The Book of Psalms

Psalm 61

Psalm LXI · Vol. II, pp. 1025–1026

1 David fleeth to God in prayer upon his former experience. 4 He voweth perpetual service unto him, because of past, and in prospect of future mercies.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

To the chief musician upon ^aNeginah, A psalm of David.

1 Hear my^b cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

B.C. cir. 1021 or 1058.

a Ps.4. title.

b Ps.4.1; 5.1,2; 64.1; 80.1; 130.2. Phi.4.6,19.

2 From^c the end of the earth¹ will I cry unto thee, when ^dmy heart is overwhelmed: lead me to ^ethe Rock that is higher than I.

c Ps.42.6. 1 Ti.2.8.

1 End of the earth.—From the 'sorrows of death,' the end of all that dwell on the earth, Ps.116.3,4,8.

d La.3.65. Ps.iii.-v. xlii. xliii.; 54.11; lv. cii. cxliii.

e Pr.18.10. Ps.18.46; 91.1-16; 92.15; 46.1,11; ver.3.

3 For^g thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

g 2 Co.1.10. Is.46.3,4. Pr.18.10.

4 I^h will abide in thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust² in the covert of thy wings.³ Selah.⁴

h Ps.27.4; 42.2,8,11; 91.2,4; 57.1; 63.7.

2 Or, make my refuge.

3 The wings of the cherubim overshadowing the mercy-seat, Ex.37.9. He.9.5.—C.

4 See note on Ps.3.2.—C.

5 For thou, O God, ⁱhast heard my vows: thou hast given me ^jthe heritage of those that fear thy name.

i Ps.21.4; 66.13,14; 56.12; 116.14; 6.9.

j Ps.16.5-7. 1 Co.3.22.

6 Thou wilt prolong the king's life;⁵ and his years as many generations.⁶

5 Heb. Thou shalt add days to the days of the king, Ps.71.9,18; 21.5-7.

6 Heb. as generation and generation.

7 He shall abide ^kbefore God for ever: O prepare ^lmercy and truth, which may preserve him.

k Ps.56.13; 68.3; 27.4; 41.12. Lu.1.32.

l Ge.24.27; 32.10. Mi.7.20. Ps.40.11; 43.3; 57.3. Pr.20.28.

Vol. II, p. 1026

8 Soⁿ will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

A.M. cir. 2983 or 2946. B.C. cir. 1021 or 1058.

n Ps.59.16,17; 56.12; 66.12-15; 116.14-19; 119.106.

Notes

Ver. 1. That this is a prophetic prayer of the Messiah cannot be doubted, when the description of his immortal person and reign, ver. 6, 7, are considered. Of no other can they be spoken—of him they are literally true, therefore to him they infallibly belong. C.

Ver. 2. This is the prayer of an exile, far from home, and far from God's sanctuary. If written by David, as is probable, it must have been during Absalom's rebellion. Even then, when in trouble and in imminent danger, his faith in God does not desert him. Sustained by it he rises above temporary calamities and predicts his triumphant return to his home, and concludes with the noble declaration, 'So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever; that I may daily perform my vows.' P.——Higher than I. He that was 'in the form of God,' and who 'counted it not robbery to be equal with God,' having taken 'the form of a servant, and humbled himself,' uses these words, sustained by 'the joy set before him,' Phi. 2. 6-11; He. 12. 2. C.

Reflections.—Often are the saints overwhelmed with their sense of sin, their troubles, temptations, and fears. But whatever we be, and in whatever condition, a throne of grace and a prayer-hearing God are at hand to apply to. Jesus, the establishing and protecting Rock, is near; and his Word and Spirit are ready to lead us to him. And every former experience of protection or deliverance ought to encourage our flight to his refuge. Our trusting to his promises, perfections, and providences, and our cordial worship of him here, will issue in our being for ever with him in his mansions of glory above.—God hears our prayers, regards our vows, and will provide for us everything good. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. Since King Jesus for ever lives, for ever sits enthroned amidst mercy and truth, we may confidently expect to live and reign with him in everlasting felicity and praise. Let then the vows which we have made be conscientiously performed; and let praising of God and paying of our vows be our daily employment.