What Does Psalm 59:17 Mean in the King James?
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
God is both the singer’s strength and a refuge lifted beyond the threat, so the song begins before the danger is gone.
THE MEANING
God is your strength and your high refuge, so your safety is located in a place the threat cannot reach. Your song rises from the faithful love you receive while the threat is still in view.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that praise must wait until danger is over or that protection depends on your own force.
THE ROOT
עֻזִּי
ʿuzzi
GROWS FROM
עזז
ʿ-z-z
Be strong; prevail.
English “strength” can sound like an inner resource the singer must summon, but עֻזִּי names God as “my strength.” The same seed describes what is strong or fierce, so this strength carries force that can stand against pressure.
ALSO GROWS
ʿoz: Strength, might.
עֹז
This noun gives the sense of “my strength” in the opening address.
ʿaz: Strong, fierce.
עַז
This adjective shows that the root can name force able to withstand resistance.
מִשְׂגַּבִּי
misgabi
GROWS FROM
שגב
s-g-b
Be high, elevated, or inaccessible.
“Defence” can sound like a shield meeting an attack; מִשְׂגָּב carries the image of a refuge raised high and beyond reach. The verse pictures safety as elevation from the threat’s grasp, not only as a counterstrike.
ALSO GROWS
sagab: Be high or inaccessible; set on high.
שָׂגַב
The root verb makes the refuge’s height part of how it protects.
nisgav: Lofty, exalted, inaccessible.
נִשְׂגָּב
This related form carries the same elevation that gives “defence” its deeper image here.
חַסְדִּי
ḥasdi
GROWS FROM
חסד
ḥ-s-d
Faithful, loyal love; kindness expressed through steadfast commitment.
The word behind “mercy” carries faithful love, not only pity for weakness. The closing phrase ties the singer’s song to the love received from God, even while danger remains in view.
ALSO GROWS
ḥesed: Faithful love, steadfast kindness.
חֶסֶד
This is the same word in its base form, showing what the singer calls “my mercy.”
ḥasid: A faithful or devoted person.
חָסִיד
This related form describes someone marked by the same loyal bond that grounds the verse’s closing phrase.
THE PATTERN
When God is named as strength and refuge, praise can rise while trouble remains.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.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.And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.THE THREAD
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.“My high tower” translates the same Hebrew word, מִשְׂגָּב (misgav), that stands behind “my defence” here. Psalm 18:2 opens the image further by placing that raised refuge alongside rock, fortress, and deliverance.
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