The Fortress of Salvation

Psalm 28

David is returning to a familiar theme: his complete dependence on God and his keen sense of justice. He begins with a petition for God to hear his prayer and then calls on him to pour out justice on the wicked. He ends with assurance that God has heard his prayer and is the strength of the king and the nation.
David uses some metaphors/similes to describe the strength of God: rock, my strength, my shield, a fortress of salvation, shepherd. I resonate with the fortress of salvation. It evokes images of building forts in the living room and in the backyard; secret places of peace, safety, security and adventure. Unlike my chair and blanket forts, God provides a place of true security. There is nothing that can penetrate his defenses. When I am found in God, I am comletely safe and can have utter confidence. The other image that resonates with me is the image of shepherd. This is another common image that David uses but in this case it stands out because of all the other images that David uses of shields, fortresses, rocks and strengths. The image of shepherd is usually a very tender image in my mind. Here, David reminds me that God the Shepherd is a strong shepherd. He is a warrior who will do battle on behalf of his sheep. He guides and directs his sheeps and protects them. The reason that the image of Shepherd is such a tender one is because in the presence of the Shepherd, I am completely secure and at peace. Nothing can harm me. I can trust him implicitly.