Psalm 59:9 I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.

◄ Psalm 59:9 ►

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

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

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

Berean Standard Bible
I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.

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

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

New American Standard Bible
Because of his strength I will watch for You, For God is my refuge.

NASB 1995
Because of his strength I will watch for You, For God is my stronghold.

NASB 1977
Because of his strength I will watch for Thee, For God is my stronghold.

Legacy Standard Bible
Because of his strength I will watch for You, For God is my stronghold.

Amplified Bible
O [God] my strength, I will watch for You; For God is my stronghold [my refuge, my protector, my high tower].

Christian Standard Bible
I will keep watch for you, my strength, because God is my stronghold.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will keep watch for You, my strength, because God is my stronghold.

American Standard Version
Because of his strength I will give heed unto thee; For God is my high tower.

Contemporary English Version
You are my mighty fortress, and I depend on you.

English Revised Version
O my strength, I will wait upon thee: for God is my high tower.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
O my strength, I watch for you! God is my stronghold, my merciful God!

Good News Translation
I have confidence in your strength; you are my refuge, O God.

International Standard Version
My Strength, I will watch for you, for God is my fortress.

Majority Standard Bible
I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.

NET Bible
You are my source of strength! I will wait for you! For God is my refuge.

New Heart English Bible
Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, for God is my high tower.

Webster's Bible Translation
Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defense.

World English Bible
Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, for God is my high tower.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
O my Strength, to You I take heed, "" For God [is] my tower—the God of my kindness.

Young's Literal Translation
O my Strength, unto Thee I take heed, For God is my tower -- the God of my kindness.

Smith's Literal Translation
His strength for thee will I watch: for God my height.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
I will keep my strength to thee: for thou art my protector:

Catholic Public Domain Version
I will guard my strength toward you, for you are God, my supporter.

New American Bible
My strength, for you I watch; you, God, are my fortress,

New Revised Standard Version
O my strength, I will watch for you; for you, O God, are my fortress.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
To thee shall I give praise, O God, for thou art my defense.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
God, I shall praise you, because you are the place of my refuge, oh, God!

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Because of his strength, I will wait for Thee; For God is my high tower.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I will keep my strength, looking to thee; for thou, O God, art my helper.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Deliver Me From My Enemies
…8But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations. 9I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress. 10My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 62:2
He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken.

Psalm 62:6
He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken.

Psalm 91:2
I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 94:22
But the LORD has been my stronghold, and my God is my rock of refuge.

Psalm 18:31
For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

Psalm 46:1
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Psalm 61:3
For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy.

Psalm 71:3
Be my rock of refuge, where I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.

Psalm 144:2
He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer. He is my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Isaiah 26:4
Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”

2 Samuel 22:3
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Jeremiah 16:19
O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress, the nations will come to You from the ends of the earth, and they will say, “Our fathers inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols of no benefit at all.

Treasury of Scripture

Because of his strength will I wait on you: for God is my defense.

his strength.

Psalm 18:1,1,2
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength…

Psalm 27:1,14
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? …

Psalm 46:1
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

God

Psalm 59:17
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

Psalm 62:2
He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

defence [heb.

Psalm 9:9
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 20:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

Psalm 46:7
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

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Psalm 59

1. David prays to be delivered from his enemies
6. He complains of their cruelty
8. He trusts in god
11. He prays against them
16. He praises God

Berean Study Bible

O my Strength
The phrase "O my Strength" is a direct address to God, acknowledging Him as the source of power and might. In Hebrew, the word for "strength" is "עֹז" (oz), which conveys not only physical power but also the strength of character and moral fortitude. This term is often used in the Psalms to describe God's ability to protect and sustain His people. Historically, the Israelites frequently found themselves in situations where they were outnumbered or outmatched by their enemies, and they relied on God's strength to deliver them. This phrase is a reminder for believers to depend on God's power rather than their own, recognizing that true strength comes from Him.

I will keep watch for You
The act of keeping watch implies vigilance and anticipation. In the Hebrew context, the word "watch" (שָׁמַר, shamar) means to guard, protect, or observe carefully. This reflects a posture of active waiting and readiness, akin to a watchman on the city walls looking out for signs of danger or the arrival of a messenger. Spiritually, this phrase encourages believers to remain alert and expectant for God's intervention in their lives. It suggests a relationship of trust and hope, where one is constantly looking to God for guidance and deliverance.

for You, O God
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between the psalmist and God. The use of "O God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) is a reverent acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and divinity. Elohim is a plural form, which in the Hebrew language often denotes majesty and fullness of power. It is a reminder of God's supreme authority over all creation. The psalmist's direct address to God highlights the intimacy and personal nature of their faith, encouraging believers to approach God with both reverence and familiarity.

are my fortress
The imagery of a fortress (מִשְׂגָּב, misgab) conveys a place of safety, refuge, and protection. In ancient times, a fortress was a stronghold that provided security against enemies. This metaphor is used throughout the Psalms to describe God's protective nature. For the believer, God is a spiritual stronghold, offering protection from the trials and tribulations of life. This phrase reassures Christians that in times of trouble, they can find safety and peace in God's presence, much like a fortress shields its inhabitants from external threats.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) His strength.--This gives no intelligible meaning, and Psalm 59:17 shows that the ancient versions (and some MSS.) are right in reading "my strength" (vocative). The first two words of the next verse must also be brought back to this: "My strength, on Thee let me wait. For God is my fortress, God of my grace (or mercy)," i.e., my gracious or merciful God.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - Because of his strength. There is no "because of" in the original, and the reading, "his strength" (עזּו), is doubtful. Several manuscripts have "my strength" (עזּי), and this reading was followed in all the ancient versions. Most modern critics prefer it, and translate, O my strength, as in ver. 17. Will I wait upon thee; rather, I will wait upon thee. For my God is my Defence; or, my High Tower (Revised Version).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

I will keep watch
אֶשְׁמֹ֑רָה (’eš·mō·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

for You,
אֵלֶ֣יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

O my strength;
עֻ֭זּוֹ (‘uz·zōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5797: Strength, might

for You,
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

O God,
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

are my fortress.
מִשְׂגַּבִּֽי׃ (miś·gab·bî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4869: A secure height, retreat, stronghold

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OT Poetry: Psalm 59:9 Oh my Strength I watch for you (Psalm Ps Psa.)