Psalm 61
Title
לַמְנַצֵּ֬חַ עַֽל נְגִינַ֬ת לְדָוִֽד
1Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer. 2From the end of the earth, I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy. 4I will dwell in your tent forever. I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah. 5For you, God, have heard my vows. You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 6You will prolong the king’s life. His years will be for generations. 7He shall be enthroned in God’s presence forever. Appoint your loving kindness and truth, that they may preserve him. 8So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may fulfill my vows daily.
Introduction
Psalms 61
David, in this psalm, as in many others, begins with a sad heart, but concludes with an air of pleasantness - begins with prayers and tears, but ends with songs of praise. Thus the soul, by being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itself. It should seem David was driven out and banished when he penned this psalm, wether by Saul or Absalom is uncertain: some think by Absalom, because he calls himself "the king" (Psa 61:6), but that refers to the King Messiah. David, in this psalm, resolves to persevere in his duty, encouraged thereto both by his experience an by his expectations. I. He will call upon God because God had protected him (Psa 61:1-3). II. He will call upon God because God had provided well for him (Psa 61:4, Psa 61:5). III. He will praise God because he had an assurance of the continuance of God's favour to him (Psa 61:6-8). So that, in singing this psalm, we may find that which is very expressive both of our faith and of our hope, of our prayers and of our praises; and some passages in this psalm are very peculiar.
To the chief musician upon Neginah. A psalm of David.
Cross-references: Ps 61:6 · Ps 61:1 · Ps 61:4 · Ps 61:5