Psalm 18:2
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalms 18:2
Our Rock
The word rock appears around 24 times in the book of Psalms only. When most people think about God we often picture him as a shepherd, a father, love etc. but not as “our rock”. “The Lord is My Rock” as written by David, equates God as our source of strength in times of distress and danger. He also is the source of all good things. Just like how the rock in the wilderness was a miraculous source of water for the children of Israel God is a source of life and our miraculous establishment. Jesus also calls those that build their houses or their life on Him as our rock “wise builders” and those who don’t “foolish builders” (Matthew 7:24-27).
Our Fortress
In a world where there is so much evil lurking around every corner, it doesn’t matter what mountain lies ahead of you. For many it’s the uncertain future; relationships, careers, fears of the unknown, the mundane, it doesn’t matter what the attack is. How refreshing to know that God is our fortress. In military science, a fortress represents any work erected to strengthen a position against attack. God becomes our personal fortress when we run to him. Strong, locked in, with surrounding guards, watchtowers, is what comes to mind when I picture it. The Lord will deliver you and make a way out just as the enemies get in.
Our Shield
And even when it seems that the enemy has gotten in and there seems to be chaos in your life, He is our shield and buckler. God is a shield to all those who trust Him. Instead of striving to protect yourself and all that you hold dear, trust God. He will cover your head and your heart and you will not be slain by the fiery darts of your enemies. God has a miraculous way of shielding us such that our enemies have no idea how to get to us. Even though King Saul was pursuing David at one point we have both of them in the same cave and King Saul had not even realised it (1 Samuel 24:31).
Our Salvation
The King James Version calls God in Psalms 18:2 as our “horn” of salvation. The horns are the most significant part of the body of an animal in relation to its safety. They are also the most durable. Similarly, God is eternally our salvation. Even when we are entangled by cords of destruction or we walk through the valley of the shadow of death or we have lost hope completely when we call upon the name of the Lord we will be saved. God is the only stronghold from which we can discern and discover direction for our lives no matter how far off we are. God is our salvation and like a rock, He will never be moved neither shall all who stand on Him. There is no firmer foundation or surer footing than that on which we can be saved (Acts 4:12)
King James Version (KJV)
“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
New International Version (NIV)
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
New American Bible (NASB)
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my savior, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“The Lord is my fort where I can enter and be safe; no one can follow me in and slay me. He is a rugged mountain where I hide; he is my Savior, a rock where none can reach me, and a tower of safety. He is my shield. He is like the strong horn of a mighty fighting bull”