Psalms 61

Psalms 61:1-8

Safe under God’ s Protection Psalms 61:1-8 This psalm was probably composed at the time of Absalom’ s rebellion, when David was a fugitive from the Tabernacle that he loved. There are two stanzas. Prayer, Psalms 61:1-4 The king was only across the Jordan, yet it seemed the end of the earth. He was at the end of human help. In overwhelming floods trouble poured all around, but in the distance he perceived the rock that towered above the waters. If he could but reach it, he would be safe. What rock is this save the Rock of Ages, that was cleft for us! We cannot reach or climb it by ourselves, but need to be led and lifted thither. And God answers, “ I will put thee.” See Exodus 33:22. Confidence, Psalms 61:5-8 The psalmist quotes the great assurance of 2 Samuel 7:12-16, and turns it into prayer. Faith presents God’ s pledges to Himself, and affirms her confidence in their fulfillment. Thus we advance from step to step on the predestined road, knowing that Loving-Kindness and Truth have gone before us, to prepare the way of our steps and to discover themes for endless praise.

The rock that is higher than I Neginah implies that the Psalm was intended for singing to instruments. It was evidently composed while the tabernacle was standing (Psalms 61:4), and after David had received the promise of the everlasting kingdom (Psalms 61:6-7). Yet he was manifestly passing through a time of great distress. Delitzsch is, therefore, probably right in fixing its date at the time of Absalom’s rebellion and in heading it, “Prayer and Thanksgiving of an expelled king on his way back to his throne.” It is a precious gem.

Psalms 61:1.My prayerHow earnest it is!–my cry!

Psalms 61:2.The end of the earth is any place of extreme sorrow or depression. It is equivalent to the uttermost of which Hebrews 7:25 speaks. We are never really far off from God. But, owing to depression and physical weakness and the oppression of our foes, we may feel ourselves to be so.

My Rock! What rock is this, save the Rock of Ages, cleft for us? And yet we cannot climb up into its clefts. We need the hand of Divine grace to lift us thither and keep us there. “I will put thee” (Exodus 33:22).

Psalms 61:3. A shelter! A strong tower! What God has been, He will be.

Psalms 61:4. In Thy tabernacle forever If permitted to return, David purposed to abide forever in the sacred shrine. But everywhere God pitches a pavilion for us. These are the outspread wings of the shechinah (Psalms 36:7). Ah, what a heritage is here! (Ephesians 1:3).

Psalms 61:6-7. His years as many generations Words which can only be fulfilled in their entire wealth of meaning in the King of kings.

Psalms 61:8. I will sing praise (Psalms 5:3; Philippians 4:6).