Psalms 61
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Neginah--or, Neginoth (see on Psa 4:1, title). Separated from his usual spiritual privileges, perhaps by Absalom's rebellion, the Psalmist prays for divine aid, and, in view of past mercies, with great confidence of being heard. (Psa 61:1-8) From the end--that is, places remote from the sanctuary (Deu 28:64).
Open source ↗Hear my cry, O God,.... Being in distress; and which was vocally expressed with great fervency and importunity; attend unto my prayer; which psalm was made by him, and not for him; inwrought in his heart by the Spirit of God, and put up by him with a true heart and full assurance of faith, and related to his own case in particular. Aben Ezra thinks that the former word designs public prayer, vocally and openly expressed; and that this intends prayer in the heart, or mental prayer; both the Lord hears and attends unto, and is here requested; which is marvellous grace and condescension in him.
Open source ↗Hurled out of the land of the Lord in the more limited sense (Note: Just as in Num 32:29. the country east of Jordan is excluded from the name "the land of Canaan" in the stricter sense, so by the Jewish mind it was regarded from the earliest time to a certain extent as a foreign country (חוצה לארץ), although inhabited by the two tribes and a half; so that not only is it said of Moses that he died in a foreign land, but even of Saul that he is buried in a foreign land (Numeri Rabba, ch. viii. and elsewhere).) into the country on the other side of the Jordan, David felt only as though he were banished to the extreme corner of the earth (not: of the land, cf. Psa 46:10; Deu 28:49, and frequently), far from the presence of God (Hengstenberg). It is the feeling of homelessness and of separation from the abode of God by reason of which the distance, in itself so insignificant (just as was the case with the exiles later on), became to him immeasurably great. For he still continually needed God's helpful intervention; the enveloping, the veiling, the faintness of his heart still continues (עטף, Arab. ‛tf, according to its radical signification: to bend and lay anything round so that it lies or draws over something else and covers it, here of a self-enveloping); a rock of difficulties still ever lies before him which is too high for his natural strength, for his human ability, therefore insurmountable. But he is of good courage: God will lead him up with a sure step, so that, removed from all danger, he will have rocky ground under his feet. He is of good courage, for God has already proved Himself to be a place of refuge to him, to be a strong tower, defying all attack, which enclosed him, the persecuted one, so that the enemy can gain no advantage over him (cf. Pro 18:10). He…
Open source ↗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 will not let thee go except thou bless me." This he will do, 1. Notwithstanding his distance from the sanctuary, the house of prayer, where he used to attend as in the court of requests: "From the end of the earth, or of the land, from the most remote and obscure corner of the country, will I cry unto thee." Note, Wherever we are we may have liberty of access to God, and may find a way open to the throne of grace. Undique ad coelos tantundem est viae - Heaven is equally accessible from all places. "Nay, because I am here in the end of the earth, in sorrow and solitude, therefore I will cry unto thee." Note, That which separates us from our other comforts should drive us so much the nearer to God, the fountain of all comfort. 2. Notwithstanding the dejection and despondency of his spirit: "Though my heart is overwhelmed, it is not so sunk, so burdened, but that it may be lifted up to God in prayer; if it is not capable of being thus raised, it is certainly too much cast down. Nay, because my heart is ready to be overwhelmed, therefore I will cry unto thee, for by that means it will be supported and relived." Note, Weeping must quicken praying, and not deaden it. Is any afflicted? Let him pray, Jam 5:13; Ps. 102, title. II. The particular petition he put up to God when his heart was overwhelmed and he was ready to sink: L…
Open source ↗Pss 61–63 In these royal prayers, the psalmist longs for God’s presence. All three psalms concern themselves with the king’s security. Ps 61 The lamenting psalmist petitions God to protect him and lead him into his presence (61:4-5). He prays for God to extend and protect the king’s rule and makes vows to praise God.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… נְגִינָה (nᵉgîynâh, H5058) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a stringed instrument; by extension, a poem… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… רִנָּה (rinnâh, H7440) — properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout (of joy or grief) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… קָשַׁב (qâshab, H7181) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
Open source ↗קָצֶה (qâtseh, H7097) — an extremity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… עָטַף (ʻâṭaph, H5848) — to shroud, i.e. clothe (whether transitive or reflex.); hence (from the idea of darkness)… נָחָה (nâchâh, H5148) — to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists) צוּר (tsûwr, H6697) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder;… רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗מַחֲסֶה (machăçeh, H4268) — a shelter (literally or figuratively) עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) מִגְדָּל (migdâl, H4026) — a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary
Open source ↗גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… חָסָה (châçâh, H2620) — to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in סֵתֶר (çêther, H5643) — a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense) כָּנָף (kânâph, H3671) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or… סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… נֶדֶר (neder, H5088) — a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יְרֻשָּׁה (yᵉrushshâh, H3425) — something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3373) — fearing; morally, reverent שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,…
Open source ↗יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
Open source ↗יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… מָנָה (mânâh, H4487) — properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to… חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness נָצַר (nâtsar, H5341) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal,…
Open source ↗זָמַר (zâmar, H2167) — play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… עַד (ʻad, H5703) — properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁלַם (shâlam, H7999) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed;… נֶדֶר (neder, H5088) — a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved my distress; show me grace and hear my prayer.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy.
O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy.
Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might!
Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it comes from lips free of deceit.
O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.