“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalm 18:2)

What a testimony given by David to his God! In this single verse, there is a sevenfold ascription of praise to the Lord for His great salvation. Each testimony can be appropriated also by all who trust Him.

1. My rock: The word used here does not mean a stone or even a boulder but a mighty monolith, immovable and impregnable.
2. My fortress: This word refers to a great bulwark—a stronghold. The Hebrew word is essentially the same as Masada, the high butte where the Jews resisted the Roman armies after the destruction of Jerusalem.
3. My deliverer: Our God is able to deliver, even from the fiery furnace, the den of lions, and from the armies of Saul.
4. My strength: This is another word often translated “rock,” this time a rugged, craggy one, most appropriate as a symbol of great strength.
5. My buckler: This was a small, handheld, movable shield.
6. The horn of my salvation: This striking Old Testament symbol is even repeated in the New Testament (Luke 1:69) and applied to the coming Savior, referring either to the “horns of the altar” where fleeing sinners could cling for refuge or to the fighting horns of a strong beast.
7. My high tower: Here the word is not for a man-made tower but for a natural, high, topographic eminence, suitable both for watching and for defense.

The great promises of salvation and security in Christ are timeless. The words that brought such hope to David are still a comfort to believers today. He is still “the God of all grace” to all who trust Him (1 Peter 5:10). HMM