King James Version
What Does Psalms 59:17 Mean?
“Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.”
Psalms 59:17 · KJV
Context
15
Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied. for meat: Heb. to eat and grudge: or, if they be not satisfied, then they will stay all night
16
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryUnto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. This concluding verse returns to themes introduced earlier, forming an inclusio (bookend structure) with the psalm's opening. "Unto thee, O my strength" (uzzi, עֻזִּי) addresses God as "my strength, my power, my might." This contrasts with enemy strength (v.9) and God's power (v.16). David's strength isn't his own but derived from God. What David possesses as strength is actually God Himself.
"Will I sing" (azammerah, אֲזַמֵּרָה) uses the word for singing praise with musical accompaniment. This is the same word from 57:7 and throughout the Psalms describing musical worship. Even having described mortal danger from violent enemies, David commits to worship. Singing isn't contingent on favorable circumstances but flows from covenant relationship with God regardless of circumstances.
"For God is my defence" (ki-Elohim misgabbi, כִּי־אֱלֹהִים מִשְׂגַּבִּי) repeats exactly the phrase from verse 9. Misgav means high tower, fortress, secure elevated place. The repetition emphasizes this central truth: God Himself is David's fortress. Not fortifications David builds, not armies David commands, not strategies David devises, but God Himself functioning as impregnable defense.
"And the God of my mercy" (Elohei chasdi, אֱלֹהֵי חַסְדִּי) concludes by repeating the phrase from verse 10. "God of my covenant love" emphasizes God's committed, faithful, loyal love toward David. This covenant commitment guarantees God's protective action. The verse ends where verse 10 began, forming a circular structure that emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness as the foundation for everything.
The entire psalm thus moves from urgent cry for deliverance (v.1-2) through description of enemies' violence (v.3-7), to confident trust in God (v.8-10), to appeal for divine judgment (v.11-15), to commitment to praise (v.16-17). This pattern—lament to trust to praise—characterizes biblical faith. Circumstances may be dire, but covenant relationship with the faithful God transforms fear into confidence and suffering into worship.
"Will I sing" (azammerah, אֲזַמֵּרָה) uses the word for singing praise with musical accompaniment. This is the same word from 57:7 and throughout the Psalms describing musical worship. Even having described mortal danger from violent enemies, David commits to worship. Singing isn't contingent on favorable circumstances but flows from covenant relationship with God regardless of circumstances.
"For God is my defence" (ki-Elohim misgabbi, כִּי־אֱלֹהִים מִשְׂגַּבִּי) repeats exactly the phrase from verse 9. Misgav means high tower, fortress, secure elevated place. The repetition emphasizes this central truth: God Himself is David's fortress. Not fortifications David builds, not armies David commands, not strategies David devises, but God Himself functioning as impregnable defense.
"And the God of my mercy" (Elohei chasdi, אֱלֹהֵי חַסְדִּי) concludes by repeating the phrase from verse 10. "God of my covenant love" emphasizes God's committed, faithful, loyal love toward David. This covenant commitment guarantees God's protective action. The verse ends where verse 10 began, forming a circular structure that emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness as the foundation for everything.
The entire psalm thus moves from urgent cry for deliverance (v.1-2) through description of enemies' violence (v.3-7), to confident trust in God (v.8-10), to appeal for divine judgment (v.11-15), to commitment to praise (v.16-17). This pattern—lament to trust to praise—characterizes biblical faith. Circumstances may be dire, but covenant relationship with the faithful God transforms fear into confidence and suffering into worship.
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Historical & Cultural Context
The psalm's structure reflects a well-established pattern in Israel's worship tradition. Lament psalms typically moved from crisis to confidence, from plea to praise, modeling faith's journey through trouble. This pattern wasn't merely literary device but theological instruction—teaching believers how to process fear, danger, and suffering through covenant relationship with God.
The emphasis on God as 'strength' resonates throughout David's story. As a shepherd boy facing Goliath, David declared: 'The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine' (1 Samuel 17:37). David's strength wasn't physical prowess but God's empowerment. Throughout his life, whether facing Philistines, Saul's persecution, or Absalom's rebellion, David's strength was consistently God's enabling power.
