Psalms 71:3

“Be thou my strong habitation, etc.] This is very appropiately said, when David was driven out of his dwelling place, and palace at Jerusalem, by his son, as Kimchi observes. When God’s people have no certain dwelling place, which is sometimes their case, they always find one in the Lord; particularly in his heart’s love; for he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, (<620416>1 John 4:16); and a strong habitation he is: wherefore he is called a strong rock, a strong hold, a strong tower; he is as a wall of fire around his people, a munition of rocks; his salvation is as walls and bulwarks, and his power as a garrison in which they are kept. The psalmist adds, whereunto I may continually…”

“Be thou my strong habitation - Margin, as in Hebrew, “Be thou to me for a rock of habitation.” That is, a rock where I may safely make my abode, or to which I may resort and feel safe. In Psalms 31:2, this is, “Be thou my strong rock, for an house of defense to save me.” The idea is the same. See the notes at that passage, and compare the notes at Psalms 18:2. Whereunto I may continually resort - Where I may take refuge at all times, in all circumstances of danger. Thou hast given commandment to save me - There was some command, or some promise, on which the psalmist relied, or which he felt he might plead as the ground of his appeal. This may refer to some “special” promise or command made…”

“my strong habitation: Heb. to me for a rock of habitation, Psa 31:2, Psa 31:3, Psa 91:1, Psa 91:2; Pro 18:10; Isa 33:16 thou hast: Psa 44:4, Psa 68:28, Psa 91:11, Psa 91:12; Eze 9:6; Rev 7:2, Rev 7:3 my rock: Psa 18:2, Psa 144:2 Psalms 71:4”