Psalm 59 17

Psalm 59:17 kjv

Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

Psalm 59:17 nkjv

To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy.

Psalm 59:17 niv

You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Psalm 59:17 esv

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

Psalm 59:17 nlt

O my Strength, to you I sing praises,
for you, O God, are my refuge,
the God who shows me unfailing love.

Psalm 59 verses

Psalm 59 17 Meaning

Psalm 59:17 is a resolute declaration of faith and an anticipated vow of praise from David. Despite facing immediate danger and fierce adversaries, he affirms his unwavering intent to celebrate God's immense strength and steadfast love. He commits to proclaim this praise "in the morning," symbolizing the hopeful dawn of divine deliverance from his current affliction. This future praise is founded on his past and present experience of God as his impregnable fortress and secure haven during times of intense trouble. It showcases a confident expectation of salvation rooted in God's immutable character and proven faithfulness.

Psalm 59 17 Context

Psalm 59 is a poignant lament psalm from David, described in its superscription as "A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men, and they watched the house in order to kill him" (referencing 1 Sam 19:11). The psalm details David's perilous situation, with enemies lying in wait like snarling dogs to take his life (vv. 1-7, 14-15). He cries out to God for deliverance, seeking divine judgment against his adversaries (vv. 8-13). The shift from intense petition and complaint to resolute praise in verse 17 is characteristic of many lament psalms, demonstrating a foundational trust in God even before full deliverance is realized. This final verse stands as a powerful declaration of assured faith amidst immediate tribulation, asserting God's attributes of power and steadfast love as the secure basis for his salvation, contrasting the ephemeral might of his human foes with the eternal strength of Yahweh. The historical context reveals David's complete reliance on God in the face of absolute vulnerability and persecution.

Psalm 59 17 Word analysis

• But: Hebrew w' (וְ). This conjunction marks a strong contrast, shifting the focus from the description of the enemies' malevolence and the cry for judgment (vv. 1-16) to David's personal declaration of trust and future praise. It signifies a profound shift in tone and perspective, characteristic of lament psalms moving towards confident hope.
• I will sing: Hebrew ʾāšîrāh (אָשִׁירָה), a Qal imperfect first common singular verb. It expresses a resolute, active intention and commitment to praise God. It's not a conditional statement but a vow, reflecting an established faith that anticipates divine deliverance. This action of singing is a spontaneous expression of joy and worship.
• of thy power: Hebrew ʿuḏeḵā (עֻזְּךָ), meaning "your strength, might, divine power." This refers to God's inherent omnipotence and capacity to act, especially in judgment against foes and in providing salvation. It encompasses God's strong arm, effective for defense and deliverance. David acknowledges God's unique attribute as the source of all might, directly contrasting the limited human power of Saul and his men.
• yea: Hebrew wĕ- (וְ), again a simple conjunction, here serving to intensify or add to the preceding phrase. It connects the "singing of power" to the "singing of mercy," indicating that both attributes are integral to God's character and deserving of praise.
• I will sing aloud: Hebrew ʾărônnēnnāh (אֲרוֹנֵנָּה), a Pilpel imperfect first common singular of rānan (רָנַן). This verb implies a joyful, ringing, or even triumphant cry of praise. It signifies not just an internal meditation but an audible, public declaration of adoration. The "Pilpel" stem intensifies the action, denoting fervent and unrestrained acclamation.
• of thy mercy: Hebrew ḥasd̠eḵā (חַסְדֶּךָ), referring to God's "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," "covenant faithfulness," or "loyal love." This is a foundational Hebrew theological term (ḥesed) denoting God's covenant loyalty, enduring goodness, and unmerited favor. It goes beyond mere pity to describe a faithful commitment rooted in a relationship. David is not merely trusting in God's power, but specifically in His loving and loyal faithfulness towards His people, despite their troubles.
• in the morning: Hebrew ba·bō·qeṛ (בַבֹּקֶר), literally "in the morning." This temporal phrase is deeply significant. The "morning" often symbolizes the arrival of light after darkness, deliverance after a night of struggle (Psa 30:5, Psa 46:5, Psa 143:8). It is a time for renewed mercies (Lam 3:22-23) and God's fresh intervention, signaling the dawn of salvation after the long, dark "night" of David's tribulation. It embodies hope and the expectation of vindication.
• for: Hebrew kî (כִּי), meaning "because" or "for." This particle introduces the reason or basis for David's declared praise. It highlights that his commitment to sing is not blind optimism but is firmly grounded in his prior experience and understanding of who God is and what God has done.
• thou hast been: Hebrew hāyîṯā (הָיִיתָ), a perfect verb "you were/have been." The use of the perfect tense signifies a completed action with ongoing results, pointing to God's reliable and consistent behavior in the past, extending into the present. This past faithfulness serves as the bedrock for his current trust and future praise.
• my defence: Hebrew miśgabbī (מִשְׂגַּבִּי), meaning "my high tower," "my fortress," "my stronghold." This term (miśgāb) denotes an elevated, secure, and inaccessible place, such as a mountain fortress, where one is safe from enemies. It powerfully conveys God as an insurmountable and impenetrable refuge, offering ultimate security.
• and refuge: Hebrew mānôs (מָנוֹס), meaning "a place of escape," "asylum," "shelter." This word emphasizes God as the safe haven one flees to for protection from immediate danger. While miśgāb highlights an impenetrable stronghold, mānôs emphasizes a secure hiding place. Together, they create a comprehensive picture of divine protection.
• in the day of my trouble: Hebrew bə·yō·w͡m ṣā·rāṯî (בְּיוֹם צָרָתִי), literally "in the day of my distress/trouble." This specifies the context of David's experience. It’s not in a time of ease, but precisely when he was most distressed and endangered that God proved Himself to be his ultimate protector. This affirms that God's intervention is most evident and relied upon during periods of intense difficulty.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But I will sing...yea, I will sing aloud": This pairing emphasizes the deliberate, intensified nature of David's praise. The shift (but) signifies a definitive turn from despair to worship. The repetition and intensification (sing to sing aloud) underscore a deep, internal conviction that compels outward expression, anticipating triumph even in adversity.
• "of thy power...of thy mercy": This juxtaposes God's strength and His steadfast love. David's praise encompasses both God's ability (power) and His character (mercy/hesed). This demonstrates a mature understanding that God's intervention is not merely powerful but also driven by His relational faithfulness, binding these two core divine attributes as reasons for worship.
• "my defence and refuge": These two terms reinforce God's role as a protector, each contributing a slightly different nuance. "Defence" (miśgāb) speaks of an impregnable fortress, an elevated position of safety. "Refuge" (mānôs) speaks of a place of flight, a shelter from immediate danger. Combined, they portray God as the ultimate, all-encompassing haven from all forms of threat.

