Psalms 61

Psalms 61:1

Psalm 61: The Rock That Is Higher Than I David had a wonderful relationship with the Lord. To him God was: . . . a living bright Reality, More present to faith’s vision keen Than any earthly object seen. More dear, more intimately nigh Than e’en the closest earthly tie. Author unknownEspecially in times of danger, when the situation seemed utterly hopeless, he had learned to cast his burden on the Lord and leave it there. Here he is in another of those cliff-hanging predicaments. The pressure of circumstances wrings from his heart a prayer that has seldom been surpassed for sheer poignancy and articulateness. It has become the timeless language of thousands of God’s people as they have passed through persecution, heartache and suffering because it says what they feel but could never express so well. 61:1 Into the throne room of the universe comes the familiar voice of David: Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.God’s heart is delighted. The childlike faith of His servant assures instant audience with the Sovereign. 61:2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed.The psalmist is not literally at the end of the earth, but he is literally in a place of extremity where safety and deliverance seem remote, where life ends and death begins. Physically and emotionally he is spent, but he knows that the throne of grace is only a breath away, so he draws near to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. “Distance,” someone has said, “is meaningless and no extremity of life effective in blocking prayer.” Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.A true spiritual instinct teaches David that he needs a rock for protection, that the rock must be higher than himself, and that he needs divine guidance to reach it. The Lord, of course, is the Rock (2Sa_22:32); the metaphor is never used of any mere man in the Bible. The rock must be someone greater than man; otherwise man can never find shelter in it. This points to the deity of Christ. (And incidentally the rock must be cleft to provide a hiding place from the enemy.) Finally, David acknowledges that he does not have the wisdom or strength to direct his own steps, so he asks the Lord to lead him to Himselfthe Rock of ages. 61:3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.These words confirm that God is the Rock. David had proved Him to be his trustworthy refuge and a tower of strength into which the righteous can run for safety (Pro_18:10). What He has been, He will be. 61:4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. SelahPrayers like this cannot fail to touch the throne of God! Such tender affection and simple trust could never be refused. No wonder that God called David a man after His own heart (1Sa_13:14). The expression “the shelter of Your wings” may be an allusion to the wings of the cherubim which overshadowed the blood-sprinkled mercy seat. 61:5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. The word heritage or inheritance is applied in the OT to the land of Canaan (Exo_6:8), the people of Israel (Psa_94:5), the Word of God (Psa_119:111), children in a family (Psa_127:3), immunity from harm (Isa_54:17), and finally to the tabernacle or temple (Jer_12:7). The last named is probably the primary meaning here since the preceding verse mentioned God’s tent and alluded to the cherubim. Today, we would think of the heritage of those who fear God’s name as eternal life (Col_1:12). 61:6, 7 You will prolong the king’s life, His years as many generations. He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him! It is interesting that in these two verses, David slips from the first person to the third. Interestingbecause while he was still no doubt referring to himself and to the covenant God made with him (2 Sam. 7), his words are more appropriate for another King. If we apply the words to David, they can only be understood as requesting long life for himself and the perpetuation of his kingdom. But applied to the Lord Jesus, they are literally fulfilled: His life was prolonged endlessly, in spite of persecution (Heb_7:16). His years will endure to all generations (Heb_1:12). He will be enthroned forever before God (Heb_1:8). Steadfast love and faithfulness will watch over Him, like bodyguards (Psa_91:1-16). Even the ancient Jewish comment in the Targum says that the King Messiah is in view here. 61:8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows.And so the Psalm that opened in extremity closes in serenity. David has reached the Rock that is higher than himself, and is so grateful that he determines to sing the praises of the Lord continually, paying his vows of worship, love, and service. He will not be like those who make extravagant vows when the pressure is on, then quickly forget them when the crisis is past. He will not be one who “leaps in prayer but limps in praise.” Psalms 61 inspired this lovely hymn: O sometimes the shadows are deep, And rough seems the path to the goal; And sorrows, sometimes how they sweep Like tempests down over the soul! Refrain: O then to the Rock let me fly, To the Rock that is higher than I; O then to the Rock let me fly, To the Rock that is higher than I. O sometimes how long seems the day, And sometimes how weary my feet; But toiling in life’s dusty way, The Rock’s blessed shadow, how sweet! O near to the Rock let me keep, If blessings or sorrows prevail, Or climbing the mountain way steep, Or walking the shadowy vale. Erastus Johnson