Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
The first strophe. The Psalmist's prayer, with confidence of being heard because of the Lord's character toward His trusting people.
Bow down ... - as a majestic Father stooping down His ear for His little child to speak into it all his fears and needs. This verse contains the prayer, Psalms 31:3 its basis.
Strong rock ... house of defense ... - literally, 'a rock of strength ... an house of munitions,' or 'mountain-tops' ( mªtsuwdowt (H4686)), such as David often resorted to when fleeing from Saul (cf. Isaiah 33:16).