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Psalm 71:3
Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
1In you, LORD, I take refuge. Never let me be disappointed.
2Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me. Turn your ear to me, and save me.
3Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5For you are my hope, Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth.
Notice
The word “always” makes the plea for refuge a plea for lasting access to God, even while the speaker still needs rescue from danger.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What would you want to bring to a refuge you could always enter?
Write on thisWhat do you notice about asking for rescue while calling God “my rock and my fortress”?
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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 91:9Because you have made the LORD your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,Both passages name God as a refuge, a place to go and dwell rather than a shelter used once.
Psalm 91:2I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”Both speakers call God their refuge and fortress, expressing trust in the one they depend on for safety.
Psalm 91:11For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.Psalm 71 asks God to command rescue; Psalm 91 describes God putting angels in charge to guard someone.
Psalm 90:1A Prayer by Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place for all generations.The refuge available always in Psalm 71 shares the enduring shelter of God's dwelling place for all generations in Psalm 90.
Nahum 1:7The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.Both passages describe God as a refuge amid trouble, using the language of a fortress or stronghold.
Proverbs 18:10The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.The rock of refuge and the strong tower both picture safety sought by going to God.
1 Samuel 2:2There is no one as holy as the LORD, for there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God.Both passages call God a rock; Samuel's passage adds that no other rock compares with him.
Deuteronomy 33:27The eternal God is your dwelling place. Underneath are the everlasting arms. He thrust out the enemy from before you, and said, ‘Destroy!’Both passages describe God as a place of shelter, with Psalm 71 asking for rescue and Deuteronomy recounting an enemy's removal.
2 Samuel 22:2and he said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;Both speakers name God as their rock and fortress, linking these images of strength with deliverance.
Isaiah 33:16he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure.Both passages use rocks and a fortress as images of defense, though Isaiah also speaks of food and water.
Revelation 7:2–3I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the …The link is limited to authority amid danger: one asks for God's saving command; the other describes angels empowered to harm.
Ezekiel 9:6Kill utterly the old man, the young man, the virgin, little children and women; but don’t come near any man on whom is the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” Then …The psalm asks for a saving command; Ezekiel records a command to kill that also forbids harming marked people.
Where this verse fits
Anxiety or panic. fear for the future. wanting a steady prayer habit.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Asking God for rescue is consistent with trusting him. The speaker still needs saving when he names God as his rock and fortress.
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).