Psalms 31:2

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

הַטֵּ֤ה Bow down H5186
הַטֵּ֤ה Bow down
Strong's: H5186
Word #: 1 of 12
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֵלַ֨י׀ H413
אֵלַ֨י׀
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 12
near, with or among; often in general, to
אָזְנְךָ֮ thine ear H241
אָזְנְךָ֮ thine ear
Strong's: H241
Word #: 3 of 12
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
מְהֵרָ֪ה me speedily H4120
מְהֵרָ֪ה me speedily
Strong's: H4120
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly
הַצִּ֫ילֵ֥נִי to me deliver H5337
הַצִּ֫ילֵ֥נִי to me deliver
Strong's: H5337
Word #: 5 of 12
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
הֱיֵ֤ה H1961
הֱיֵ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 6 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִ֨י׀ H0
לִ֨י׀
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 12
לְֽצוּר rock H6697
לְֽצוּר rock
Strong's: H6697
Word #: 8 of 12
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
מָ֭עוֹז be thou my strong H4581
מָ֭עוֹז be thou my strong
Strong's: H4581
Word #: 9 of 12
a fortified place; figuratively, a defense
לְבֵ֥ית for an house H1004
לְבֵ֥ית for an house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 10 of 12
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מְצוּד֗וֹת of defence H4686
מְצוּד֗וֹת of defence
Strong's: H4686
Word #: 11 of 12
a fastness
לְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי׃ to save H3467
לְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי׃ to save
Strong's: H3467
Word #: 12 of 12
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

Analysis & Commentary

The plea 'Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me' uses imagery of God stooping to listen and providing secure refuge. 'Bow down thine ear' depicts God's condescension—He stoops to hear human cries. 'Strong rock' and 'house of defence' emphasize impregnable security. Reformed theology sees divine accommodation—God graciously attends to His creatures despite infinite distance. He becomes our refuge through covenant relationship.

Historical Context

David literally hid in rocky fortresses while fleeing Saul (1 Sam. 23:29). These physical refuges were temporary; God was the ultimate rock. The metaphor of God as fortress sustained Israel through military threats.

Questions for Reflection