Psalms 89:26

Authorized King James Version

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He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Original Language Analysis

ה֣וּא H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 1 of 7
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יִ֭קְרָאֵנִי He shall cry H7121
יִ֭קְרָאֵנִי He shall cry
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 2 of 7
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אָ֣בִי unto me Thou art my father H1
אָ֣בִי unto me Thou art my father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 3 of 7
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אָ֑תָּה H859
אָ֑תָּה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 4 of 7
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
אֵ֝לִ֗י my God H410
אֵ֝לִ֗י my God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 5 of 7
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
וְצ֣וּר and the rock H6697
וְצ֣וּר and the rock
Strong's: H6697
Word #: 6 of 7
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
יְשׁוּעָתִֽי׃ of my salvation H3444
יְשׁוּעָתִֽי׃ of my salvation
Strong's: H3444
Word #: 7 of 7
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

Analysis & Commentary

He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. This verse reveals the intimate covenant relationship between God and the Davidic king, expressed through three titles: Father, God, and Rock. He shall cry unto me (hûʾ yiq-rāʾēnî, הוּא יִקְרָאֵנִי) uses qārāʾ (קָרָא), meaning to call out, proclaim, invoke—indicating both prayer and public declaration. This crying out suggests dependence and relationship, not mere formality.

Thou art my father (ʾāḇî ʾāt-tāh, אָבִי אָתָּה) is revolutionary—God as Father to the king. While common in Near Eastern royal ideology, in Israel this carried unique covenant meaning. God adopted the Davidic king as His son (2 Samuel 7:14, Psalm 2:7), creating a father-son relationship. My God (ʾēlî, אֵלִי) expresses personal faith and covenant loyalty. The rock of my salvation (wə-ṣûr yə-šûʿāṯî, וְצוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי) employs ṣûr (צוּר), a massive cliff or bedrock—unchanging, immovable, secure foundation. Combined with yəšûʿāh (יְשׁוּעָה, "salvation"), this declares God as the unshakeable source of deliverance.

These titles find ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who uniquely calls God "My Father" (John 20:17), cries "My God, my God" (Matthew 27:46), and is Himself the Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4). The Father-Son relationship, implied in David's covenant, is revealed fully in Christ's divine sonship.

Historical Context

David frequently called upon God as his rock and refuge (2 Samuel 22:2-3, 47; Psalm 18:2). The father-son language established in 2 Samuel 7:14 ('I will be his father, and he shall be my son') shaped Israelite royal theology. Yet no Davidic king perfectly embodied this relationship until Jesus, whom the Father declared 'my beloved Son' (Matthew 3:17), who taught His disciples to pray 'Our Father' (Matthew 6:9), and who perfectly trusted God as His rock even unto death.

Questions for Reflection