King James Bible
"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."
David begins with three defensive metaphors drawn from military experience—rock suggests an immovable foundation, fortress implies a place of refuge under siege, and deliverer indicates active rescue from danger. These images establish God as both stable protection and dynamic savior, likely reflecting David's years fleeing from Saul. The psalmist shifts from external fortifications to internal empowerment, declaring God as the source of his personal strength. The commitment to trust connects the preceding metaphors to lived faith, making this not merely poetic description but a declaration of active dependence. The final triplet mixes personal armor (buckler/shield), animal imagery of power (horn), and architectural defense (high tower). The horn particularly evokes both strength and victory in Hebrew poetry, while the high tower suggests elevation above enemy reach—together painting God as comprehensive protection in battle.