Since we cannot see God, we can only speak about heaven and divine things in human terms. Often the words we use to speak of God are taken from the physical reality of the world. Thus we speak of God seated on a throne, of God's right hand and so on.

Sometimes we have chosen words which reflect something of our inner experience, of our special human needs. One such word is "Rock." Rocks are found in the physical world, and at the same time they signify something abstract: steadiness, firmness, reliability. Thus, the Psalmist frequently uses the word "Rock" as a description of God, almost as a divine name.

There is good reason to believe that "Rock" is a resurrection image: death is like a swamp, a bottomless pit into which we sink. The Psalms often speak of going down into the depths. When we swim in the sea, we make sure we can touch bottom, otherwise we might panic. Similarly in death, we desire to "touch bottom" to be able to feel that whatever the experience of death may be, we are sure to reach safety, a place of firmness, if certainty.