he called for Queen Esther. He said, “The Jews have killed 500 men in the fortress of Susa alone, as well as Haman’s ten sons. If they have done that here, what has happened in the rest of the provinces? But now, what more do you want? It will be granted to you; tell me and I will do it.”

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

Psalm 27

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

The Lord gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.

Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.

You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.

The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble.

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.

for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.

Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

But the Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide.

He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. He makes the nations submit to me.

The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.

The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.

Hyenas will howl in its fortresses, and jackals will make dens in its luxurious palaces. Babylon’s days are numbered; its time of destruction will soon arrive.

But now you are put to shame, city of Sidon, for Tyre, the fortress of the sea, says, “Now I am childless; I have no sons or daughters.”

The Lord held out his hand over the sea and shook the kingdoms of the earth. He has spoken out against Phoenicia, ordering that her fortresses be destroyed.

these are the ones who will dwell on high. The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance.

Cyrus, the Lord’s Chosen One

This is what the Lord says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again.

Jeremiah’s Prayer of Confidence

Lord, you are my strength and fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble! Nations from around the world will come to you and say, “Our ancestors left us a foolish heritage, for they worshiped worthless idols.