The Hebrew word metsudah applies to mountain summits, ideal sites for impregnable castle strongholds. King Herod built his winter palace, Masada (from the same Hebrew word), on a 1,300-foot butte. In AD 73, it took thousands of Roman legionnaires five months to build a siege wall and a ramp to penetrate the compund, which 960 Jews had occupied. When David called God “My fortress,” he was likening Him to a mountain refuge or stronghold.
My fortress (Metsudati) in the Hebrew text of Ps. 18:2.
My Fortress in Hebrew:
Metsudati
Strong’s Concordance number: 4686b
Bible references: 2 Sam. 22:2; Pss. 18:2; 31:3; 71:3; 91:2; 144:2
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)
A similar name of God is My strong fortress. He is also likened to a stronghold and a refuge.
