A Fortress of Refuge: Understanding Psalm 59:17

Today's verse from Logos is Psalm 59:17. Psalm 59 is an intriguing and powerful passage of Scripture that showcases the depth of trust and reliance the psalmist has on the Lord. The verse we will be focusing on in this post is Psalm 59:17 (ESV), which reads:

"For you are my strength, I will sing praises to you; for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love."

To properly understand this verse, let us first delve into the context and setting of the entire psalm and then explore what Psalm 59:17 can teach the Christian about God's character. Psalm 59 was written by David, a man after God's own heart, who later became the King of Israel. The heading of the psalm indicates that it was written when Saul, the then-King of Israel, sent men to David's house to watch him and kill him (1 Samuel 19:11-17). This was a tumultuous period in David's life, as he was being pursued by his enemies and faced constant threats to his life.

The entire psalm combines two types of literary expressions: lament and praise. The psalmist cries to God for deliverance from his enemies and vindication from their false accusations. Amid his outcry, David shifts his focus to praise, acknowledging God's power and steadfast love.

The verse under consideration, Psalm 59:17, is a beautiful expression of David's trust in the Lord. This verse highlights three attributes of God that the Christian can draw encouragement from:

1. God as Strength: David acknowledges God as his source of strength. In the face of adversity, the believer must recognize that their ability to endure and overcome does not come from their own power but from God. The Apostle Paul also echoes this sentiment when he says, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
2. God as a Fortress: David refers to God as his fortress, a place of protection, refuge, and security. This imagery is also found in other psalms, such as Psalm 18:2 and Psalm 31:3. As Christians, we can take comfort in knowing that we have a sure and steadfast refuge in God, who shields and defends us in times of trouble.
3. God as the One Who Shows Steadfast Love: The Hebrew term for steadfast love is חֶ֫סֶד ("hesed")¹, which conveys the idea of God's unfailing love, mercy, and loyalty towards His people. This love is not based on human merit or performance but solely on the character of God. This attribute of God provides assurance for the believer, knowing they are loved unconditionally, even amidst their struggles and weaknesses.

Psalm 59:17 serves as a potent reminder to the Christian of God's character as our Strength, Fortress, and the One who shows steadfast love. In times of distress or adversity, may we, like David, place our trust in the Lord and praise Him, acknowledging His unfailing love and unwavering protection.

¹ I have not studied Hebrew, this is from my basic understanding of the BDB and Logos software. Please reach out to me if I am wrong here.