The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Read Chapter 18
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
3. "O Lord, My stay, and My refuge, and My deliverer" (ver. 2). O Lord, who hast stayed Me, because I sought refuge with Thee: and I sought refuge, because Thou hast delivered Me. "My God is My helper; and I will hope in Him." My God, who hast first afforded me the help of Thy call, that I might be able to hope in Thee. "My defender, and the horn of My salvation, and My redeemer." My defender, because I have not leant upon Myself, lifting up as it were the horn of pride against Thee; but have found Thee a horn indeed, that is, the sure height of salvation: and that I might find it, Thou redeemedst Me.
Firmament. Hebrew, "rock and my citadel, and my deliverer. My God, (or strong one) my rock. "St. Jerome, "my strong one. "The two words which are rendered "my rock "are salhi and metsudathi. (Haydock)
David frequently retired to such places for safety. The idea was beautiful and striking. Such a multiplicity of titles shows the gratitude (Calmet) and affection which David felt. (Calmet)
Here are nine, and we may add the three metaphorical Hebrew terms, "rock, citadel, and buckler. "Can we refuse to love One from whom we have received so many favours?
And in These words are most probably cited by St. Paul, (Hebrews ii. 13.) though they occur also in Isaias viii. 18.
Protector. Hebrew, "buckler. "(Berthier)
Horn. This title is given to Jesus Christ, Luke i. 69. It is an allusion to beasts which attack their opponents with their horns (Theodoret; Deuteronomy xxxiii. 17.) being an emblem of strength (Worthington) and glory. (Calmet)
And my (2 Kings) he lifteth me up and is my refuge;...
