The Hebrew verb savav means to turn, go around, surround, or encircle. It is used of physical movement (turning, marching around Jericho), of armies encircling a city, of God surrounding His people, and of trouble encircling the afflicted. Its 160+ appearances span military, liturgical, and devotional contexts.
Savav in military contexts describes the Israelites marching around Jericho (Joshua 6) — a worship procession that became a weapon. The same verb describes enemies surrounding the Psalmist (Psalm 22:12, 16) — but God is the one who truly savav His people. "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people" (Psalm 125:2). This encircling God is both warrior and shepherd. The Song of Songs uses savav for the lover's joyful circling of the beloved. The theological movement from "enemies surround me" to "God surrounds me" traces the arc of lament to trust.