The title 'God of my mercy' reflects the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7). God promised David an eternal dynasty, declaring: 'My mercy shall not depart away from him' (2 Samuel 7:15). This covenant guarantee provided unshakeable foundation for David's confidence. Even when circumstances threatened David's life and throne, God's covenant commitment remained constant. The Davidic covenant ultimately finds fulfillment in Christ, David's descendant who reigns forever.
For Israel throughout its tumultuous history—invasion, exile, subjugation by foreign powers—Psalm 59 provided prayer language during persecution. When powerful enemies rose up against vulnerable Israel, God's people echoed David's cry for deliverance and his confidence in the God of covenant love. The psalm taught that appropriate response to danger isn't merely strategic planning or military preparation but crying out to the covenant-keeping God.
Early Christians facing Roman persecution found this psalm particularly meaningful. When imperial power declared Christianity illegal, when believers were hunted and martyred, they sang psalms as acts of defiance and faith. Singing 'God is my defence' in Roman prisons or facing lions in arenas was revolutionary testimony—proclaiming that the God of covenant love provides security even when earthly security is stripped away. Their willingness to die singing demonstrated that God was indeed their strength, defence, and covenant love.
The emphasis on God as 'strength' resonates throughout David's story. As a shepherd boy facing Goliath, David declared: 'The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine' (1 Samuel 17:37). David's strength wasn't physical prowess but God's empowerment. Throughout his life, whether facing Philistines, Saul's persecution, or Absalom's rebellion, David's strength was consistently God's enabling power.
The title 'God of my mercy' reflects the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7). God promised David an eternal dynasty, declaring: 'My mercy shall not depart away from him' (2 Samuel 7:15). This covenant guarantee provided unshakeable foundation for David's confidence. Even when circumstances threatened David's life and throne, God's covenant commitment remained constant. The Davidic covenant ultimately finds fulfillment in Christ, David's descendant who reigns forever.
For Israel throughout its tumultuous history—invasion, exile, subjugation by foreign powers—Psalm 59 provided prayer language during persecution. When powerful enemies rose up against vulnerable Israel, God's people echoed David's cry for deliverance and his confidence in the God of covenant love. The psalm taught that appropriate response to danger isn't merely strategic planning or military preparation but crying out to the covenant-keeping God.
Early Christians facing Roman persecution found this psalm particularly meaningful. When imperial power declared Christianity illegal, when believers were hunted and martyred, they sang psalms as acts of defiance and faith. Singing 'God is my defence' in Roman prisons or facing lions in arenas was revolutionary testimony—proclaiming that the God of covenant love provides security even when earthly security is stripped away. Their willingness to die singing demonstrated that God was indeed their strength, defence, and covenant love.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to address God as 'my strength' rather than merely acknowledging He possesses strength, and how does this reflect dependence versus independence?
- How does the psalm's circular structure—beginning and ending with God as 'defence' and 'God of my mercy'—emphasize covenant faithfulness as the foundation for faith?
- Why does David commit to sing 'unto' God rather than merely 'about' God, and how does this indicate worship is fundamentally relational rather than merely expressive?
- How can believers today move from the urgent cry of verse 1 to the confident praise of verse 17, and what does this progression teach about processing trouble through faith?
- In what ways does recognizing God as both 'defence' (protection from enemies) and 'God of my mercy' (covenant relationship) provide comprehensive security—both external protection and internal assurance?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 8 wordsעֻ֭זִּי1 of 8
“Unto thee O my strength”
H5797strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
אֲזַמֵּ֑רָה3 of 8
“will I sing”
H2167properly, to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, i.e., play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in so
כִּֽי4 of 8
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהֵ֥י5 of 8
“and the God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֱלֹהֵ֥י7 of 8
“and the God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
חַסְדִּֽי׃8 of 8
“of my mercy”
H2617kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Psalms 59:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Psalms 59:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge