Psalms 61
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Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6 Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 61:1-8
Lead Me to the Rock
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.
1Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
4Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 61:1-8
Psalm 61
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.
1Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
2From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
4I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
5For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6Increase the days of the king’s life,
his years for many generations.
7May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
8Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
and fulfill my vows day after day.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
Let's apply the first two verses of this Psalm to our spiritual life. Maybe you are walking under a blazing sun and through a desert that has made your heart faint and exhausted. Do you feel like you won't be able to keep on living unless you find some relief? The Rock that you are desperately searching for that will give you shade and save you is God. Not only that, He is also your shelter and your tower of strength. I think of a shelter as something that protects me from a storm, including the storms of stress and loss that affect us all. Also I think of a strong tower as a structure that is built to protect me against enemies who are coming against me. I need a refuge designed for protection in order to survive them.
Where can I find this Rock of Salvation, this Shelter in the time of storm, this Mighty Fortress? David testifies that it is in the Tabernacle--dwelling in God's presence. Is this Refuge for me? It is for anyone who accepts Christ's blood, sprinkled on the mercy seat, under the shadow of the cherubim wings in the Sanctuary above.
Marla Samaan Nedelco
Adjunct Professor
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, Tennessee USA (as of this writing)
