Israel was geographically sandwiched between three great political powers, Egypt, Assyria and Babylon. It was inevitable, then, that, with little resources, they should place their trust in God, the one who had led them through many tribulations in the desert during their liberating journey from Egypt. In expressing their trust in God, they often described him in terms such as we read in today's responsorial Psalm: strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge. Unfortunately, some of these terms, such as fortress, citadel, stronghold, are rather militaristic images, and there was a danger of overstressing God's saving power as military might. Other simpler and more straight-forward images can give us a much better insight into God's relationship with us. When reflection on these images causes the Psalmist to express his love for God or lets the people rejoice in God, as in Psalm 5:11, we are closer to a true appreciation of the meaning of God's strength and power. The ultimate truth of God's power is his love for us, a providential love that keeps us from all harm.