Bible Strands
Psalms 91:2
I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses Yahweh directly in first person, declaring a personal vow of trust positioned between dwelling in the Most High's shelter (v. 1) and receiving deliverance from snare and plague (v. 3).
The words — מְצוּדָתִי (metzudati, "my stronghold") is a rare word, appearing only here and in Psalms 18:2, denoting a fortified citadel rather than a generic shelter. Paired with מַחְסִי (machasi, "my refuge"), it moves from concealment to active defense.
The thread — Psalms 18:2 reuses both "refuge" and "stronghold" in the same first-person formula; Proverbs 18:10 compresses the image into "a strong tower" the righteous run to; Isaiah 26:3 ties the trust to the outcome of perfect peace.
Why it lands — The opening verb אֹמַר ("I will say") makes trust a deliberate act of speech directed at God, not a passive state of mind; the verse asks the reader to name their dependence aloud rather than assume it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Cross-references
- Psalms 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.
- Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
- Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
- 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.”
- Psalms 142:5 I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
- Psalms 62:5 Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him.
- Psalms 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.
- Psalms 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.
- Psalms 14:6 You sinners frustrate the plans of the oppressed, yet the LORD is their shelter.
- Psalms 91:9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling—my refuge, the Most High—