Psalms 61 · Scripture Insight Network

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 shall 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.

Commentary (3)

Introduction1

Psalms 61

Matthew HenryENDevotional

Reformed

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.

Verse 11

Psalms 61:1

Matthew HenryENDevotional

Reformed

In these verses we may observe, I. David's close adherence and application to God by prayer in the day of his distress and trouble: "Whatever comes, I will cry unto thee (Psa 61:2), - not cry unto other gods, but to thee only, - not fall out with thee because thou afflictest me, but still look unto thee, and wait upon thee, - not speak to thee in a cold and careless manner, but cry to thee with the greatest importunity and fervency of spirit, as one that w…

Verse 51

Psalms 61:5

Matthew HenryENDevotional

Reformed

In these verses we may observe, I. With what pleasure David looks back upon what God had done for him formerly (Psa 61:5): Thou, O God! hast heard my vows, that is, 1. "The vows themselves which I made, and with which I bound my soul: thou hast taken notice of them; thou hast accepted them, because made in sincerity, and been well pleased with them; thou hast been mindful of them, and put me in mind of them." God put Jacob in mind of his vows, Gen 31:13; G…