A Strong Tower

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.” (Proverbs 18:10)

A contemporary praise song is built on this verse. The song says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe.” This is built directly on the New International Version translation of the verse.

Two questions come to mind when thinking about this verse. First, what is the meaning of the phrase “the name of the Lord?” Hebrew names generally referred to some kind of personality characteristic or a parental hope. For example, the name “Abram” means “Exalted Father,” while “Abraham” means “Father of Multitudes.” We understand the LORD’s name to mean “I Am.” The name Jesus means “God’s Salvation.” So, the character or nature of God is salvation, power, righteousness, holiness, and so much more.

The character of God is like a strong tower or fortress that someone can go to and be safe. The need for safety is a primary human need. This particular safety, however, is not so much physical as it is spiritual. The idea seems to be that in the midst of a world where so much evil abounds, we find a safe place from the onslaught of that evil in our personal, faith relationship with the Lord. Turning to Him in a world of evil is like running into a strong tower that no evil can penetrate. He protects us from evil. When we pray, “Deliver us from evil,” we are in fact running to this Strong Tower. We trust Him for the victory over evil.

Father, We thank You that in You we have victory over evil through You. Amen.