Psalms 61:7

7 (60-8) He abideth for ever in the sight of God: his mercy and truth who shall search?

Psalms 61:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 61:7

He shall abide before God for ever
Or "sit" F2; or "may he sit". Being raised from the dead he was received up to heaven into the presence of God, and sat down at his right hand; where he abides for ever, a Priest upon his throne, having an unchangeable priesthood, ( Hebrews 7:24 ) ;

and prepare mercy and truth, [which] may preserve him;
which, if literally understood of David, is a prayer that the Lord would show him favour and kindness, and perform his promises to him, whereby his life would be preserved from the plots and, conspiracies of his enemies, and his kingdom be established; or that he might be exalted to exercise mercy towards his subjects, and administer justice, or execute the judgment of truth among them; which would make for the preservation of his person, and the support of his throne and government, ( Proverbs 20:28 ) . But as the words may be applied to the Messiah, they are to be understood, not of the preservation of his corporeal life while here on earth; but either of the preservation of his people, in whom he lives, through the mercy and truth of God, expressed in the exertion of his power, by which they are preserved unto the heavenly kingdom and glory; or of the security of his kingdom, which not being of this world, is not supported by worldly power and policy, but in a spiritual manner, and by spiritual means; such as mercy, or "grace and truth"; that is, the doctrines of grace and truth, which came by Christ, and are preached by his ministers, and are the means of continuing, promoting, and preserving his kingdom and interest in the world, Or the words may be rendered, "may mercy and the truth of manna keep thee"; the true manna, Christ; see ( John 6:32 ) ; or "mercy and truth, as the manna, keep thee" F3; as that was kept in the golden pot, ( Exodus 16:33 ) ; or rather as that kept and sustained the Israelites in the wilderness.


FOOTNOTES:

F2 (bvy) "sedebit", Tigurine version, Vatablus, Musculus, Cocceius, Michaelis; so Ainsworth; "vel sedeat", Vatablus, Gejerus, Amama.
F3 Vid. Hackman. Praecidan. Sacr. tom. 1. p. 71.

Psalms 61:7 In-Context

5 (60-6) For thou, my God, hast heard my prayer: thou hast given an inheritance to them that fear thy name.
6 (60-7) Thou wilt add days to the days of the king: his years even to generation and generation.
7 (60-8) He abideth for ever in the sight of God: his mercy and truth who shall search?
8 (60-9) So will I sing a psalm to thy name for ever and ever: that I may pay my vows from day to day.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.