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Psalm 31:3
For you are my rock and my fortress, therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. In you, LORD, I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in your righteousness.
2Bow down your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock, a house of defense to save me.
3For you are my rock and my fortress, therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.
4Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my stronghold.
5Into your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, LORD, God of truth.
Notice
The rock and fortress are also the guide: David’s plea for direction rests on who God is and on the honor of his name.
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Where do you need God to be both a fortress and a guide today?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 23:3He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.Both psalms connect God’s guidance with his name’s sake; Psalm 23 names the paths as paths of righteousness.
Psalm 109:21But deal with me, GOD the Lord, for your name’s sake, because your loving kindness is good, deliver me;Both prayers appeal to God for his name’s sake, asking him to act as guide or deliverer.
2 Samuel 22:2and he said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;Both texts name the LORD as rock and fortress, expressing personal trust in him as a place of defense.
Psalm 143:10–11Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.Both prayers ask God to lead, grounding that request in a personal confession that he is their God and refuge.
Psalm 25:11For your name’s sake, LORD, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.God’s name’s sake grounds both requests: guidance in Psalm 31 and pardon for great iniquity in Psalm 25.
Luke 1:79to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”Both passages speak of guidance: David asks God to lead him, and Luke describes feet guided into the way of peace.
John 16:13However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He …Guidance is the shared thread: David asks God to guide him, while Jesus says the Spirit of truth will guide into truth.
Isaiah 49:10They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them, for he who has mercy on them will lead them. He will guide them by springs of …Both passages join guidance with care: God is David’s fortress, and Isaiah describes God leading his people by springs of water.
Nehemiah 9:12Moreover, in a pillar of cloud you led them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way in which they should go.David asks God to lead him; Nehemiah recounts God leading his people with cloud by day and fire by night.
Jeremiah 14:7Though our iniquities testify against us, work for your name’s sake, LORD; for our rebellions are many. We have sinned against you.Both prayers ask the LORD to act for his name’s sake; Jeremiah’s plea also includes confession of the people’s sins.
Nehemiah 9:19yet you in your manifold mercies didn’t forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud didn’t depart from over them by day, to lead them in the way; …God’s guidance joins these passages: David asks for it, and Nehemiah recounts its continuance in the wilderness through cloud and fire.
Joshua 7:9For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and will surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. What will you do for your …Both prayers appeal to God’s name amid danger, making the honor of his name central to the plea.
Where this verse fits
A big decision. fear for the future. wanting a steady prayer habit.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Needing direction does not make your trust empty. David names God as his fortress while still asking to be led; his confidence rests in God’s character.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).