Psalm 59 17 Bonus section

The Miktam title of Psalm 59 is significant. While its precise meaning is debated, common interpretations suggest it refers to a "golden" psalm or a deeply personal, expiatory prayer. In this context, it underscores the personal and heartfelt nature of David's desperate plea and subsequent profound declaration of faith. The Miktam psalms often display a shift from acute distress to settled trust and confidence, as seen dramatically in Psalm 59:17.

Furthermore, the declaration "I will sing" points to a profound act of spiritual warfare. While Saul's men are external threats, David counters their intimidation not with worldly strength, but with spiritual praise. This public and fervent commitment to worship disarms the enemy's psychological attack and aligns David's heart with God's victory. It reflects a core principle that praise is a potent weapon against spiritual oppression and discouragement, a manifestation of walking by faith and not by sight. The shift from outward threats to an internal resolution of praise is a common thread in David's life and a profound model for believers.

Psalm 59 17 Commentary

Psalm 59:17 concludes a psalm of fervent lament with a soaring declaration of determined praise. David, under mortal threat from King Saul, moves from vivid descriptions of his enemies' depravity and pleas for God's judgment to a deeply personal vow of worship. This verse encapsulates a profound theological truth: the ultimate basis for hope and praise in tribulation is the immutable character of God Himself. David vows to sing of God's "power" (oz), His raw strength and capability to overcome any foe, and "mercy" (ḥesed), His steadfast, loyal love, which assures His people of His covenant faithfulness.

The commitment to sing "in the morning" carries immense symbolic weight. The morning signifies the breaking of a new day, the end of a long, dark night of trial. It anticipates God's timely and certain deliverance, aligning with the biblical theme that weeping may last for a night, but joy comes with the dawn. This is not merely an expression of hope after salvation, but a confident pledge of praise in expectation of it, affirming faith even before full vindication.

God is remembered as "my defence" (miśgāb)—a high, inaccessible fortress—and "refuge" (mānôs)—a secure place of escape. These vivid metaphors highlight God's unassailable protection. David grounds his future praise in God's past reliability: "thou hast been" his defense and refuge "in the day of my trouble." This means that God's proven faithfulness during previous hardships gives David the assurance that He will continue to protect, validating his faith even amidst present peril. It encourages believers that past experiences of God's grace and deliverance build a reservoir of trust for current and future trials. It’s a call to proactive worship, recognizing God’s unchanging nature as our shield even when circumstances remain difficult.

Practical usage:

• In times of distress, choose to declare God's character and past faithfulness rather than succumbing to despair.
• Start your day with deliberate praise for God's power and lovingkindness, trusting in His daily mercies.
• Remember that God’s nature (His power and steadfast love) is the solid ground for your hope and worship, not merely your changing circumstances.