Be thou my strong habitation
This is very appropiately said, when David was driven out of his dwelling place, and palace at Jerusalem, by his son, as Kimchi observes. When God's people have no certain dwelling place, which is sometimes their case, they always find one in the Lord; particularly in his heart's love; for he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, ( 1 John 4:16 ) ; and a strong habitation he is: wherefore he is called a strong rock, a strong hold, a strong tower; he is as a wall of fire around his people, a munition of rocks; his salvation is as walls and bulwarks, and his power as a garrison in which they are kept. The psalmist adds,
whereunto I may continually resort;
or "may go into daily" F18, in times of danger and distress, for safety; the name of the Lord being a strong tower, whither the righteous run, and are safe, ( Proverbs 18:10 ) ; and his perfections, his power, faithfulness, lovingkindness, and unchangeableness, being as so many secret chambers, where they may enter into, and hide themselves, till calamities are over, ( Psalms 57:1 ) ( Isaiah 26:20 ) ; and every day indeed for food, for comfort, for refreshment and pleasure, through communion with him; and God in Christ is always to be come at: Christ is the way of access and acceptance; and through his blood, sacrifice, and righteousness, the believer has boldness to enter into the holiest of all, and go up to the seat of God, the throne of his grace; and even to enter into him himself, who has been the dwelling place of his people in all generations, ( Psalms 90:1 ) ;
thou hast given commandment to save me;
either to the ministering angels, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret it, comparing it with ( Psalms 91:11 ) ; or rather to his Son, in the council and covenant of grace and peace; when he enjoined him the salvation of his people, which he readily agreed to, and with which David was acquainted, ( Psalms 40:7 Psalms 40:8 ) ; of this command our Lord speaks, ( John 10:18 ) ( 14:31 ) ; and to which he was obedient, ( Philippians 2:8 ) ; it may respect David's salvation from present trouble, and his assurance of it, believing that the Lord had determined it, and by his mighty power would effect it; see ( Psalms 44:4 ) ;
for thou [art] my rock and my fortress;
see ( Psalms 18:2 ) ( 31:3 ) .