61:6 61:6

Psalms 61:7

61:8 61:8

Bible Versions

He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, [which] may preserve him.
He shall abide {H3427}{H8799)} before {H6440} God {H430} for ever {H5769}: O prepare {H4487}{H8761)} mercy {H2617} and truth {H571}, which may preserve {H5341}{H8799)} him.
May he be enthroned in God's presence forever! Appoint grace and truth to preserve him!
May he sit enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness to guard him.
He shall abide before God for ever: Oh prepare lovingkindness and truth, that they may preserve him.

Psalms 61:7 is a prayer of King David, likely uttered during a time of great distress or exile, expressing confidence in God's eternal preservation and steadfast character. This verse beautifully blends personal petition with prophetic insight into the enduring nature of divine promises.

Context

Psalm 61 opens with David crying out to God from "the end of the earth" (Psalms 61:2), indicating a period of severe difficulty, possibly during Absalom's rebellion or another exile. He seeks refuge in God, who has always been his "strong tower from the enemy" (Psalms 61:3). Verse 7 focuses on the king – David himself, but also looking forward to a greater King – and the assurance that God will sustain him through His attributes.

Key Themes

  • Divine Preservation: The core message is God's unwavering commitment to preserve His anointed. David prays for this preservation, trusting in God's character rather than his own strength.
  • Eternal Reign and Presence: The phrase "He shall abide before God for ever" carries significant weight. While it refers to David's desire for a long and stable reign, it also points to the eternal covenant God made with David's house, ultimately fulfilled in the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:33).
  • God's Attributes as Preservers: David's prayer, "O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him," highlights two foundational attributes of God: His steadfast love and His faithfulness. These are not abstract concepts but active forces through which God sustains His people and His promises.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "mercy" and "truth" are central to understanding this verse:

  • Mercy (Chesed): This term signifies God's steadfast love, covenant loyalty, and unfailing kindness. It's more than just pity; it's a deep, faithful commitment. When David prays for chesed, he is appealing to God's covenant faithfulness to His promises.
  • Truth (Emet): This word denotes faithfulness, reliability, and firmness. It speaks to God's unchangeable character and the certainty of His word. Together, chesed and emet often appear to describe the very nature of God and the foundation of His throne (Psalms 89:14).

Practical Application

Psalms 61:7 offers profound encouragement for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Faithfulness: Like David, we can appeal to God's unchanging character. In times of uncertainty or distress, our hope is not in our own abilities but in God's steadfast love and truth to preserve us.
  • Prayer for Divine Attributes: We can pray that God's mercy and truth would go before us and preserve us in our daily lives, guiding our steps and upholding us through challenges.
  • Hope in the Eternal King: This verse reminds us that while earthly leaders and kingdoms are temporary, the reign of God's Anointed One, Jesus Christ, is eternal. His kingdom is founded on grace and truth, offering ultimate security and preservation to all who believe.
Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 40:11

    ¶ Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

  • Genesis 24:27

    And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I [being] in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

  • Psalms 41:12

    And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

  • Psalms 57:3

    He shall send from heaven, and save me [from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

  • Proverbs 20:28

    ¶ Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

  • Luke 1:33

    And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
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