In Your Strength
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
The Hebrew Word עֹז oz
“Oz” is a kind of strength that we can rely on. This Hebrew word is used 92 times in the Old Testament. The first use of it is in Moses’s song after they crossed the Red Sea.
Exodus 15:1–4 ESV:
1 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength [oz] and my song, and he has become my salvation [similar to Jesus’s name, Yeshua]; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt [lift high] him. 3 The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name. 4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.
Sal Arico — I Will Lift You High
What does “strength” mean in “the Lord is my strength [oz]?” God’s strength brings deliverance. His strength is great and it performs mighty miracles.
1 Chronicles 16:26– NET:
26 For all the gods of the nations are worthless, but the Lord made the heavens. 27 Majestic splendor emanates from him, he is the source of strength [oz] and joy. 28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the nations, ascribe to the Lord splendor and strength [oz]! 29 Ascribe to the Lord the splendor he deserves! Bring an offering and enter his presence! Worship the Lord in holy attire!
Praise is one of our spiritual vitamins. When we are praising God, somehow our problems seem small in comparison to God’s strength.
Chris Tomlin — Who You Are to Me
Psalm 21:1 ESV:
O Lord, in your strength [oz] the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!
The Peshitta Old Testament reads “…how greatly he leaps for joy!” Unlike most kings, David rejoiced in God’s strength, not his own. The Hebrew phrase translated “in your strength” sounds a little like our English term, bazooka. God’s strength is a weapon far stronger than a bazooka.
The Hebrew word picture for oz means to see or experience the weapon.
God’s strength is so strong that it ends up being a weapon in order to deliver people.
Psalm 21:13 ESV:
Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength [oz]! We will sing and praise your power.
Psalm 28:7– ESV:
7 The Lord is my strength [oz] and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. 8 The Lord is the strength [oz] of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
We have to stay connected to God. That’s what trust is all about. We have to trust Him and let Him help us.
Psalm 46:1 ESV:
God is our refuge and strength [oz], a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 59:9 ESV:
O my Strength [oz], I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.
Psalm 59:16–17 ESV:
16 But I will sing of your strength [oz]; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 17 O my Strength [oz], I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
Philippians 4:13 APNT:
I find strength for everything in Christ who strengthens me.
It’s not that I can do it, but I find string in Christ.
Ephesians 6:10 APNT:
From now on, my brothers, be strong in our Lord and in the immensity of his power.
Ephesians 3:16 AMPCE:
May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
God is your strength! His strength— עֹזoz —is not a pretend-strength like the Wizard of Oz.
God made the heavens; He can help us today.
Scripture References
Scripture quotations marked (AMPCE) taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from The NET Bible® Copyright © 1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.netbible.com. All rights reserved.
See Also:
Strength Will Rise as we Wait Upon the Lord
From the Acts Now Fellowship Website:
I Love You Lord My Strength audio teaching
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