Psalm 59 9

Psalm 59:9 kjv

Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

Psalm 59:9 nkjv

I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.

Psalm 59:9 niv

You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,

Psalm 59:9 esv

O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.

Psalm 59:9 nlt

You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
for you, O God, are my fortress.

Psalm 59 verses

Psalm 59 9 Meaning

Psalm 59:9 is a powerful declaration of absolute trust and dependent reliance upon God in the face of grave danger. David, being actively pursued and surrounded by his enemies, looks exclusively to God as his singular source of strength, safety, and ultimate defense. He proclaims his intention to wait expectantly and watch for God's saving intervention, grounded in the unshakeable truth that God Himself is his impenetrable fortress and high tower.

Psalm 59 9 Context

Psalm 59 is a Michtam (a golden psalm) of David, indicated by its superscription, "when Saul sent men, and they watched the house to kill him." This refers to the event recorded in 1 Samuel 19:11-12, where King Saul, filled with jealousy and paranoia, attempted to assassinate David in his own home. The Psalm opens with David's urgent cry for deliverance from these bloodthirsty enemies who lurk around his house like dogs, seeking to devour him without cause. It is a desperate prayer for God's intervention, a plea for divine justice against his ruthless adversaries. Amidst this life-threatening encirclement, verse 9 serves as a pivot, shifting from his detailed lament and request for vengeance to an unwavering declaration of trust and hope in God as his sole rescuer.

Psalm 59 9 Word analysis

• To you: The Hebrew preposition "לְךָ" (lekha) indicates direction and exclusive dedication. It emphasizes that David's gaze and reliance are solely directed towards God, not on human strategies, allies, or his own might. This singular focus contrasts with the many "enemies" mentioned in the Psalm.

• O my Strength: The Hebrew term is "עֻזִּי" (ya'uzzi). "Uz" signifies strength, power, or might, particularly as an attribute of God. The possessive suffix "-i" (my) personalizes this, indicating David's intimate relationship with God as his personal source of might and fortitude. This implies God is the dynamic power that enables David to endure and ultimately triumph.

• I will watch / I will wait: The verb is "אֶשְׁמֹ֑רָה" (esh'morah), a first-person singular imperfect form of the Hebrew verb "שָׁמַר" (shamar), which means to watch, guard, keep, observe, or wait. Here, it conveys an active, expectant, and vigilant waiting. It is not passive resignation but an eager, persistent anticipation of God's action. David isn't just looking out for his enemies but looking up to God for rescue, indicating confidence in divine intervention. It can also carry a nuance of keeping allegiance or obeying, signifying his commitment to God while he waits.

• For: The Hebrew "כִּי" (ki) serves as a causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "for." It introduces the foundational reason for David's stance of trust and active waiting. His declaration of faith is not arbitrary but rooted in a theological truth about God's nature.

• God: The Hebrew term "אֱלֹהִים" (Elohim) is the generic, plural-of-majesty name for God, emphasizing His supreme power, authority, and divine nature. Its use here reinforces the idea of God as the ultimate and incomparable defender.

• is my defense / my high tower: The Hebrew noun "מִשְׂגַּבִּֽי" (mis'gabhi) also includes the possessive suffix "-i" (my). "Misgav" literally means a high place, a secure refuge, a lofty fortress, or a stronghold. It speaks of an inaccessible place of safety, providing ultimate security against any adversary. The imagery evokes a place of elevation where one is out of reach of danger. It highlights God's attribute as providing insurmountable protection and security, transcending any physical barrier or human defense.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "To you, O my Strength, I will watch": This phrase encapsulates a singular, focused dependence. "To you" sets the exclusive direction. "My Strength" identifies God as the personal source of power needed for resilience. "I will watch" describes the posture of active expectation, highlighting the vigilance and faith David maintains in his dire situation.
  • "For God is my defense": This segment provides the irrefutable theological foundation for David's hope and watchfulness. "For" clarifies the reason, "God" affirms the divine nature of his protector, and "my defense" describes God as the impenetrable refuge. This second clause offers the bedrock certainty that validates the commitment declared in the first.

Psalm 59 9 Bonus section

The choice of "ya'uzzi" (my strength) and "mis'gabhi" (my defense/high tower) demonstrates a profound understanding of God's attributes in a highly personal way. "Ya'uzzi" speaks of dynamic power that flows through the believer, enabling perseverance and effective action, aligning with later New Testament concepts of Christ as our strength (e.g., Phil 4:13). "Mis'gabhi," on the other hand, speaks of static, unassailable security around the believer. Together, they depict God as both the empowering presence within and the protective fortress without, making the believer both courageous and secure. This verse also contains an indirect polemic against human fortifications or alliances as ultimate sources of security. David’s situation was dire enough that human means would fail, compelling him to look beyond temporal solutions to the eternal power of God. His commitment to "watch" implies a spiritual discipline of maintaining vigilance, both in prayer and in keeping oneself ready for God’s action, contrasting passive resignation with active, faithful expectation.

Psalm 59 9 Commentary

Psalm 59:9 embodies a core biblical truth about finding security and strength solely in God, particularly when facing overwhelming threats. David, cornered and threatened with death by King Saul's assassins, models profound faith not by attempting self-rescue or seeking human alliances, but by looking vertically and exclusively to God. His declaration "To you, O my Strength, I will watch" is an act of deliberate spiritual discipline—it signifies fixing his gaze on God, actively expecting divine intervention, and acknowledging God as his personal empowerment. The shift from outward danger to inner assurance is anchored in the absolute truth of God's character: "For God is my defense." This is not just a wish but a statement of God's very nature and function for His trusting people—an impregnable, elevated refuge where all threats are nullified. The verse highlights that true defense is found not in physical fortifications but in the omnipotent presence of God Himself. It teaches that our posture in crisis should be one of active waiting and absolute reliance on the Lord, who, by His very nature, is our ultimate protector.

• Practical Examples:
  • When overwhelmed by a challenging circumstance (e.g., job loss, severe illness), intentionally shift focus from the problem to God, acknowledging Him as your "Strength" to endure and your "Defense" in providing for you.
  • In times of intense spiritual attack or opposition, "watch" by prayer and remaining alert in faith, knowing that God is your impregnable "defense" against the enemy.
  • Instead of immediately reacting to fear or uncertainty, consciously "wait" on God for His direction and timing, resting in His inherent nature as your high tower and secure place.