Tsur is used more often, also appearing a lot in the psalms, and often appearing in the same psalm and even the very same sentence as sela. In Psalm 18: 2, for example, where Sela is translated Rock, Tsur is translated strength: "... my God, my strength (tsur) in whom I trust, my shield (māḡēn), my high tower"(miśgāḇ).
Same thing in Psalm 19: 14, where David's prayer ends with the words, ".. oh, Lord (Yahweh), my strength (tsur) and my Redeemer (Gā'al)." In these examples, Tsur seems to be about God's consistent strength and dependability, rather than about protection, but the sense of safety and deliverance often appears in the same sentence.
The writer of Psalm 92: 15 echoes what Moses said in Deuteronomy 32: there is no injustice or unrighteousness in God the Rock; we'll find Him always dependable, even when we reach old age.
I was struck by the fact that the Old Testament followers of God were not narrow or limited in the way they saw Him: they often used several of His names in the same declaration of praise.
Like David in Psalm 18: 46 - "The Lord is alive (Yahweh Hai), blessed be my Rock (Tsur) and let the God of my salvation (Eloha yēša') be exalted."
Or like Hannah in 1 Sam 2: 2, when she proclaims, "There is none holy as the Lord. (Yahweh Qadosh) There is no one like You. Neither is there any Rock like our God." (Tsur Elohim)
These Old Testament believers knew the character and names of their God, and used those names often in their prayers. I had to ask myself: am I, are we so familiar with God's character and so multi-faceted in our prayer and worship, or do we always say, "Lord," as if it were the only name we knew?
So, sela and tsur are used throughout the psalms, and tsur continues to be one of the ways that Old Testament prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Habakkuk, refer to God, our Rock and strength.
But what about ourselves in the 21st Century? Is God the Rock still an important understanding for New Testament believers? Can we still turn to Him for strength and protection today.
The concept of God as our Rock is not found quite as often in the New Testament, but it's hinted at in the parable of the man who built his house upon the rock (Greek: petra), as well as in Matthew 16: 18, when Jesus tells Peter (Greek petros) that the future church will be built upon the rock (Greek: petra) of who Christ is.
Paul makes it even more specific when he writes to the Corinthians about a "spiritual Rock" that travelled with God's people in the wilderness, and explains that, "that Rock was Christ." (1 Cor 10: 4)
So, yes, the idea of God our Rock was understood by the early Christians, and He still wants to be our Rock today. In what ways do you need to depend on Him or trust Him to protect you this week?
