My Rock & My Redeemer

(Psalm 19:14)

Mike Johnson

Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”  Consider the last part of the verse where the Psalmist refers to God as his strength and Redeemer.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines the Hebrew word translated “strength” (NKJV) as “rock; rocky wall; cliff; rocky hill; mountain; rocky surface; boulder.”  Many translations translate the original word as “rock” (i.e., O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer).  A husband, for example, may refer to his wife as “his rock.”  He would be pointing out his wife is his “strength;” she provides stability for the family.  God is our rock; He provides us with strength and with safety; He is our refuge. Psalm 18:2 says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:31 says, “For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?” Psalm 46:1 points out, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Also, the Psalmist, thought to be David, refers to God as his “Redeemer.”  The word used here means to “buy back,” and when applied to God, it means a deliverer from sin, death, or danger.  David probably could recall many occasions where God had delivered him, but he may not have understood the details regarding the actual price of redemption.  The cost would be Jesus, who God sent, to die for the sins of people on the cross. Thus, in the ultimate sense, Jesus Christ is our Redeemer.  Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Job said, in Job 19:25, “For I know that my redeemer lives….”

Is God your Rock and Redeemer today?  If not, you should make him that.