What does it mean to be a refuge? Using Psalm 31:1 as our basis, the term here 'CHASAH' is translated as a 'in...do I take refuge', or 'in... do I put my trust'. So this is an active term, although the descriptive term used in the statement 'God is our refuge' appears in other Psalms (9:9, 46:1, etc.). The term refuge refers to a shelter, a safe place. The phrase really encompasses what the Christian life is about - putting our trust in God, for salvation, as Lord, and as Sovereign.
He is our Refuge...
Who leads, guides, and redeems us for His Name's sake...Who stores up abundant goodness for us [Ps 31]
Who forgives us and surrounds us with steadfast love [Ps 32]
Who in power created the world... He has abundant power to be our Help and Shield [Ps 33]
Who answers our petitions, redeems us, and protects us from condemnation (as Saviour) [Ps 34]
Who sees all, and fights for us [Ps 35]
Who shows us steadfast love, and takes us under the shadow of His wings (a reference to a hen who will protect her chicks under her wings, even if costs her life) [Ps 36]
Who gives us our desires and establishes our way... Who prevents us from being utterly cast down when we fall... Who delivers us from the wicked [Ps 37]
In Persecution [Ps 37]
In times of darkest despair, suffering for our iniquity [Ps 38]
In times when everyone around us seems against us [Ps 39]
Who lifts us up to praise Him again, and renews our delight when we are sunk in miry clay [Ps 40]
Who cares for the poor, and those who help the poor [Ps 41]
In times when our best friends betray us [Ps 41]
How great is our God in Whom we trust!
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
A Mighty Fortress is our God... Martin Luther (translated)
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