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Psalms 61

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A Prayer for Refuge in Distress 1–4

1
Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer. ​
2
From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. ​
3
For thou hast been a refuge for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
4
I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever: I will take refuge in the covert of thy wings. [Selah ​

Confidence in God's Eternal Covenant 5–8

5
For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. ​
6
Thou wilt prolong the king’s life; His years shall be as many generations. ​
7
He shall abide before God for ever: Oh prepare lovingkindness and truth, that they may preserve him. ​
8
So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, That I may daily perform my vows. ​

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Psalms 61

Verse 1

Hear my cry, O God — 'Neginah' in the title names stringed music; the plural 'Neginoth' heads Pss 4, 6, 54, 55, 67 and 76. 'Cry' is rinnah, a ringing call, and 'attend' is qashab, to give the ear. The prayer is brief, and v.2 says from where it rises.

Verse 2

the rock that is higher than I — 'Overwhelmed' is ataph, to be wrapped over, as in 'when my spirit was overwhelmed within me' (Ps 142:3). 'Lead' is nachah, the verb of Ps 60:9. The rock (tsur) is the LORD himself: 'The LORD is my rock' (Ps 18:2). The cry comes 'from the end of the earth'.

Verse 4

the covert of thy wings — Sether is a hiding-place, and the 'wings' (kanaph) are the same figure as 'under whose wings thou art come to trust' (Ruth 2:12). 'Abide' is gur, to sojourn as a guest, the verb of 'LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle?' (Ps 15:1). The 'tabernacle' is literally a tent.

Verse 5

the heritage of those that fear thy name — 'Heritage' is yerushah, a possession handed down. The same 'them that fear thee' received the 'banner' in Ps 60:4. 'Vows' (neder) are named here and again in v.8, so the psalm begins its thanks with a vow heard and ends with a vow paid.

Verse 6

the king's life — Literally 'days upon days', with years 'as many generations' (dor). David's own request is answered in Ps 21:4, 'length of days for ever and ever'. The promise of an everlasting throne reaches its fulfilment in Christ, who 'shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever' (Luke 1:32–33).

Verse 7

prepare mercy and truth — 'Prepare' is manah, to appoint or assign, the verb of 'the LORD had prepared a great fish' (Jon 1:17). Here the LORD is asked to appoint 'mercy' (chesed) and 'truth' (emet) as guards, as Abraham's servant found 'his mercy and his truth' (Gen 24:27). 'Abide' is yashab, to sit enthroned.

Verse 8

daily perform my vows — 'Sing praise' is zamar, to make music, and 'perform' is shalam, to pay in full. 'Daily' is literally 'day by day', set against the 'days upon days' of v.6. The paying of vows is the language of Ps 50:14, 'pay thy vows unto the most High', and Ps 65:1, 'unto thee shall the vow be performed'.