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Psalms 61

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1¶ To the chief Musician upon Neginah, [A Psalm] of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

2From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.

3For thou hast been a shelter for me, [and] a strong tower from the enemy.

4I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

5¶ For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given [me] the heritage of those that fear thy name.

6Thou wilt prolong the king's life: [and] his years as many generations.

7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, [which] may preserve him.

8So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.

Psalms 61:1-4 Verses 1-4

David begins with prayers and tears, but ends with praise. Thus the soul, being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itself. Wherever we are, we have liberty to draw near to God, and may find a way open to the throne of grace. And that which separates us from other comforts, should drive us nearer to God, the fountain of all comfort. Though the heart is overwhelmed, yet it may be lifted up to God in prayer. Nay, I will cry unto thee, for by that means it will be supported and relieved. Weeping must quicken praying, and not deaden it. God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we are. This rock is Christ. On the Divine mercy, as on a rock, David desired to rest his soul; but he was like a ship-wrecked sailor, exposed to the billows at the bottom of a rock too high for him to climb without help. David found that he could not be fixed on the Rock of salvation, unless the Lord placed him upon it. As there is safety in Him, and none in ourselves, let us pray to be led to and fixed upon Christ our Rock. The service of God shall be his constant work and business: all must make it so who expect to find God their shelter and strong tower. The grace of God shall be his constant comfort.

Psalms 61:5-8 Verses 5-8

There is a people in the world that fear God's name. There is a heritage peculiar to that people; present comforts in the soul, earnests of future bliss. Those that fear God have enough in him, and must not complain. We need desire no better heritage than that of those who fear God. Those abide to good purpose in this world, who abide before God, serve him, and walk in his fear; those who do so, shall abide before him for ever. And these words are to be applied to Him of whom the angel said, the Lord shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and of his kingdom there shall be no end, Lu 1:32. God's promises, and our faith in them, are not to do away, but to encourage prayer. We need not desire to be better secured than under the protection of God's mercy and truth. And if we partake of that grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ, we may praise him, whatever be our outward circumstances. But renewed experience of God's mercy and truth towards his people in Christ, is the main matter of our joy in him, and our praise unto him.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Historical, contextual, and verse-level study notes for deeper biblical exploration.

Psalms 61:1-8 Neginah--or, Neginoth (see on Ps 4:1, title). Separated from

his usual spiritual privileges, perhaps by Absalom's rebellion, the Psalmist prays for divine aid, and, in view of past mercies, with great confidence of being heard. 1-3. From the end--that is, places remote from the sanctuary (De 28:64).

Psalms 61:2 Neginah--or, Neginoth (see on Ps 4:1, title). Separated from

heart is overwhelmed--literally, "covered over with darkness," or, "distress." to the rock--(Ps 18:2; 40:2). higher than I--which otherwise I cannot ascend.

Psalms 61:3 Neginah--or, Neginoth (see on Ps 4:1, title). Separated from

shelter ... and strong tower--repeat the same sentiment.

Psalms 61:4 Neginah--or, Neginoth (see on Ps 4:1, title). Separated from

I will abide--So I desire to do (compare Ps 23:6). trust in the covert, &c.--make my refuge, in the shadow (compare Ps 17:8; 36:7).

Psalms 61:5 Neginah--or, Neginoth (see on Ps 4:1, title). Separated from

the heritage--or, part in the spiritual blessings of Israel (Ps 21:2-4). vows--implies prayers.

Psalms 61:6-7 Neginah--or, Neginoth (see on Ps 4:1, title). Separated from

the king--himself and his royal line ending in Christ. Mercy and truth personified, as in Ps 40:11; 57:3.

Psalms 61:7 Neginah--or, Neginoth (see on Ps 4:1, title). Separated from

abide before God--literally, "sit as a king in God's presence," under His protection.

Psalms 61:8 Neginah--or, Neginoth (see on Ps 4:1, title). Separated from

Thus for new blessings will new vows of praise ever be paid. PSALM 62

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Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Psalm 61:1, 2

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. / From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Being Steadfast Psalm 61:3

For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy.

Church: Tabernacle Psalm 61:4

Let me dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

Faith: Exemplified Psalm 61:2, 4, 6, 7

From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. / Let me dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah / Increase the days of the king’s life; may his years span many generations.

God: Guide Psalm 61:2

From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

God: Preserver Psalm 61:3, 6

For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy. / Increase the days of the king’s life; may his years span many generations.

God's Name Psalm 61:8

Then I will ever sing praise to Your name and fulfill my vows day by day.

Prayer: Importunity In Psalm 61:1, 2

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. / From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalms: Afflictions Psalm 61:1

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.

Shelter Psalm 61:2–4

From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. / For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy. / Let me dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

Vows: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Psalm 61:5, 8

For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the inheritance reserved for those who fear Your name. / Then I will ever sing praise to Your name and fulfill my vows day by day.

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Bible Dictionary

Related Dictionary Terms

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Prayer Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with… Guard (1.) Heb. tabbah (properly a "cook," and in a secondary… Dwell Tents were in primitive times the common dwellings of men.… Earth (1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation… Heart According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not… Selah A word frequently found in the Book of Psalms, and… David Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen… Tent (1.) Heb. ohel (Gen. 9:21, 27). This word is used… Rock (Heb. tsur), employed as a symbol of God in the… King Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested… Call (1.) To cry for help, hence to pray (Gen. 4:26).… Vows Voluntary promises which, when once made, were to be kept… Life Generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also…