalm 59:17 NLTPsalm 59:17 ESVPsalm 59:17 NASBPsalm 59:17 KJV
Psalm 59:17 Commentaries
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