Psalm 31 2

Psalm 31:2 kjv

Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

Psalm 31:2 nkjv

Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me.

Psalm 31:2 niv

Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

Psalm 31:2 esv

Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

Psalm 31:2 nlt

Turn your ear to listen to me;
rescue me quickly.
Be my rock of protection,
a fortress where I will be safe.

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 2 Meaning

Psalm 31:2 conveys a profound and urgent plea from a believer in distress, King David, to God. It expresses a desperate need for immediate divine attention and swift intervention. The psalmist implores God to listen intently to his cry and to deliver him without delay. Furthermore, he declares his unwavering reliance on God as his sole source of impregnable safety and protection, viewing Him as an unshakeable "rock of refuge" and an impenetrable "strong fortress" from all dangers, physical or spiritual. This verse is a concise declaration of dependence, faith, and the fervent desire for God's saving power.

Psalm 31 2 Context

Psalm 31 is a rich lament psalm, transitioning from desperate prayer to steadfast trust. David, the psalmist, is portrayed as experiencing intense personal anguish and widespread persecution. The opening verses establish his immediate and urgent plea for God's intervention (v. 1-2). This precedes his detailed account of suffering, which includes feeling isolated, despised, consumed by grief, and slandered by foes (v. 9-13). Despite this deep distress, the psalm moves towards a profound declaration of trust in God's unfailing love and sovereign power (v. 14-24). Verse 2, therefore, sets the tone for a prayer born of desperation but rooted in the conviction of God's character as the ultimate rescuer and protector. Historically, David often faced life-threatening situations, whether fleeing from King Saul, battling Philistines, or enduring betrayals within his own court. This verse reflects the specific vulnerability of one pursued, seeking immediate and ultimate sanctuary only found in God, as opposed to relying on human fortifications or military strength.

Psalm 31 2 Word analysis

• Incline Your ear to me: This is the Hebrew phrase הַט אָזְנְךָ אֵלַי (hat ozn'kha elai), an anthropomorphism depicting God taking a physical posture of attentive listening. It implies not just hearing sound, but an active leaning in, indicating deep interest, empathy, and readiness to respond. It reflects an intimate and personal plea, acknowledging God's care.
• rescue me quickly: The Hebrew uses the verb מַהֵר (maher, quickly, hastily) and הַצִּילֵנִי (hatzileini, rescue, deliver, pull out). The immediacy ("quickly") emphasizes the urgency of the psalmist's predicament, suggesting a life-threatening or rapidly deteriorating situation. It highlights the desperation and the understanding that delays could be catastrophic.
• be to me: This simple phrase, a form of hayah (to be, become), conveys a direct, personal appeal for God's very nature and presence to manifest as his requested protection. It's not just "send protection" but "You be my protection."
• a rock of refuge: צוּר מָעוֹז (tsur ma'oz). Tsur means a crag, cliff, or strong, towering rock, often metaphorically used for God's steadfastness and immutability. Ma'oz means a stronghold, refuge, or defense. Together, they form an image of a natural, impregnable stronghold—a place of absolute security and stability that cannot be moved or overcome by any external force, providing an ultimate shelter from harm. This imagery is a polemic against reliance on fleeting human fortresses or strength.
• a strong fortress: בֵּית מְצוּדוֹת (beit metsudot). Beit means house or dwelling, while metsudot is the plural of metsudah, meaning a fortress, castle, or stronghold. The plural implies ultimate strength and multiple layers of defense, suggesting a thoroughly protected, unassailable dwelling. This human-constructed imagery complements the natural "rock" imagery, showcasing God's multifaceted protective capabilities, capable of defending against any threat.
• to save me: לְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי (le-hoshi'eini). Derived from yasha, meaning to save, deliver, liberate, or help. It encapsulates a holistic deliverance from all present dangers and ensures well-being. It is the ultimate purpose of God's attentiveness, swift action, and provision of refuge.

Psalm 31 2 Bonus section

The choice of imagery in this verse – from God "inclining His ear" (an act of close listening) to being a "rock of refuge" and "strong fortress" (symbols of absolute, unmoving security) – progressively deepens the psalmist's expression of dependence. It moves from God's personal engagement to His unshakeable character and then to His strategic, all-encompassing protection. This progression illustrates a comprehensive understanding of God's protective nature. The imperatives "Incline," "rescue," and "be" are not presumptuous commands but fervent petitions rooted in a deep knowledge of God's covenantal faithfulness. This structure also reflects the order of urgent need: first, to be heard; second, to be acted upon; and finally, to be safely encompassed by divine strength.

Psalm 31 2 Commentary

Psalm 31:2 is a profound testament to the immediacy and completeness of a believer's reliance on God during acute distress. It is not a detached, formal prayer but a heartfelt, urgent plea. The petition "Incline Your ear to me" paints an intimate picture of God bending down, listening closely, demonstrating His personal attentiveness to His suffering children, a stark contrast to deaf idols. The subsequent cry, "rescue me quickly," underscores the pressing danger David faced, demanding swift, divine intervention that only an omnipotent God can provide without delay. The double imagery of "a rock of refuge, a strong fortress" powerfully depicts God as an unshakeable, impregnable source of security. The "rock" emphasizes His immutability and steadfastness, a natural, eternal defense against the storms of life. The "fortress" speaks to His deliberate, comprehensive, and unconquerable defense. Both images assure the psalmist of a safe haven from overwhelming foes or circumstances. Ultimately, the singular purpose "to save me" encompasses all forms of salvation – spiritual, emotional, and physical – revealing God as the ultimate deliverer from all present and future evils. This verse calls believers to surrender their desperate pleas to God, knowing He is both attentive and fully capable of delivering them, transforming their peril into secure trust.