Psalms 71:3. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
If David wrote this Psalm after the rebellion of his wicked son Absalom, I think there is an instructive illustration here. You remember that, when the troops went out from Mahanaim to fight with Absalom, David commanded the three captains of the host, Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom." They might slay his followers, but he commanded them to spare him. Alas, David’s command was ineffectual, for Joab slew Absalom; but God’s command was certain to be obeyed, so the psalmist wrote, "Thou hast given commandment to save me," with the full assurance that he would be saved; and all God’s people can say to him, "Thou hast commanded angels and men, ‘Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm;’" and each believer can say to him, "Thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress."
Psalms 71:3. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
If David wrote this Psalm after the rebellion of his wicked son Absalom, I think there is an instructive illustration here. You remember that, when the troops went out from Mahanaim to fight with Absalom, David commanded the three captains of the host, Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom." They might slay his followers, but he commanded them to spare him. Alas, David’s command was ineffectual, for Joab slew Absalom; but God’s command was certain to be obeyed, so the psalmist wrote, "Thou hast given commandment to save me," with the full assurance that he would be saved; and all God’s people can say to him, "Thou hast commanded angels and men, ‘Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm;’" and each believer can say to him, "Thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress."